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lejenkins's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
tense
slow-paced
5.0
generalheff's review against another edition
5.0
This is an utterly mesmerising exploration of the Gulag system through the eyes of someone who was there. Part history, part autobiography, if you have any interest in either twentieth century history or human nature itself, this is an essential read.
I had recently read a history of the gulag, so went into this fairly well versed in the details of the labour camps that murdered millions in Russia throughout the better part of the twentieth century. So I kept asking myself why I found this book so engaging and un-put-downable despite having recently read something on the exact same topic.
Aside from the obvious - that Solzhenitsyn was there - I think the key extra ingredient is that he is a novelist first and foremost. Despite being historical and factual (though some elements are disputed) this is a work of literature and not history. The book is beautifully, heart-renderingly told. The bitterness, emotion, anger that ripple off the page reflect not only a victim of the gulag but a brilliant writer and it is this combination that makes this the best book I can recommend on the subject.
That's not to say there aren't issues. First and foremost this book is heavy with Russian history and place names. I had a head start on the former, having read a lot about Russia recently, but even I struggled with the volume of references to people and events. As for geography - I kept a laptop nearby and was constantly looking on maps to see what god-forsaken part of the country a particular camp or prison was located in. The second major issue (though unavoidable) is that, unbeknownst to me, this is a hugely abridged version of the original. The Gulag Archipelago is 1,800 pages long; this volume is about 500 pages - so a substantial cut. Solzhenitsyn gave it his blessing and helped work on it, so it's as good an abridgement as we are likely to get, but it was frustrating nevertheless always to feel like I was missing out on something.
But neither of these potential drawbacks are much of a problem in the end. I'm glad to have read the book at all but may have baulked at picking up 1,800 pages (though may now). And the preponderance of Russian names and details is not only inevitable, it is also part of the book's character. Solzhenitsyn is evidently writing for other survivors first and foremost and he speaks directly to them at times making the comfortable reader today feel almost voyeuristic and like they don't deserve to be listening in on this conversation amongst ex-zeks. Combined with the author's literary skill, this feature gives the book a feeling of authenticity and immediacy that cannot be replicated by 'mere' historical works on the topic.
In short: a masterpiece.
I had recently read a history of the gulag, so went into this fairly well versed in the details of the labour camps that murdered millions in Russia throughout the better part of the twentieth century. So I kept asking myself why I found this book so engaging and un-put-downable despite having recently read something on the exact same topic.
Aside from the obvious - that Solzhenitsyn was there - I think the key extra ingredient is that he is a novelist first and foremost. Despite being historical and factual (though some elements are disputed) this is a work of literature and not history. The book is beautifully, heart-renderingly told. The bitterness, emotion, anger that ripple off the page reflect not only a victim of the gulag but a brilliant writer and it is this combination that makes this the best book I can recommend on the subject.
That's not to say there aren't issues. First and foremost this book is heavy with Russian history and place names. I had a head start on the former, having read a lot about Russia recently, but even I struggled with the volume of references to people and events. As for geography - I kept a laptop nearby and was constantly looking on maps to see what god-forsaken part of the country a particular camp or prison was located in. The second major issue (though unavoidable) is that, unbeknownst to me, this is a hugely abridged version of the original. The Gulag Archipelago is 1,800 pages long; this volume is about 500 pages - so a substantial cut. Solzhenitsyn gave it his blessing and helped work on it, so it's as good an abridgement as we are likely to get, but it was frustrating nevertheless always to feel like I was missing out on something.
But neither of these potential drawbacks are much of a problem in the end. I'm glad to have read the book at all but may have baulked at picking up 1,800 pages (though may now). And the preponderance of Russian names and details is not only inevitable, it is also part of the book's character. Solzhenitsyn is evidently writing for other survivors first and foremost and he speaks directly to them at times making the comfortable reader today feel almost voyeuristic and like they don't deserve to be listening in on this conversation amongst ex-zeks. Combined with the author's literary skill, this feature gives the book a feeling of authenticity and immediacy that cannot be replicated by 'mere' historical works on the topic.
In short: a masterpiece.
lukeibaldwin's review
5.0
Journalism. History. High literature. In reading this book you daren’t stare too long but it’s impossible to look away. Wish I’d had the unabridged copy.
justinas_balbieris's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
5.0
sloatsj's review against another edition
5.0
This is a book I think everyone must read, and the surprising thing about it is that it's easy to read and extremely involving. It's not just facts and dates and paper outrage. Very very enlightening book that makes you want to learn more about Russia in this period. I read [b:Kolyma Tales|109812|Kolyma Tales (Penguin Twentieth-Century Classics)|Varlam Shalamov|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171616684s/109812.jpg|105834] soon afterwards, and was again richly rewarded.
perfect_peter777's review against another edition
fast-paced
5.0
What a fantastic read. Historical but with a fictional bend. The definitive account of life in the gulag. Hats off Solzhy.
davidsansun's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This was fascinating. At times it was beyond belief to the point of hilarity. Some of the stories recounted by Solzhenitsyn that lead to people receiving 25 years in the Gulag were just flabbergasting.
Knowing this went on for 50+ years defies belief.
Knowing this went on for 50+ years defies belief.
avoidthenoid's review against another edition
3.0
Would love some citations or at least corroborative facts. Just a lot to consume based on someone’s experience. That said it tells about something Americans don’t often hear about. Also could’ve done with no Jordan Peterson.