Darkness at Noon Audiobook By Arthur Koestler cover art

Darkness at Noon

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Darkness at Noon

By: Arthur Koestler
Narrated by: Frank Muller
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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 Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Political Witty Emotionally Gripping

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)
Powerful Exploration • Thought-provoking Story • Masterful Narration • Philosophical Depth • Historical Relevance

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Frank Mueller once again brings a timeless classic even higher. the rhythm of this dark tale is incredible

an amazing glimpse into the human condition

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Beautifully written book with a thread of terror weaved throughout. The story makes you feel as if you're in cell with the protagonist. There are glimmers of hope for the said character, will he get out alive, will he not? Koestler is a master story teller.

Beautifully Written, Terrifying Story

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tells the tale of an imprisoned political leader and the danger of totalitarianism. uses a fictional story to describe paralleled events in the early to mid 20th century.

very good

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Having now read it multiple times, Koestler's book is quickly becoming one of my favorite stories of all time. Set during the great Stalin purges of 1937-40, we follow N.S. Rubashov, an allegorical amalgamation of the old Bolshevik guard, from his arrest at home in the middle of the night to imprisonment and interrogation. Koestler is a master story teller and clearly draws on his own lived experience of being imprisoned. The scenes of Rubashov's discussions with the adjacent cell mate Number 402 through tap code are particularly enjoyable. The best scenes however were those of the intellectual duels between Rubashov and Ivanov and later Gletkin during interrogation. It is during these scenes that Koestler is able to vividly portray Marxist thinking and how in the pursuit of "socialist utopia" anything is permissible. Truth becomes irrelevant and is often a stumbling block to the construction of the perfect society. Ironically, we ultimately see a man brought down by the very ideology he fought so hard to triumph and now must clearly and unambiguously confront the consequences of his life's work before it brings his own life to an end. Cannot recommend highly enough!

A True Masterpiece!!

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This story haunts me, both from the writing by Arthur Koestler and the telling by Frank Muller. It is a political and historical must-read, but with frank Muller narrating.... The best.

Masterpiece-- Koestler and Muller

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