Alexander Solzhenitsyn, obituary
Just got the news that Solzhenitsyn, the great writer who became a symbol of the repression of free speech during the Cold War, has died. I recall reading his searing novel One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, and learning about the brutality of Soviet prison camps. Refuseniks and gulags seem so distant now, but many of us can recall the days of bomb shelters and shoe-banging Soviet leaders. He should always be honored for his courage in standing up to repressive leaders and fighting for freedom of expression.
(In the spirit of our weekly theme, I confess that the Gulag Archipelago is sitting, unread, on my bookshelf. Maybe it's time to pick it up.)
Comments
The college I went to required students to write a senior paper on a topic of their choice. My degree was in Political Science/History, with a concentration in Russian Studies, so I chose to write about the women of the Soviet Dissident Movement. I spent my senior year reading Solzhenitsyn and other writers from that era ... I loved his work them, and I still love it now. The world has truly lost a brilliant and courageous mind.
Posted by: Heather J. | August 4, 2008 10:25 AM
"A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich" was required reading in my high school and boy, it was an eye-opener. VERY good book. He will be missed.
I find it interesting that Solzhenitsyn became a fan of Putin's in later life - I would have thought he'd lump Putin in with Stalin (who he hated).
Posted by: Lauretta | August 4, 2008 6:37 PM