Under Western Eyes

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

Under Western Eyes

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

Set in Tsarist Russia, this gripping novel of espionage and political turmoil follows Kirylo Sidorovitch Razumov, a philosophy student who betrays a revolutionary comrade to save his own life. Through a diary format, Conrad explores themes of betrayal, moral corruption, and the crushing weight of autocracy, offering a profound critique of a society where noble aspirations are prostituted to fear and hate.

Summary up to 500 words

Published in 1911, Joseph Conrad's *Under Western Eyes* presents a narrative framed as a diary written by Kirylo Sidorovitch Razumov, a philosophy student at St. Petersburg University. The story opens with the assassination of a prominent autocratic statesman, Mr. de P--, by a revolutionary bomb. Razumov, a quiet and seemingly trustworthy young man, witnesses the event and subsequently betrays his revolutionary friend, Victor Haldin, to the police to avoid suspicion. This act of cowardice, driven by a desire for self-preservation, haunts him deeply. The narrative shifts to Geneva, where Razumov has fled. There, he encounters Victor Haldin's sister, Nathalie, who is devastated by her brother's execution. Razumov is drawn into her grief and the complex web of revolutionary politics, while also interacting with the Haldin family's loyal servant, Tekla. The text reveals the moral decay of the oppressed Russian society, where loyalty is often sacrificed for safety and where the police and revolutionaries alike are depicted as ruthless and corrupt. Razumov's internal conflict intensifies as he grapples with his betrayal. He eventually makes a public confession to a group of revolutionists, seeking redemption but finding himself isolated and despised. The novel delves into the psychological toll of living under a despotic regime, where truth is malleable and individuals are forced to choose between their conscience and their survival. Through Razumov's introspective entries, Conrad examines the nature of courage, the seduction of power, and the tragic consequences of political extremism. The story concludes with a somber reflection on the loss of innocence and the enduring scars of political violence, leaving the reader to ponder the cost of freedom in a world ruled by fear.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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https://www.globalgreyebooks.com/ebooks/joseph-conrad_under-western-eyes.epub

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data/epubs/url-ed39e6467dd65221.epub

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2026-06-30 10:52 UTC

Categories

• Fiction
• Politics