someone who can stand the narrator's dullness.

no, the narrator does not become the charactar, just some fancy reading.

simon vance

not really

It's a shame you get the feeling you're listening to words being read instead of listening to a story.

Incredible story unfolded in a sophisticated mannner. The speaker is superb. Requires undistracted listening. Reflects on various aspects of the human condition. The parallel them with the movie Apocalypse now is obvious. A great movie. A great book.

Heart of Darkness is not my favorite book, so I thought I'd listen to it...it is still not one of my favorites despite a flawless performance by KB.

Description of landscape as it matches the mind of its characters.

The final scene.

No

Well done performance of a great story with classic themes. I shortly afterwards viewed

I've read "Heart of Darkness" many times over the years, for the lushness of the writing and the profundity of the theme. However, hearing Branaugh read it expanded my comprehension and brought out all the nuances. I was on a real adventure with him. And I came away with a much better understanding of Marlowe, the corporate tool -- identifying with "the horror" and yet able to turn it into an entertaining tale shared with cronies on a quiet evening.

Kenneth Branagh's performance in narrating "Heart of Darkness" is outstanding. This novella revolves around an experience in Africa related by one sailor (Marlow) to his fellow seaman while they are waiting for the tide to turn on the river Thames. Branagh takes on the role of the storyteller admirably and brings the tale, with all its fear, suspense and horror, to life. You feel as if you are one of the English seamen listening to Marlow's recount of his amazing adventure on the Congo River in the early years of European colonization.

Branagh does a good job with narrating/performing this story. Heart of Darkness is controversial from a modern perspective, of course - but if you want to listen to it, this is well worth the time. The recording is atmospheric and draws you into the story.

Yes, fun to listen to, this is also a piece many high school, undergraduates, and graduate students study! Great to listen to it in tandem with a focused close reading.

When one starts with an iconic narrative and a classy narrator, there might be some fear of disappointment. If such a fear existed, it should exist no more for this production. It is a fitting addition to a series that promises many treats to come.

The amazing narrative meanders in long slow bends and bolts along the rapids of that infamous Congo river. From the Thames to the ivory hunters retreat the word pictures that populate Conrad's novels carry us away with Marlow to meets Kurtz. From T.S. Eliot to F.F. Coppola we are drawn into the madness, seduced by the unsound methods and appalled by the consequences. How does she love him, Kurtz? What happened inside Marlow's head, so carefully measured before he set out on his fateful expedition? We can only imagine.

Meanwhile, Kenneth Branagh provides us with an insight. His clear and concise diction, so much mother England in the midst of the Darkness, is well paced. The Russian an Kurtz are wonderfully realised. I am less keen on his Swede, but, let's face it, there's not much to like about the Swede on paper, either. Overall, his is a sterling interpretation.

I look forward to others in the series; bring on "Of Mice and Men"!

The story can be disturbing because of widespread ignorance and prejudice but the author seems to be aware of it. That makes the difficult parts interesting.