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Darkness at Noon

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Darkness at Noon

By: Arthur Koestler
Narrated by: Frank Muller
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About this listen

A fictional portrayal of an aging revolutionary, this novel is a powerful commentary on the nightmare politics of the troubled 20th century. Born in Hungary in 1905, a defector from the Communist Party in 1938, and then arrested in both Spain and France for his political views, Arthur Koestler writes from a wealth of personal experience.

Imprisoned by the political party to which he has dedicated his life, Nicolas Rubashov paces his prison cell, examining his life and remembering his tempestuos career. As the old intelligentsia is eradicated to make way for the new, he is psychologically tortured and forced to confess to preposterous crimes. Comparing himself to Moses, led to the Promised Land but refused entry, he sees only darkness at the end of his life, where once he saw such promise for humanity.

Frank Muller's narrative expertise is perfect for this haunting work. Rubashov's personal agony becomes Muller's as he presents Koestler's relevant and important questions.

©1968 Mrs. F.H.K. Henries (P)1999 Recorded Books, LLC Classics Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Political

Critic Reviews

"A remarkable book, a grimly fascinating interpretation of the logic of the Russian Revolution...a tense and subtly intellectualized drama." ( Times Literary Supplement)
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I was fascinated by Winston Smith's final moment in 1984, but also puzzled and wished to know more. Only read this book, have I a got a better understanding of that.
To understand current totalitarianism, or at least to an extent, the methodologies, even small tricks of totalitarianism, the tyrants and dictators (if not totalitarian leaders yet) are always happy to use if they can, this book is not outdated and still provides good insights of the totalitarian movements and triggers deep thought.

A Good Psychological Analyses of Totalitarianism

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I can’t say enough good things about this book. The set up is familiar in some way, we almost know this man from other tales. The second half cleverly explains party thinking. Loved it.

Perfectly conceived, and cleverly performed.

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I’ve never read a book that so successfully captures the essence of Stalin’s Soviet Union. Looking back years after the collapse of the Berlin Wall, it’s hard to understand the madness of what was happening in the USSR, particularly under Stalin’s rule. I’m Darkness at Noon, Arthur Koestler explains the dark logic that led to the purges, famines, denouements, mass incarcerations, mock trials and sham confessions of the time. This was one of those books that reveals the truth of an incomprehensible situation. Would highly recommend.

A rival for Orwell’s 1984

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