The gladiators

AI Rating: 2/10 - Arthur Koestler's 1939 historical novel depicts the Spartacus slave revolt against Rome, using it as an allegory for the failures of revolutionary utopianism and Stalinist purges (Koestler was a disillusioned ex-communist). Themes focus on class struggle, idealism vs. tyranny, and internal revolt divisions, with no modern identity politics, diversity quotas, or inclusion messaging. Political critique prioritizes storytelling over overt social justice preaching; slaves' plight is sympathetic but ultimately cautionary, not triumphant progressive advocacy.