The Secret Agent
by Joseph Conradliterary work· published 1907
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**The Secret Agent: A Simple Tale** is a novel by Joseph Conrad, 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 Secret Agent is one of Conrad's later political novels in which he moved away from his former tales of seafaring. 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 an intellectual disability. Conrad’s gloomy portrait of London depicted in the novel was influenced by Charles Dickens’ *Bleak House*. (Source: [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Secret_Agent))
Adaptations (5)
The Secret Agent has been adapted 5 times, across film, television film, television series, and miniseries, from 1936 to 1996.
Sabotage1936 · film · 76 min · dir. Alfred Hitchcock · IMDb ↗Karl Anton Verloc and his wife own a small cinema in a quiet London suburb where they live seemingly happily. But Mrs. Verloc does not know that her husband has a secret that will affect their relationship and threaten her teenage brother's life.
The Secret Agent1992 · television series · 150 min · IMDb ↗IMDb6.61992 BBC adaptation of the Joseph Conrad novel of 1907 concerning the mostly inactive spy Alfred Verloc, who is ordered by his superior Mr Vladimir to carry out a terrorist act. Verloc reluctantly plans the operation, seeking help from The Professor. Verloc is also an informant for the police and the Assistant Commissioner and Chief Inspector Heat add additional pressure on Verloc and his attempts to carry out his plan. Verloc’s subsequent actions gravely affect his wife who is devoted to her mentally unbalanced brother Stevie.
The Secret Agent1996 · film · 95 min · dir. Christopher Hampton · IMDb ↗In 1880s London, pornographic bookseller Verloc is a double agent for the Russian government, providing information to Chief Inspector Heat about a lazy anarchist organization. In order for the anarchists to be arrested, an act of terrorism must occur. So Verloc decides to set up bombs – which leads to tragedy – not only for himself but also for his family, including wife Winnie and brother-in-law, Stevie.
The Secret Agent? · miniseries · 60 min · IMDb ↗IMDb6.0London, 1886. Unbeknownst to his loyal wife Winnie, Verloc, a Soho store owner, works as a secret agent for a powerful foreign government.
