Arthur Koestler (1905–1983)

"La primera novela en ser escrita es "La rebelión de los gladiadores" de Arthur Koestler, publicada en 1939. De origen húngaro, Koestler se afilió al Partido Comunista en 1931 y lo dejó, decepcionado, en 1937. Fruto de esa decepción surgió su novela, en la que, a través de la rebelión de Espartaco, hace un estudio pormenorizado de la revolución, en la que, inevitablemente, los generales que la idean terminan siendo para sus hombres más temibles que sus anteriores amos, ya que el esclavo que nunca ha tenido libertad, cuando la tiene no sabe lo que es ni que puede hacer con ella. La visión de Koestler es pesimista y trágica, y muestra a los propios esclavos renegando de Espartaco e incluso defendiendo a sus amos de él ya que no son capaces de entender lo que este les ofrece.".… (more)

This is a magnificent novel with a truly universal message. The translation by Philip Boehm of the newly rediscovered German manuscript is excellent as well. The novel was completed in 1940 and echoes the Soviet show trials of 1938 without explicitly mentioning which party and which country is involved. The Vintage edition also includes excerpts from another book by Koestler where he describes his own experience being locked up in one of Franco's jails as well as the final statement of the accused from one of the show trials.

The story begins when Rubashov, a leader in the Communist Party, is arrested and but into his jail cell. The reader is immediately given the feeling of being confined together with Rubashov. He is interrogated and told that he is expected to confess to all of his crimes. Rubashov looks back at his life and remembers when he sat in judgement of his comrades resulting in their deaths. The novel includes a number of philosophical discussions as well.

This novel is often cited by conservatives critical of the Soviet Union but the message of the novel applies to anyone who is being told to switch his own beliefs to accord with the party line. This makes the message even more universal. For example, the story would apply equally well to the members of the Republican Party who have had to totally change their beliefs to accommodate the latest MAGA statements.… (more)