1963 - A masterpiece of modern Russian fiction, this novel is one of the most significant and outspoken literary documents ever to come out of Soviet Russia. A brutal depiction of life in a Stalinist camp and a moving tribute to man's triumph of will over relentless dehumanization, this is Solzhenitsyn's first novel to win international acclaim. Introduction by renowned poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Released via the 1001 books VBB to stubee

I selected this from round 11 of the 1001 + VBB at book obsessed; thanks FamFatale for sending to me so quickly.

EDIT: 7th October 2009 - I started reading this last night.

EDIT: 10th October 2009 - I finished this today and I must say I enjoyed Shukhov's story; the book conveys the barbarity of Stalin's concentration camps but there was also a heart warming feel to the story. You want to see Shukhov succeed and in many ways he does.

I’m going to reserve this for KT-J to read before it goes on it’s travels again sometime in the near future.

Next Up: Andy Fraser – From The Surgeon's Blade

Received from Stubee, thanks!

Wow, I really enjoyed this book and found it quite uplifting. The actual story is horrific; life in a Stalinist work camp and the horrors these men faced day after day in the freezing wastes of Siberia, particularly having been sent there for no justifiable reason.

Seeing the camp life through Shukhov's eyes and the daily battles for the smallest things such as a decent amount of food is awful. However, the relationships between the squad members and Shukhov's small victories show the triumph of human nature despite all the odds.

A really interesting book and one that I can understand being on the 1001 books to read before you die list (and I don't say that very often!).

Just caught this book back so I can make plans for it's next journey.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Sent to garibaldisghost who selected this from round 16 of the 1001+ VBB over at bookobsessed.com

I hope you enjoy it.

Safely received, ta.

Although of necessity this book is quite dour, I found it particularly readable.

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

I left this amongst the many many leaflets on the windowsill by the front door of the Blue Moon Cafe on St James' Street in a very sunny central Sheffield today.

This is now a twinned release in the Twin Challenge, as I've also left a book on St JAMES' Street, Nottingham.