Darkness at Noon: A Novel Audiobook

" I've downloaded this audiobook because Eckhart Tolle mentioned it in one of his talks so I had high hopes for it. And it certainly met my expectations. Would not recommend listening to it late at night though, as it happened to me a few times that I'd fallen asleep while listening, only to then wake up in the middle of the night and hear an intense conversation from a prison setting - it can be quite unsettling at times :) "

" Interesting and insightful but deeply flawed in its concept and examination of the communist morale, ethics and philosophy. Not to say that from the purely historical viewpoint it's so unauthentic and primitive in exposing pre- and post- revolutionary history of the Russian communist movement that it's not even funny. Koestler surely knew something about it so it's quite a surprise for me that he chose to write on these topics in such a simplistic and inadequate manner - well, it's not a historical trait so some degree of fantasy and even mixing things a bit is, of course, tolerable but the book's extreme remoteness from the historicism is annoying for a person who knows some basics about those times. Maybe the author intended to combine some very interesting and deep reflections on historical materialism, pain and suffering (both physical and spiritual), betrayal and the contradiction between the duty and the sense of guilt and humaneness with such a vulgar simplifications and misrepresentations in order to make his novel (otherwise too abstruse, abstract and intellectually demanding for an average reader) more light-minded and easy-going or the obvious agitprop literature limitations (of which this book is a perfect example despite its depth and non-triviality) left their ugly traces but this creates a very mixed feeling. More detailed review to follow (as I don't want to sound proofless). "

" A great intellectual dialogue of conscience. Slow and deliberate pacing lends an intense thoughtfulness. So much to ruminate upon... "

" The ending is kind of explicit about the moralising, but it still avoids easy answers and asks questions related to the actual Soviet experience that's far more realistic and interesting than 1984's "they just want power for the sake of it. bad people" thing. The conversations between Ivanov and Rubashov are pretty fascinating as elucidations of common guiding principles - both in the Soviet movement and outside of it - the problems with them re ideas of humanity and the problems with those ideas. The book also talks about the problems of collaboration and resistance. Not a perfect book but a step up from a lot of "dystopian" novels by focusing on real circumstances and reasons why people do things. "

" I found this story fascinating from the perspective of what I would do if I was in a similar situation. There was a great blend of present events with backstory that lead to those events. Finally, the ending was one of the best in its conveyance of a unique situation and conclusion to a good story. "

" Re-reading this book that I haven't opened since freshmen year of college. "

" This made a huge impact on me when I read it 20 years ago. I don't know how it would like it now, it has been interesting to read other people's reactions on this site. My memory of it makes it one of my favourites. "

" The horrors of having what you believed in and helped build come back to end you. "

" Now this is real horror. "

" Bleak depiction of totalitarianism and the total control of individuals. Gripping. "

" i don't like this book as much as other people seem to (especially according to great book lists etc.) but i've enjoyed reading it so far. "

" I really, really liked this book! I am a bit unsure of myself given that I liked it and its subject matter. Still a good read. For a full review please check out EMME Books Join us in our quest to read Modern Library's Top 100. (Yes it was a fit of insanity!) "

" A sad, haunting book about an early Bolshevik sitting in prison awaiting execution. A meditation on how the communist movement tore itself apart, and made abominations like Stalin inevitable. "

" Engrossing yet tedious in some areas. "

" It got better as it went along, but it waxed a little too philosophical for me. "

" This book is so bleak but so illustrative of how political machines can get out of control. "

" This pretty much just uses one character to make all the standard complaints about USSR style communism. It was alittle boring, and Animal Farm did it better and more subtly. "

" A really good read. Gives an interesting insight on the intense Moscow Trials. Thank you, AP Euro for making me read this! "

" A superb novel which gives a deep and empathetic insight into the experiences of a high-profile victim of the Stalinist purges. "

" Koestler brings memories of activist past. "

" Fascinating book about life in Stalinist Russia. "

" Conspiracy.. and politic chess game. Must read "

