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genre_fiction_is_literature's review against another edition
4.0
With modern prose, sharp dialogue and subtle humor, The Secret Agent may be Conrad's most accisible work for general audiences, and one which has aged in dog years.
It is rare that a novel functions so well as equal parts storytelling and commentary. Perspectives change quickly, many scenes do not carry the distinction of sharp edges and scenes are suffused in atmospheric blur. This is no traditional espionage thriller, rather a deep exploration into family and loyalty. There is a flashback after the main event that might confuse for a few pages but once the reader is clear on the timeline the book gains linear emotional momentum. ‘Firsts’ in literature can be found throughout.
Recommended to Conrad fans. Do not let the title deter you from investigating.
It is rare that a novel functions so well as equal parts storytelling and commentary. Perspectives change quickly, many scenes do not carry the distinction of sharp edges and scenes are suffused in atmospheric blur. This is no traditional espionage thriller, rather a deep exploration into family and loyalty. There is a flashback after the main event that might confuse for a few pages but once the reader is clear on the timeline the book gains linear emotional momentum. ‘Firsts’ in literature can be found throughout.
Recommended to Conrad fans. Do not let the title deter you from investigating.
cooks4eleven's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
edith_la_lectrice's review against another edition
4.0
One of the free ebooks in my Kobo. It was good. And strange. I liked how it was written, one character per chapter. But not something I would have read if not on my Kobo.
annevdp's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
mc54's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jvitali's review against another edition
3.0
Joseph Conrad is an author that I know will always deliver a solid book, the novels and novellas I have read to date, never disappoint. While on paper, the Secret Agent sounds like a book I would absolutely love (intrigue, mystery, anarchy!) I found the execution to be less successful than his other novels. I felt like I was struggling through the first half of the book and found it never caught my interest. By the time the mystery begins to unfold I was hooked and the ending felt entirely appropriate to the story's trajectory,then again I'm a sucker for a tragic ending.
aretz's review against another edition
3.0
For a Joseph Conrad novel, no where near as bad as Nostromo.
jonfaith's review against another edition
5.0
My best friend Joel has a friend Bob who teaches at Rutgers. Nearly a decade ago, before becoming a scholarly expert on Borat, he stated that in terms of literature he wasn't going to bother with anything written later than 1920; what was the point, he'd quip? I admired his pluck. While I'm not sure he still ascribes to such. Well, for a couple of weeks in 2004 I adhered to the goal. There have been many goals with a similar history and such a sad conclusion: sigh. This was my first effort towards that goal and what an amazing novel it is.
The Secret Agent is the dark reversal of Chesterton's The Man Who Was Thursday. The devices employed are grim and effective. Highly recommended.
The Secret Agent is the dark reversal of Chesterton's The Man Who Was Thursday. The devices employed are grim and effective. Highly recommended.
sahayra's review against another edition
2.0
For me, this book is only OK. The start was very slow, and sometimes hard to follow. I mixed up the characters a lot in the beginning. The last 50 pages were the better part, as they were more exciting. The last chapter I didn't quit understand. I want to give this book another chance, so I'll probably re-read it, but not anytime soon.