The Secret Agent
by CONRAD, JOSEPH
- Used
- first
- Condition
- First Edition; first issue advertisements dated September, 1907 (although there is at least one copy known with ads dated July,
- Seller
-
Newton, Massachusetts, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
London: Methuen, 1907. First Edition; first issue advertisements dated September, 1907 (although there is at least one copy known with ads dated July, 1907, possibly a freak, which may or may not have been issued earlier). A good copy. Haycraft-Queen cornerstone.
Synopsis
The Secret Agent: A Simple Tale is one of Joseph Conrad’s later novels. Set in London in 1886, the novel tells the story of Adolf Verloc, a member of a largely ineffectual anarchist group who is also a secret agent, and an operation with unforeseen consequences. In his Author’s Note written in 1920, Conrad explains that the plot of the novel was inspired by the Greenwich Bomb Outrage of February 1894. In this event, explosives prematurely detonated in the hands of French anarchist named Martial Bourdin on the grounds of the Greenwich Observatory. What fascinated Conrad the most about the Greenwich Bomb Outrage was the fact that the motives remained a mystery. Through themes of espionage, anarchism, and terrorism based on horrific, but true events, The Secret Agent questions the world's capacity for reason and order in a smart, yet skeptical way. Perhaps this explains why the novel is said to be one of the three most talked-about works of literature in the media immediately after 9/11. The Secret Agent did not sell well initially, but is now considered a classic. The novel is ranked 46th on Modern Library’s “100 Best” English-language novels of the 20th century. The Secret Agent has undergone multiple adaptations for both the stage and the screen. Perhaps most notable is Alfred Hitchcock's 1936 film, Sabotage, loosely based on the novel, though many changes to the plot and characters were made. (Not to be confused with another 1936 Hitchcock film, Secret Agent, based on short stories by W. Somerset Maugham.) Fun fact: The Secret Agent is said to have greatly influenced Theodore Kaczynski, better known as the Unabomber. Kaczynski, who engaged in a nationwide bombing campaign in the US between 1978 and 1995, strongly identified with the Professor, the villain of the novel.
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Details
- Bookseller
- Peter L. Stern & Company, Inc.
(US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 31708P
- Title
- The Secret Agent
- Author
- CONRAD, JOSEPH
- Book Condition
- Used - First Edition; first issue advertisements dated September, 1907 (although there is at least one copy known with ads dated July,
- Publisher
- Methuen
- Place of Publication
- London
- Date Published
- 1907
Terms of Sale
Peter L. Stern & Company, Inc.
Items are returnable for any reason for a full refund. Please inform us within three days of receipt and provide the reason for the return.
About the Seller
Peter L. Stern & Company, Inc.
Biblio member since 2009
Newton, Massachusetts
About Peter L. Stern & Company, Inc.
With more than 35 years experience in the rare book trade, Peter L. Stern and Co., Inc. has established itself as a highly regarded firm of antiquarian booksellers.
Specializing in 19th and 20th century literature, signed and inscribed books, and manuscripts we maintain a high quality inventory. Our shop is located in the heart of Newton Centre where we are open by chance or appointment
In the long-standing tradition of the rare book trade we continue to mail regular catalogues to our customers. We are easily accessible via the MBTA Green Line's D Branch. We travel widely and attend both international and local book fairs.
Specializing in 19th and 20th century literature, signed and inscribed books, and manuscripts we maintain a high quality inventory. Our shop is located in the heart of Newton Centre where we are open by chance or appointment
In the long-standing tradition of the rare book trade we continue to mail regular catalogues to our customers. We are easily accessible via the MBTA Green Line's D Branch. We travel widely and attend both international and local book fairs.
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