" I really enjoyed this - a gripping account of Soviet incarceration. Now tempered of course with Koestler's unsavoury backstory. "

" Interesting read. Slow start, but you get into it. The author leads you with just enough info to draw you into the story behind Rubashov (main character). It was also interesting to see the communism from an insiders point of view. I say read it. "

" A bit slow, turned out to be less than I thought it would be. Not something I would recommend unless you are interested in the subject matter. "

" This story bares some resemblance to 1984, although it lacks the love story of Winston and Julia. Just another wartime novel, nothing special but if you need something for a few afternoon hours, this can pass. "

" Missed my stop on the tube because of this book and was quite pleased as I had to re-trace my journey and gave myself more time to read. "They are coming...they are coming for him..." "

" Read this for a "Political Disillusionment" class in college and loved it. Unfortunately, I didn't find his other books as good a read. "

" It got better as it went along, but it waxed a little too philosophical for me. "

" Koestler brings memories of activist past. "

" Fasinating portrayal of the trial and execution of a Communist for subversion in Stalinist Russia. Although the book is a work of fiction, it is also heavily influenced by real events. Particularly good is the portrayal of Communist interogation techniques. "

" Lived up to all the hype "

" sweeeeet. a must-read for any amateur leftie "

" Just as the titles entails, dark. It was also witty at times. An incredible story. "

" Parts of this book reminded me of "The Trial," "1984," and "Notes From the Underground." "

" This made a huge impact on me when I read it 20 years ago. I don't know how it would like it now, it has been interesting to read other people's reactions on this site. My memory of it makes it one of my favourites. "

" This classic book bears rereading or discovering. "

" Read in 1982. Thought it was extremely good but succinctly noted, 'a book that made me feel sick.' Knowing the truth and the fear. "

" Really Really moving book. Deep impression that has lasted many years. This is well worth the time spent. "

" I probably should have read this a little more closely. I just like the daily accounts of soviet prison life. but it went deep into the illogical ideology of soviet logic. And how the confession of one act lead them to follow your intentions and count it as a confession to a way bigger act. Oh well. "

" read this shortly after ghost in the machine "

" A superb novel which gives a deep and empathetic insight into the experiences of a high-profile victim of the Stalinist purges. "

" A sad, haunting book about an early Bolshevik sitting in prison awaiting execution. A meditation on how the communist movement tore itself apart, and made abominations like Stalin inevitable. "

" Great book, if a little formulaic. Early propaganda.... "

" Another probing examination of totalitarianism in all its depravity. "

" sweeeeet. a must-read for any amateur leftie "

" Opened my eyes to some positive aspects of Stalinism, although I'm far from a Red Terror apologist. I feel the book would have worked better as a simple exchange of ideas, like in Plato's Dialogues, doing away with the setting and incessant wall-tapping. "

" Fantastic! A glimpse into history when Stalin's Old Guard was replaced by the New. All the character names in the book are numbers (and guess who's #1 ;-)). One of the best endings ever. "

" Koestler provides a more realistic take on the same territory staked out by Kafka’s The Trial and Orwell’s 1984(which it influenced). Set in specific time and date, that of the 1930’s show trials of Stalinist Russia, though presented in a language that aims for a universal parable. "

" Too didactic. The actual telling of the story seems secondary to the ideas - in which case, why write a story at all? "

" Terribly depressing. Could not finish this novel. I was having nightmares. "

" Maybe not for everyone, but definitely a great book club selection for those with a political bent. Endless hours of disussion on Koestler's character Nicolas Salmanovitch Rubashov's reflections and rationalizations for the crimes he has committeed for the Communist Party. "

" The story is pretty good but I found it confusing at times. I wish the points of view were clearer.It surprised me that the neighbor didn't betray him.I wish there were more original images of women. And the story could have probably ended earlier. "

" This book is kind of spectacular. I simple but gorgeous exploration of human narrative, identity, subjectivity, and ideology. At the same time heart breaking and illuminating. Just beautifully wrought. "