47 pages • 1 hour read
Darkness at Noon
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
288
Novel • Fiction
Soviet Union • 1930s
1940
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
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
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
288
Novel • Fiction
Soviet Union • 1930s
1940
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.