The Secret Agent

Joseph Conrad's dark satire on English society & a Political Novel first published in 1907.The story is set in London in 1886 and deals with Mr Adolf Verloc and his work as a spy for an unnamed country (presumably Russia). The novel is dedicated to H. G. Wells and deals broadly with anarchism, espionage and terrorism. It also deals with exploitation of the vulnerable in Verloc's relationship with his brother-in-law Stevie, who has a learning difficulty. Conrads gloomy portrait of London depicted in the novel was influenced by Charles Dickens Bleak House.