Philip’s Comments (group member since Aug 24, 2019)

Philip’s comments from the Lehman book club group.

Philip wrote: "I have to say, chapter 5 was not as thoughtful as the rest of the book has been, so far. It actually made me like Solzhenitsyn a little less, because he seemed to be putting himself into the story ..."

Oops. I (Sarah) posted the previous comment!

I have to say, chapter 5 was not as thoughtful as the rest of the book has been, so far. It actually made me like Solzhenitsyn a little less, because he seemed to be putting himself into the story too much, talking about how his life had been a calling to do this, as though he was chosen, etc. Maybe he's right, but he doesn't need to toot his own horn so much. I can see that the story would be intensely personal, and that is part of the charm, but I get the feeling that if you met Solzhenitsyn in a bar, he would talk a lot about himself and kind of forget what, or if you had anything to say. Maybe I'm wrong; let me know.

He did mention something in Chapter 5 that I thought I'd bring up: He talks about a "secret sensor relay":

"I recklessly revealed myself to dozens of people--and didn't make a misstep even once... It seems to me that such spiritual sensors exist in many of us, but because we live in too technological and rational an age, we neglect this miracle and don't allow it to develop."

I wonder, do you agree with Solzhenistsyn, or is there a more mundane explanation?