47 pages • 1 hour read •
Darkness at Noon
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Book Brief
288
Novel • Fiction
Soviet Union • 1930s
1940
Bantam Books
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Darkness at Noon by Arthur Koestler follows Nicholas Salmanovitch Rubashov, a founder of a socialist state, during his imprisonment, trial, and execution. Through flashbacks and conversations with his examiners, Ivanov and Gletkin, Rubashov reveals his critique of Party politics and his complicity in its repressive machinery. The novel explores themes of ideology, betrayal, and the erasure of individuality. The book contains themes of imprisonment, psychological manipulation, false confessions, and execution.
Dark
Mysterious
Contemplative
Melancholic
Challenging
Reviews & Readership
33,050 ratings
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Mixed feelings
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Review Roundup
Arthur Koestler's Darkness at Noon is widely praised for its penetrating examination of totalitarianism and individual morality, offering a compelling narrative that stimulates deep reflection. Some critics note its dense philosophical dialogue can be challenging, but overall it’s revered for its intellectual depth and historical significance.
Who Should Read Darkness at Noon?
Ideal readers of Arthur Koestler's Darkness at Noon appreciate politically charged literature and dystopian themes. Fans of George Orwell's 1984 and Aldous Huxley's Brave New World will find the novel’s exploration of totalitarian regimes, human rights, and individual versus collective identity compelling and thought-provoking.
33,050 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Ivanov
Ivanov
An old friend of Rubashov and his first examiner during imprisonment, Ivanov shares similar philosophical views with Rubashov. Their relationship and discussions highlight their shared history and moral dilemmas.
Gletkin
Gletkin
Rubashov’s second examiner, Gletkin represents the harsh and unwavering authority of the State. His stoic and mechanical demeanor contrasts sharply with Rubashov's internal struggle and is marked by his resilience and lack of emotional depth.
Arthur Koestler originally wrote Darkness at Noon in German, but the manuscript was lost during World War II, and the book we know today is a translation he collaborated on from a surviving English translation.
The novel is notable for its allegorical critique of totalitarian regimes, capturing the atmosphere of the political purges during the Joseph Stalin era in the Soviet Union through a fictional setting.
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Darkness at Noon played a significant role in changing public opinion in Western countries about communism, shining a light on the oppressive nature of the Stalinist regime and influencing intellectual debates during the 20th century.
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288
Novel • Fiction
Soviet Union • 1930s
1940
Bantam Books
Adult
18+ years
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