Under Western Eyes
by Joseph Conrad
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Digital Edition available in epub and pdf.
Under Western Eyes (1911) is a psychologically intense novel set against the backdrop of early twentieth-century Russian political unrest. It follows Kyrilo Razumov, a solitary and ambitious student in St. Petersburg whose life is upended when a fellow student, Victor Haldin, confesses to assassinating a government minister and seeks his help. Driven by fear and self-preservation, Razumov betrays Haldin to the authorities, a decision that entangles him in a web of espionage and moral conflict.
Sent to Geneva as a government informant among Russian revolutionaries, Razumov becomes increasingly burdened by guilt, particularly as he grows close to Haldin’s idealistic sister, Natalia. His double life forces him to confront questions of loyalty, identity, and conscience.
Through Razumov’s psychological turmoil, Conrad explores themes of political extremism, betrayal, and the clash between individual morality and oppressive systems, offering a complex meditation on the human cost of ideology and isolation.
Quote from the book—
“The belief in a supernatural source of evil is not necessary; men alone are quite capable of every wickedness.”
― Joseph Conrad, Under Western Eyes
Experience Joseph Conrad’s gripping tale of political intrigue and psychological conflict set in early 20th-century Russia. This digital edition brings the masterful storytelling and atmospheric tension right to your device. Perfect for literature lovers seeking a thought-provoking classic.
Also available in Paperback.
Joseph Conrad (born Józef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski in 1857) was a Polish-British novelist and one of the greatest English-language writers of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. After years at sea in the French and British merchant navies, he settled in England and began writing in his third language. His works, including “Heart of Darkness” and “Lord Jim,” explore imperialism, moral ambiguity, and human isolation. Conrad’s dense, atmospheric prose and psychological insight deeply influenced modernist literature. He died in 1924, leaving a lasting literary legacy. He drew heavily on his maritime experiences to shape his vivid storytelling and themes.
