The Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad Fiction

<p><strong>Speaking of this novel Conrad wrote The origin of The Secret Agent: </strong>subject treatment artistic purpose and every other motive that may induce an author to take up his pen can I believe be traced to a period of mental and emotional reaction. The actual facts are that I began this book impulsively and wrote it continuously. When in due course it was bound and delivered to the public gaze I found myself reproved for having produced it at all. Some of the admonitions were severe others had a sorrowful note. I have not got them textually before me but I remember perfectly the general argument which was very simple; and also my surprise at its nature. All this sounds a very old story now! And yet it is not such a long time ago. . . .</p><p>One of the top books cited following the Sept.11 2001 attacks.</p>