About the book: 1964 / Yuri Kolesnikov's novel "The Darkness thickens before the dawn" depicts Romania in the 30s - on the eve of the Second World War. During this period, the Iron Guard, Hitler’s “fifth column,” operated here. Two prime ministers were killed - Duca and Calinescu. Events are escalating. Romania is heading towards an open fascist dictatorship. Provocations against the Communist Party and murders on the Romanian-Soviet border are carried out with the connivance of the secret police - the Siguranians. The royal court, ministers, secret police, spies and murderers - legionnaires, the big bourgeoisie and shopkeepers united to fight the working people. The author skillfully painted pictures of the life of various layers of society, the struggle of ordinary people against the preparations for war with the Soviet Union. The book recreated with great force an atmosphere of anxiety and uncertainty about the future generated by the political situation in Europe. Simultaneously with the growth of unemployment and impoverishment, the class consciousness of the working masses and understanding of the injustice of the existing system are growing. The main character of the novel, Bessarabian Ilya Tomov, from loyal sentiments comes to participate in the revolutionary struggle.