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Mystery & Thriller· United Kingdom

The Secret Agent

by Joseph Conrad
Aggregate Editorial Score46/100
Guardian 100 Best Novels
Published 1907272 pagesEnglish
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About This Book

Published in 1907, The Secret Agent established Joseph Conrad as one of the defining voices in mystery & thriller. Mr Verloc, a secret agent working for a foreign embassy, is tasked with blowing up the Greenwich Observatory to provoke a crackdown on anarchists. Conrad's political thriller is one of the first great terrorist novels—darkly comic, morally complex, and devastatingly ironic. Themes of terrorism, anarchism, politics run through the work. The book has received recognition from Guardian 100 Best Novels 1907.

Book Details

AuthorJoseph Conrad
Published1907
Country of Origin🇬🇧 United Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Pages272
Category🔍 Mystery & Thriller
ISBN9780140441673
Editorial Score46/100
About the Category

🔍 Mystery & Thriller

Suspenseful fiction built around crime, detection, and hidden truths.

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Country of Origin

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

This book is part of United Kingdom's rich literary tradition.

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Editorial Assessment

Joseph Conrad published The Secret Agent in 1907, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of mystery & thriller from United Kingdom. The book's treatment of terrorism, anarchism, politics, London accounts for much of its enduring reputation. Critics and institutions have consistently placed The Secret Agent among the notable works of its period. Among its recognitions: Guardian 100 Best Novels 1907. Our aggregate score of 46/100 is compiled from 1 editorial sources that range from Nobel and Booker committees to leading literary journals. The appeal of The Secret Agent lies partly in its refusal to offer easy answers. Its exploration of terrorism, anarchism, politics, London is sustained, textured, and genuinely thought-provoking in ways that stay with readers well after the final page. The Secret Agent reflects Joseph Conrad's place in a wider literary tradition. The book's concerns resonate with United Kingdom's broader cultural preoccupations, even as they reach beyond any single national context.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Guardian 100 Best Novels
list · global
190721
✍️
About the Author
Joseph Conrad
United Kingdom
View Author →

Joseph Conrad is a celebrated author from United Kingdom known for influential works of mystery thriller.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Secret Agent about?

Mr Verloc, a secret agent working for a foreign embassy, is tasked with blowing up the Greenwich Observatory to provoke a crackdown on anarchists. Conrad's political thriller is one of the first great terrorist novels—darkly comic, morally complex, and devastatingly ironic.

Who wrote The Secret Agent?

The Secret Agent was written by Joseph Conrad, from United Kingdom. First published in 1907.

What awards has The Secret Agent won?

The Secret Agent has received the following awards and honours: Guardian 100 Best Novels 1907.

Is The Secret Agent worth reading?

The Secret Agent is a book that has earned critical recognition, with an aggregate editorial score of 21/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 1 editorial source. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in terrorism, anarchism, politics.

Where can I buy The Secret Agent?

You can buy The Secret Agent on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is The Secret Agent?

The Secret Agent is classified as Mystery & Thriller. Suspenseful fiction built around crime, detection, and hidden truths.

What country is The Secret Agent from?

The Secret Agent originates from United Kingdom's literary tradition. Explore more books from United Kingdom on our country page.

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