Under Western Eyes by Joseph Conrad

Description

Under Western Eyes is a book by Joseph Conrad, first published in 1911. Set against the backdrop of political turmoil in Tsarist Russia, the novel follows the fate of Razumov, a young student whose quiet life is shattered when he is unwillingly drawn into a revolutionary conspiracy. As he navigates a world of secret police, exiled revolutionaries, and betrayals, Razumov struggles with questions of loyalty, identity, and fate. Conrad, himself a Polish-born writer who had experienced Russian imperial oppression firsthand, crafted a story rich in psychological depth and moral ambiguity, reflecting the tensions of early 20th-century Europe. Written in the style of a personal manuscript framed by an English narrator, Under Western Eyes explores themes of surveillance, ideology, and the conflict between individual conscience and political forces. It is often seen as Conrad’s response to Crime and Punishment, but with a perspective shaped by his own experiences of exile and disillusionment. The novel also critiques the Western world’s often naive understanding of Russian affairs, making it a work of historical and political significance.

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