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Darkness at Noon

Questions About Darkness at Noon

by Arthur Koestler

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Answered Questions (2)

Does anyone know why the author does not specifically identify Russia or the USSR as the setting? He used a pseudonym as I recall.
Stacy I think another reason the author did not specify a particular country is that it really didn't matter. It was a picture of a socialist regime and how…moreI think another reason the author did not specify a particular country is that it really didn't matter. It was a picture of a socialist regime and how the socialist policies are enforced in that given country, which is proven out through history. It doesn't matter whether it was Russia, or China, or North Vietnam, or take your pick of many others-- the enforcement was always the same. The same tactics were always used, as if they were all going by some kind of manual to implement communism, which is the governmental side of socialism, which is the economic philosophy (2 sides of the same coin).(less)
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I made the mistake of reading the introduction to the new translation by Mr. Scammell. In his FIRST paragraph, he reveals what happens to the central character in the end! Why did he do that? It spoiled things for me. Perhaps I should ignore it and read on, but... Maybe someone could enlighten me?
Greg Jim, that's why I don't read introductions unless the introduction was written by the author at the time of first publication. …moreJim, that's why I don't read introductions unless the introduction was written by the author at the time of first publication. (less)
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