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Liked It2 of 2 members found this review helpful “Deeply affecting and difficult to recover from. Comparable to the best Holocaust fiction or Angela's Ashes in its impact. Once I was drawn into this deceptively simple story of one man's day in a Siberian labor camp under Stalin's regime, I could not put the book down. I had it like a...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “Oh Shukhov, what a life you have. |
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“I am unable to place this novel in its proper context, having read very little Russian literature and knowing almost nothing about the Soviet Union, but as it stands it is a simple but very powerful account of life in one of the harshest prisons ever conceived by mankind, in which a mouthful of bread and meagre warmth become immeasurably precious. The titular Ivan is an unremarkable figure, an everyman caught up in an inhuman system, but possessing the determination needed to survive. Plain but powerful and unsparing. ”
Carys wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Reading about the experiences of a man suffering a 10-year sentence in Russian hard labor camp during WWII, after being wrongly sentenced for treason since escaping a brief stint in a German POW camp - can be a difficult subject to explore. But "One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich" is an important work; an inspirational work. It was a slow and thoughtful book, but never boring as you might expect 140 pages describing a single day to be. It was well written and engaging, and filled with reflections of past events, an inner monologue of the sameness of every day (even a lucky one), but also a hopeful outlook on the future. This book is another testament to the strength of the human spirit, like the "Diary of Anne Frank" or "Man's Search For Meaning". I'm glad to have read it. Strangely, up until a few weeks ago, this classic work had escaped my notice. But the title popped up a few times in my book-travels, and it interested me enough to read it right away. Next, I have 'on deck' the "Night" trilogy by Elie Wiesel. It may be interesting comparing the two (sets) of books.”
Laina A wrote this review Saturday, April 20, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Although this is a fiction novel it is based on Solzhenitsyn’s experiences in the Gulag. In this account he just doesn’t record what Ivan Denisovich does but why he does it, his thought processes and feelings. How even though his every move is controlled he still tries to stay true to his ideals. He also writes about why Denisovich was arrested, an account taken from other convicts experiences.
Bel ~ Fearless Leader Angharrad wrote this review Monday, March 25, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
When I saw the length of the this book and knowing it covers just one day I though it would be tedious or drag, however I was completely engaged and felt it did not drag at all. The story was helped along by the consideration of Ivan’s thought processes the comments of what he had learned through the years, and the planning that went into making sure he had enough to eat and keep from freezing or getting frost bite.”
“A really good source for those who want to get inside Stalin's ''socialist'' Russia. ”
Emre H wrote this review Monday, March 25, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“A brilliant condensation of life in a Soviet labor camp for those of us who don't want to slog through The Gulag Archipelago.”
Jim H wrote this review Wednesday, March 20, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Life in a land where the only god is Force. Fortunately, Soltzenitsyn helped bring that to an end. Other countries are not so fortunate.”
Agnes of Bemerton, Shopgirl wrote this review Friday, February 22, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I enjoyed this. Quick and to the point. ”
Owen M wrote this review Wednesday, February 20, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“who cares”
Jared Holst wrote this review Tuesday, February 5, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“A great read that will remind you how easily we melt into an existence focused on our most primal reads.”
Ryan Kenny wrote this review Monday, February 4, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“A classic.”
Fred Weber wrote this review Saturday, February 2, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
