Book Description:
Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad is a haunting and enigmatic novella that delves into the darkness of colonialism, human nature, and the fragile boundary between civilization and savagery. The story follows Charles Marlow, a seaman who travels deep into the Congo River basin to find the mysterious ivory trader Kurtz — a man once revered for his ideals but now consumed by power and madness.
As Marlow ventures further into the heart of Africa, he witnesses the brutal exploitation of the land and its people, raising questions about morality, empire, and the very foundations of Western society. The closer he gets to Kurtz, the more he is forced to confront the unsettling truths about imperialism and the potential for evil within every human soul.
Published in 1899, Heart of Darkness is a cornerstone of modern literature, celebrated for its psychological depth, symbolic power, and unflinching critique of European colonialism.