222. Heart of Darkness

Heart of Darkness
Joseph Conrad
1902
Around 200 pages

I remember reading this novel during my last week of high school, so I will always have feelings of euphoria and relief attached to this story. Of course, these emotions are quite inappropriate for the actual plot.

Charles Marlow is our narrator, and was previously featured in Lord Jim. While anchored on the River Thames, he entertains his fellow sailors with the story of his voyage up the Congo River. Marlow's fate becomes entangled in the fate of Mr. Kurtz, an old fat guy (which thanks to Brando is how I will forever picture him) who is pretty much the embodiment of Western tyranny.

I never really enjoyed this novella very much, although I am appreciative of Conrad's style and brevity. By now, we have seen quite a few these anti-colonialism adventure novels. And while many still carry an anti imperialism message, they never do much in the way of humanizing the natives. Of course, I know writers can only write what they know, but I just didn't feel like this novel was that revolutionary. Considering all the praise it receives, you would think it would have to be.

Definitely deserving of a place on this List, but I would take it off a high school syllabus as the literary introduction to imperialism. Make everybody read Chinua Achebe instead.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

Joseph Conrad did not receive much praise for the novella when it was published, and didn't consider it a notable work.

Criticized by Chinua Achebe for its offensive depiction of Africans.

UP NEXT: The Wings of the Dove by Henry James. Snore. Luckily I have read this already, so a new review should be up shortly.

221. The Hound of the Baskervilles

The Hound of the Baskervilles
Arthur Conan Doyle
1902
Around 150 pages

I adore anything Sherlock Holmes related, even when his name is only weakly invoked in a flimsy adaptation. I love that fiction is capable of transforming the world in any sense, let alone a subject as bad ass as forensic science. If you are looking for a cozy quarantine read, you can't do better than this.

Sir Charles Baskerville is found dead in the park near his manor, and Sherlock is asked to investigate. According to legend, the area is haunted by a demonic hound, and large pawprints were found near Sir Charle's corpse. Sherlock (and John of course) must uncover the truth before the next in line, Sir Henry Baskerville, suffers the same gruesome fate as well.

There are so many wonderful aspects of this story that I hardly know where to begin. I first read this in 7th grade as assigned reading (we also read "The Speckled Band,"; both are excellent stories obviously but what logic do public schools use in assembling their book lists?). Anyway, I loved it then and I loved it when I revisited it later with the context of his other stories. Sherlock's mind is fascinating, I love the relationship between John and our favorite detective, and the plots are thrilling and unexpected.

I also love the style in which he writes. It might be considered old-fashioned, even in 1902, to use the epistolary format, but I can't get enough of it. Highly recommended.

RATING: *****

Interesting Facts:

One of BBC's 100 most influential novels.

Serialized in The Strand Magazine in 1901.

UP NEXT: Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad.

220. The Buddenbrooks

The Buddenbrooks
Thomas Mann
1901
Around 750 pages

Well, I have officially finished reading all of the library books I hoarded in the Before Times, and am now on a strict ebook diet, which is not at all suitable to my constitution. I think this will prompt me to do some rereads soon, but in the meantime, let's talk about The Buddenbrooks.

The Buddenbrooks: The Decline of a Family is about the Buddenbrooks...in decline. We follow several members of this unfortunate family, including Antonia ("Tony") who is chronically misguided in love, and Christian, the black sheep of the clan.

I typically enjoy sagas that follow the fortunes of one family. We actually have another good one coming up in the not so distant future, The Forsyte Saga. Of course, the key to building these kind of exhaustive narratives is to have dynamic enough characters that readers are willing to wait as things slowly unfold. Luckily, Mann paints a lively portrait of a family doomed to fail because of their own pride and avarice. 750 pages still felt on the excessive side, but I was engaged for the entire length of the novel.

I had some previous experience with Thomas Mann prior to The Buddenbrooks that made me dread seeing his name appear on the List. I am happy to report, however, that this was fairly enjoyable, and he won't make me hate him until Doctor Faustus.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

Published when Mann was 26 years old.

Mann received a Nobel Prize in Literature in 1929, largely because of this novel.

UP NEXT: The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Quarantine means a lot of reading time, so expect to see me back soon! In the meantime, what are your quarantine reads? Are you reading more or less when you are socially distancing?