One of the most extraordinary literary documents to have emerged from the Soviet Union, this is the story of labor camp inmate Ivan Denisovich Shukhov and his struggle to maintain his dignity in the face of Communist oppression. Based on the author’s own experience in the gulags, where he spent nearly a decade as punishment for making derogatory remarks against Stalin, the novel is an unforgettable portrait of the entire world of Stalin’s forced work camps. An instant classic upon publication in 1962, it confirmed Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn’s international stature as “a literary genius whose talent matches that of Dostoevsky, Turgenev, Tolstoy” (Harrison Salisbury).
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"Not enjoyable in the typical sense, but informative and very interesting. Written expansively, often with bitter and ironic emphasis. A must-read for the casual or determined observer of Soviet-era history, and a book that should be forced on anyone with a naive view of revolutionary movements. " — 1.1 (4 out of 5 stars)
"Not enjoyable in the typical sense, but informative and very interesting. Written expansively, often with bitter and ironic emphasis. A must-read for the casual or determined observer of Soviet-era history, and a book that should be forced on anyone with a naive view of revolutionary movements. "
“Remarkable…Solzhenitsyn has written no mere propagandistic exposé. He has created a small, almost flawless classic employing the eloquence of reticence.”
“It is a blow struck for human freedom all over the world…and it is gloriously readable.”
“An important book perhaps the most important that has come out of Russia in many years.”
“Richard Brown’s razor-sharp narration perfectly suits this fine translation.”
" An awesome book. Great lookback at a horrible time in Russian history "
" Astounding, and like any good Russian work, just a bit too long... "
" Not for an average reader....A solid heart and a strong stomache are needed when you read the what happened during the repressive regime in the former Sovjet Union. To me it rose the question who actually was the most horrid dictator in the 20th century.......... "
" Very important book to read. Certain parts of the book were fascinating to read and other parts were hard to get through. "
" Very interesting read - read more as a text book, but worth it, as I really knew very little about this part of Russia's history "
Aleksandr I. Solzhenitsyn (1918–2008) was born in Kislovodsk, Russia. A twice-decorated captain in the Soviet Army, he was stripped of his rank, arrested, and convicted for privately criticizing Stalin in 1945. Exiled from the USSR in 1974, he eventually settled in the United States before returning to his homeland twenty years later after the Soviet system had collapsed. Among his acclaimed works are the novels One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich and The First Circle. His literary awards include the Nobel Prize for Literature and the Medal of Honor for Literature.
Richard Brown (1937–2005) (a.k.a. Joseph Porter), was a former ballet dancer, actor, and popular audiobook narrator. Born in England, Richard came to the United States early in his career and performed with numerous regional ballet companies. After retiring from the ballet, he pursued a career in acting and recorded dozens of audiobooks for numerous publishers.
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