5 Books like Heart Of Darkness: Exploring The Dark Side Of Humanity

Heart of Darkness, written by Joseph Conrad in 1899, is a highly influential work that explores the dark, murky depths of human nature. Conrad introduces us to Marlow, who, in search of the enigmatic Mr. Kurtz, journeys deep into the heart of Africa. As the voyage moves forward, the protagonist encounters the painful reality of European colonization, along with its inherent moral ambiguities. This confronts Marlow with the age-old question: What does it mean to be truly human?

If you enjoyed the relentlessly harrowing and mysteriously exhilarating aura of Heart of Darkness, we highly recommend these five books that also explore the dark side of humanity:

1. Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Set during an unspecified war, Lord of the Flies tells the story of a group of British schoolboys stranded on an uninhabited island. Initially, the survivors attempt to create order and maintain civility; but as time passes, they succumb to their primal instincts, turning savage in a brutal fight for survival. Golding’s novel exposes the inherent darkness in human nature, challenging the idea that civilization is rooted in morality.

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2. Apocalypse Now: A Novel by Peter Cowie

A powerful counterpart to Conrad’s Heart Of Darkness, Peter Cowie’s novel is inspired by Francis Ford Coppola’s classic film. Captain Benjamin Willard is sent on a harrowing mission to assassinate Colonel Walter E. Kurtz, who has established himself as a self-proclaimed warlord in a remote part of Vietnam. Through its cruel depiction of the war and the blurring lines between sanity and madness, the novel explores the horrors of human nature during a dark period of history.

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3. The Road by Cormac McCarthy

The bleak post-apocalyptic landscape of The Road portrays a father and son’s journey to survive in a world devoid of life, under the constant threat of starvation and cannibalism. In this haunting work, McCarthy delves into the despair that arises from hopelessness, questioning whether humanity can truly endure through such loss and evil.

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4. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky

In Crime and Punishment, we find Raskolnikov, a former student who plans and commits a brutal murder in the name of his warped theories about society and individual greatness. Dostoevsky masterfully weaves a gripping tale of guilt and corruption, exposing the dark side of the human soul as Raskolnikov’s conscience gradually deteriorates.

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5. 1984 by George Orwell

Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984 presents a totalitarian world of perpetual war, where individualism and independent thought are suppressed by omnipotent government surveillance – stripping humanity of its essence. The protagonist, Winston Smith, struggles to find meaning and resist the oppressive regime. The dark atmosphere of 1984 raises questions about the balance between the collective good and individual freedom.

Read or listen to 1984 by buying it on Amazon

These five novels have continued the tradition that Conrad’s Heart of Darkness began – that of analyzing the dark and hidden sides of human nature. Whether you’re seeking to explore the universal themes of humanity or simply wish to be captivated by an intensely thought-provoking work, we recommend diving into these exceptional pieces of literature.