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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
a deeply sad read.
the novel follows one day of ivan denisovich’s life as a prisoner in a work camp in siberia. but ivan isn’t down. he isn’t in despair. he is determined to survive. he even thinks of things throughout his day that he is grateful for before he goes to bed.
he’s a man that takes what he’s dealt and does what he has to do. he looks out for his fellow prisoners in his group. he chooses to be human and see others as human, despite not being treated as one.
the novel is captivating and gives you such a sense of what it is to live a day in ivan’s shoes. it thoughtfully captures a moment in time. a moment of his inner thoughts, his attitude, and his ability to give work his best. you feel his hunger and his coldness, yet you watch his ability to forget it all in his diligence.
whilst this was literary fiction, it was a groundbreaking piece. it emphasises the importance of telling stories and telling stories based on personal experiences.
when i closed this book i couldn’t help but feel a sense of hope. that in spite of everything, ivan could be grateful for small wins in his horrible day.
…
“how can you expect a man who's warm to understand a man who's cold?”
“a tongue doesn't wag in the morning; everyone sat silent, locked in thought.”
“and the longer he spent at the camp the stronger he made himself.”
“so leave envy to those who always think the radish in the other fellow's hand is bigger than yours.”
the novel follows one day of ivan denisovich’s life as a prisoner in a work camp in siberia. but ivan isn’t down. he isn’t in despair. he is determined to survive. he even thinks of things throughout his day that he is grateful for before he goes to bed.
he’s a man that takes what he’s dealt and does what he has to do. he looks out for his fellow prisoners in his group. he chooses to be human and see others as human, despite not being treated as one.
the novel is captivating and gives you such a sense of what it is to live a day in ivan’s shoes. it thoughtfully captures a moment in time. a moment of his inner thoughts, his attitude, and his ability to give work his best. you feel his hunger and his coldness, yet you watch his ability to forget it all in his diligence.
whilst this was literary fiction, it was a groundbreaking piece. it emphasises the importance of telling stories and telling stories based on personal experiences.
when i closed this book i couldn’t help but feel a sense of hope. that in spite of everything, ivan could be grateful for small wins in his horrible day.
…
“how can you expect a man who's warm to understand a man who's cold?”
“a tongue doesn't wag in the morning; everyone sat silent, locked in thought.”
“and the longer he spent at the camp the stronger he made himself.”
“so leave envy to those who always think the radish in the other fellow's hand is bigger than yours.”
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
dark
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
A really well written story, important and makes you think. What's different about this book as compared to other historical fiction books is we don't start at the begging, rather 8 years into a 10 year sentence for Shukov. What was his life before? How did he feel about bs capture? Don't know mucb because that isn't the point of the story. Shukov's attitude to his imprisonment is one of indifference and being used to it. As an outsider looking in, its horrific but you're impacted by the descriptions of life in the Gulag even more just because of how normal this life seems to be for the inmates. No way out for them. Even Shukov has no hope in his release knowing they may stick him in exile or just tack on 10 more years. It's historical fiction but this all really happened. Everyone should read this book, simple but poignant.
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Approachable, clear, fierce words on a clean white page.