Heart of Darkness (1899) by Joseph Conrad

 *Theme - The horror, the horror…* - Thursday 10 March 2022

READ: Heart of Darkness (1899) by Joseph Conrad

Nick described Heart of Darkness as the longest short book you will ever read. It’s true. Despite its modest length (c100 pages) this dense work is surprisingly hard work. Tristan labelled it both archaic and enlightened. Roland noted that it confronted the other and added he was enthralled whilst simultaneously hating it.

English was Conrad's third language and he learnt it at age 20. The book's dense and challenging, almost poetic feel, apparently in part comes from his struggle with the English language.

Most of us love Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now and were introduced to this as the source novel for that cinematic masterpiece.

It is also autobiographical. Joseph Conrad travelled up the Congo River from one Belgian station to another and, when the captain fell ill, Conrad assumed command. It has that ring of authenticity.

What do Kurtz's enigmatic last words 'The horror! The horror!' refer to? Some thought it most likely a reference to the atrocities Conrad witnessed in Congo under the colonial administration of the Belgians. Others were not so convinced. Either way, the darkness at the heart of the "civilised" colonialists is personified by Kurtz who eventually becomes a murderous tyrant.

One of the most influential books around and, for that alone, it's worth a read however, those coming to it seeking the resonance of Coppola's Vietnam epic, may feel a little underwhelmed.

Nick 7 / Tristan 6 / Nigel 6 / Keith 6 / Roland 7 / Robin 6 / Hamish -

LISTEN: The Downward Spiral by Nine Inch Nails

Music for teenagers… angry, intense, brooding etc. Quite enjoyable in small doses, or is it? Tristan said yes. Keith and Robin said no. Others were somewhere in the middle.

Closer is good, and Hurt is wonderful. But which is the definitive version? Johnny Cash or Nine Inch Nails? 

WATCH: Surge directed by Aneil Karia (Netflix)

We were all impressed by Ben Whishaw’s central performant and the London street scenes. Ben Wishaw is brilliant as the airport security officer unravelling before our eyes as he goes on an odyssey of crazed chaos on the streets of London. 

It's a tense watch, but to what end? Does this commentary on mental illness warrant a feature length film? There's no real narrative arc and it's all very one note. 

Impressive, but ultimately a bit pointless?

Uncut Gems does something similar but is perhaps more impactful?

HBG endorse it: 10 February 2022 -> 10 March 2022

The Puppet Master (Netflix)

The Dripping Pan (Lewes FC ground)

The Lewes Arms (Pub)

Jay Wobble (Live music)

The Caxton Arms (Pub)

Mandy (iPlayer)

I Called Him Morgan (Netflix)

Ghosts (iPlayer)

This is Going To Hurt (iPlayer)

Prisoners of Geography by Tim Marshall (Book)

The Pharmacist (Netflix)

Searching For Italy (iPlayer)

Ukrainian flag

The Godfather (film - back in cinemas for 50th anniversary)

Next time

Next time out we are discussing Tristan's choices….

*Loss of childhood*

READ: Olive Kitteridge (2008) by Elizabeth Strout

LISTEN:  50 Song Memoir (2017) by The Magnetic Fields

WATCH: Rocks (2019) directed by Sarah Gavron (Netflix)