Under western eyes: a novel

First published in 1911, Joseph Conrad's "Under Western Eyes" is one of the author's finest and most critically acclaimed works. It is the story of a young Russian student named Razumov living in St. Petersburg as revolutionary sentiment is building after the failed uprising in 1905. Razumov has no interest in the revolution when he discovers his friend Victor Haldin, an anarchist who has just committed a political assassination, hiding from the police in his apartment. Haldin calls upon Razumov to help him escape and Razumov must decide whether he will be loyal to his friend or abide by the law. Ultimately self-interested, he turns his friend into the authorities, which directly leads to his death. Razumov soon begins working as a spy for the Russian government and sent to Switzerland, where he is charged with spying on his former friend's sister and mother. When he meets Haldin's sister, Natalia, he quickly falls in love for the first time in his life. Consumed with guilt, Razumov is faced with the ultimate choice between doing what is right and what he desires. A powerful character study in integrity and morality, "Under Western Eyes" remains one of Conrad's most important and thoughtful works. This edition includes a biographical afterword.