Heart of Darkness tells the story of Charles Marlow, a steamboat captain, journeying into the depths of the Congo in search of the enigmatic ivory trader, Kurtz. As Marlow ventures deeper into the wilderness, he confronts the horrors of colonial exploitation and the dark, hidden sides of human nature. Joseph Conrad's novella is a haunting examination of the corrupting influence of power and the thin line between civilization and savagery.

Joseph Conrad (1857-1924) was a Polish-British writer, best known for his exploration of complex moral and psychological themes in works such as Heart of Darkness, Lord Jim, and Nostromo. Born in Poland, Conrad spent much of his early life as a sailor, an experience that heavily influenced his writing. Writing in his third language, English, Conrad's prose is renowned for its narrative depth and vivid descriptions.