Still looking for a great read? Sign up for our newsletters and never miss a recommendation! Never miss a recommendation!
    • Monthly Favorites
    • Excerpts
    • Giveaways
    • Book Apothecary
    • TBR Time
  • |
    • Articles
    • Videos
    • Author Interviews
    • 8 Great Questions
    • Author Essays
    • Longform
  • |
    • RIF Podcasts​
    • Marlon & Jake Read Dead People
    • The Adaptables
  • |
  • Subscribe

Last Minute Book Report: Heart of Darkness

Comedian Dave Hill hasn't read Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, but that doesn't stop him from giving an imaginative recap.

By Abbe Wright • 4 years ago
Heart of Darkness

As you may (or in Dave Hill’s case), may not remember, Joseph Conrad’s 1899 novella Heart of Darkness is narrated by Charles Marlow, who tells his friends aboard the Nellie anchored in the River Thames about his journey up the Congo River on an ivory trading ship into the heart of Africa. As he regales them with his tales and his obsession with ivory trader Kurtz, the narrative’s theme expresses the idea that there is very little difference between the so-called civilized people and those described as savages and raises important questions about imperialism and racism.

However, after reading the book for 10 minutes, comedian Dave Hill re-tells the plot of the novel—which he calls his “favorite book of all time”—in a very different way. In his version, Marlow is a woman who books herself a well-deserved trip on a cruise ship called the Nellie, which offers shuffleboard and an epic buffet. Kurtz is there, but he’s no longer an ivory trader, he’s a spa owner. As for the rest of Dave Hill’s hysterical summary—well, you’ll just need to watch it below.

 

  • The cover of the book Dave Hill Doesn't Live Here Anymore
    Featured Book

    Dave Hill Doesn't Live Here Anymore

    Dave Hill

    Buy From Penguin Random House
    Also Available From
    Barnes & NobleApple BooksAmazon
    Buy From Penguin Random House
    Also Available From
    Barnes & NobleApple BooksAmazon
     
  • The cover of the book Heart of Darkness and the Congo Diary

    Heart of Darkness and the Congo Diary

    Joseph Conrad

    Buy From Penguin Random House
    Also Available From
    Barnes & NobleBookshop.orgApple BooksAmazon
    Buy From Penguin Random House
    Also Available From
    Barnes & NobleBookshop.orgApple BooksAmazon
     
Read it Forward: Always Directing You To Your Next Great Read

At Read It Forward, we have a healthy obsession with authors, stories, and the readers who love them.

About Us
Affiliate Program Disclosure
Subscribe for Giveaways + Recommendations

Every week we host a new literary giveaway! Enter to win our favorite new reads, bookish goodies, and so much more.

Get weekly book recommendations delivered right to your inbox and find out What We’re Reading.

Subscribe to our Newsletters
Explore
  • Find your Next Book!
  • Essays and More
  • Author Interviews
  • Our Monthly Favorites

Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Copyright ©1995-2021 Penguin Random House. All rights reserved.

[email_signup id="4"]
Great! You've signed up successfully!
We are experiencing an error, please try again.
By clicking Subscribe, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Penguin Random House Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and agree to receive news and updates from Read It Forward and Penguin Random House.