August 1914 discussion

I have just heard that Solzhenitsyn is dead. I feel very sad that he has gone, even though he belonged to an older generation and chronicled events that are now fading away.

I think I will re-read what I have on my shelves, starting with One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich because it first lifted the lid on life in the Gulag, and then August 1914 because I have family living in that area.

A great loss. I think Solzhenitsyn should be required reading.

One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich was the first book that made me feel what life was like in the Soviet Gulag. I was really way too young be be reading the book, but read it and was profoundly affected. I wish I knew how Solzhenitsyn felt about the re-sovietizing of Russia, where the oligarchs are running things in ways that are very familiar to millions of Russians. He loved Russia so much, even with all its faults, excesses, cruelties and mistakes.

He certainly loved Russia... but he was not pleased with the capitalism ("speculating" as Tolstoy called it) occurring after the soviet fell, also having lived in the US for years (vermont? maine?) he didn't approve of our brand of democracy. When he returned to Russia he had a short-lived commentary spot on the news. Apparently no one watched, they didn't want to hear. Wouldn't it be fabulous to read the transcripts??