Joseph Conrad

Heart of Darkness Joseph Conrad

This special edition comes with information about the Congo Reform Association, and the world's first international human rights trial in the Congo.

The horror! The horror!

Heart of Darkness is the classic best-selling novella by Polish novelist, Joseph Conrad. In this sobering tale that explores the nature of the human heart, you will journey with Charles Marlowe as he narrates his journey up the Congo River in search of the elusive and mysterious ivory trader, Mr. Kurtz. The story is set in the Congo Free State, notoriously established by King Leopold II of Belgium, who plundered the Congo for the ivory and rubber trade during the great Scramble for Africa. Conrad served a brief stint in the Congo as a steamship captain but left the Congo after suffering from multiple fevers. Heart of Darkness is Conrad's tale that came out of his own personal travels in the Congo. It explores European attitudes and the impact of their presence on their colonial endeavors. In this riveting tale, Conrad raises the question of which is the more savage land: Europe or Africa?

Heart of Darkness explores the issues of colonialism, imperialism, civilization, racism, and freedom.

This special edition contains information about the Congo Reform Association and the first international human rights trial in the Congo.