Rating: 
Summary: But each heart knows sorrow after its own kind
Review: Joseph Conrad is one of the most wonderful writers for me (although there are a couple of his novels that I am yet to come to grips with). Often novels give me cause to reflect on my life and my place in the universe, but this one is so personal to me that I wonder if my recommendation can be meaningful to others. You see, the narrator of Under Western Eyes is an English speaking man, an older man, an observer, who becomes a possessor of secret knowledge which reflects on the things he sees taking place around him - of the one holding the secret, of the ones ignorant of it. But the second most important character is a young woman, Natalie Haldin, living away from Russia with her mother (in Geneva). And by chance I have a work-based friendship with a colleague who happens to be a Russian woman (by no means uncomplicated) living away from Russia (in Australia). The last chapter telling of the final meeting between Natalie and the narrator - for quite personal reasons (but it is so well written) was an emotional torment for me, my final meeting has yet to occur - I hope! The most important character in the novel (I discount the narrator, as I would myself, although he is of great importance - you may think the greatest) is a young student, Razumov, who betrays Natalie's brother and then is imposed on by the powers to spy on Russian dissidents in Geneva. There he meets Natalie and others who are totally unaware of his role in Natalie's brother's betrayal and subsequent execution. But it is known that he was a fellow student of Natalie's brother so they are drawn to him. Would Natalie and Razumov become romantically allied? Only if the secret is kept? I will not answer these questions. But I will say that Razumov, weak throughout the novel with the same sort of uncertainties that challenge me, turns out to be the most courageous of characters and, in fact, is afforded one tiny morsel of reward. Conrad is a great user of words although he does say very early on that words are the great foes of reality (page 1). The title of this review is a quote. Here are two more (at the risk of being edited!):
The man who says he has no illusions has at least that one (page 188)
She is also a woman of flesh and blood. There is always something to weigh down the spiritual side in all of us. (page 122)(This is not about Natalie) While the novel may not have the same personal impact for you as it did for me, it is very engaging and rewarding. Typically for Conrad though, the writing is very dense, and for me at least, needed lots of time and reflection.
Rating: 
Summary: A Russian Intrigue
Review: This book presents the problem that many Russians faced during the time of the Czars: to revolt or to meekly accept the harsh realites of autocracy. The principal character Razumov is a quiet philosophy student who gets caught up with the anarchist Haldin. Instead of helping Haldin Razumov goes to the authorities and betrays him.This leads to further complications. Razumov has been appointed as if by fate to become a tool of the autocracy; he has no choice really. He is sent on a mission to Geneva in order to spy on Russian emigres living there.Haldin's mother and sister are living there waiting for word from him. The emigres are grotesque. Eventually Razumov confesses that he is helping the government and is almost beaten to death. In the end Razumov returns to Russia where he is cared for by a servant woman. Conrad suggests, as he does in most of his writings, that our fate is something beyond us and his skill is in showing how that is so
Rating:
Summary: A thoughtful novel
Review: Under Western Eyes is not a light novel but a deep, refelctive study of the Russian intellect and society. This book permitted me to understand what we westerner's often cast of as the "Russian personnality" and the complexity of the historical, social and psychological climate of Russia and the Russians shortly before the Bolshevik revolution. This novel does not ressemble any ohter of Conrad's as it has a strange feeling or atmosphere to it that can barely be grasped. I read it when I was young and I was deeply affected by the people he describes and the locations. A must for anyone interested or related to the Russian nation!
| 
