Arthur Koestler

SUMMARY: This offering is a First Edition of Arthur Koestler's classic novel Darkness at Noon. Price:$345.00

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Arthur Koestler ( 1905-- 1983).Like other great works of the nineteenth century, Darkness deals with the relationship of the state and the individual. There is perhaps an inherent similarity between these tales of dehumanisation and despair fare as provided by Kafka, Orwell (1984-Animal Farm), Solzhenitsyn (Gulag), Koestler and to a lesser extent Whittaker Chambers (Witness).

The parallels between Darkness at Noon and 1984 are particularly strong, both dealing (at least in large measure) with the interrogation, torture and breakdown of one man by another. Koestler - who wrote earlier, just before the Second World War - even goes so far as to remark that the one thing the totalitarian state does not do to maintain the illusion of its own righteousness is to doctor the back issues of its newspapers, which is of course Winston's occupation in 1984.

While 1984 is set in a fictional dictatorship, Darkness at Noon is set in the real world contemporary with its date of writing. The main character, Rubashov, is fictional, but he is a companion of Lenin from the days of the Russian Revolution who has becume disillusioned through the rule of Stalin. (Neither Lenin nor Stalin is given his real name, but it is clear who is represented by both "the Founder" and "No. 1".) Rubashov's main problem is with the cynical treaty between Stalin and Hitler, and the way that this seems a betrayal of the Communist cause, not just to him but to members of the party cells that he works with outside Russia. His time in prison and the torture he undergoes - sleep deprivation, interrogations at unexpected times, refusal of medical treatment, bright lights and so on - makes him think about his life, his dedication to Communism and where it all went wrong. As Whittaker Chambers wrote:"it (Darkness at Noon) grows richer with reading."

Koestler's personal life was deplorable-he was a serial rapist and ended his life in a suicide pact with his younger, perfectly healthy wife. In view of this fact we are reminded of th admotition, "Pay heed to the tale and not the teller." This giant of a literary figure was important in being one of the first intellectuals in Europe the recognize the evil of Stalin and Lenin.

Book Description: MacMillan, NY, 1941. Hard Cover. Book Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. First U.S. Edition. 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall. the 1941 date on both title and copyright pages, navy blue cloth cover with silver letters.The jacket is intact as show with minor edge damage and some small fragments missing at top of spine and on one corner. The book is in excellent condition and is bright and clean with no internal marks.

The autograph comes with a letter of authenticity as to its origin, history and authenticity.

Price: $345.00