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savaging's review against another edition
5.0
"The old disease, though Rubashov. Revolutionaries should not think through other people’s minds.
Or, perhaps they should? Or even ought to?
How can one change the world if one identifies oneself with everybody?
How else can one change it?
He who understands and forgives -- where would he find a motive to act?
Where would he not?
They will shoot me, though Rubashov. My motives will be of no interest to them."
Koestler was himself a former communist. And even if this book is anti-communist, it isn't anti-communist in the facile, jingoistic way of a lot of western literature. Koestler hates Stalin but is drawn all the same by the vision of the revolutionaries.
Or, perhaps they should? Or even ought to?
How can one change the world if one identifies oneself with everybody?
How else can one change it?
He who understands and forgives -- where would he find a motive to act?
Where would he not?
They will shoot me, though Rubashov. My motives will be of no interest to them."
Koestler was himself a former communist. And even if this book is anti-communist, it isn't anti-communist in the facile, jingoistic way of a lot of western literature. Koestler hates Stalin but is drawn all the same by the vision of the revolutionaries.
callieju's review
5.0
woah this was incredibly well written the plot was gripping from the start, honestly sent me into a philosophical spiral
shaylala's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
xbznskeieosoae's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jackiesobota's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
dustysummers's review against another edition
4.0
"We brought you truth, and in our mouth it sounded a lie. We brought you freedom, and it looks in our hands like a whip. We brought you the living life, and where our voice is heard the trees whither and there is a rustling of dry leaves. We brought you the promise of the future, but our tongue stammered and barked…"