The Secret Agent (ePub)

Joseph Conrad (1857-1924) was a masterful novelist and a central figure in the transition from 19th-century Victorian literature to 20th-century modernism. Born Józef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski in Berdyczów, then part of the Russian Empire (now Ukraine), Conrad was of Polish descent but chose to write his major works in English, a language he acquired only in adulthood. His narrative style and anti-heroic characters have earned him a distinctive place in the annals of literature. Conrad's experiences as a mariner heavily influenced his writing, and his novels often explore themes of existentialism, identity, and the human condition amidst a backdrop of the sea and colonized territories. 'The Secret Agent' (1907), one of his many notable works, stands out for its bleak depiction of terrorism and espionage in London, commenting on anarchism and social instability with a cynical yet intricate plot. Conrad's literary style is characterized by a rich use of language and psychological depth. His other celebrated works include 'Heart of Darkness' (1899), 'Lord Jim' (1900), and 'Nostromo' (1904), which further attest to his status as a significant literary figure who delved into the complexities of morality and individual struggle against the backdrop of an imperially influenced world.