Natalya Solzhenitsyna
Posted on 10/27/2010 6:38:08 AM PDT by marshmallow
Russian schoolchildren will read “The Gulag Archipelago” novel. An abridged version of the famous book by Alexander Solzhenitsyn has been included into the compulsory school reading program. The decision to that effect was made by the Education Ministry on the eve of the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Political Repressions, which is marked on October 30.
It won’t be an exaggeration to say that the book shook the whole world and became a literary monument to the victims of repressions in the USSR.
Solzhenitsyn who was the victim of Stalin repressions himself worked on this book for many years. It is based on many pieces of evidences and on his own experience. The book was first published in Paris in 1973 and its publication abroad defined the future fate of the author.
Solzhenitsyn was expelled from the Soviet Union and became a political immigrant while his book was banned in the USSR. In the 1990-s the novel was published in Russia and translated into more than 30 languages.
The writer’s widow prepared the shortened version of the book. On this occasion Prime Minister Vladimir Putin met with Natalya Solzhenitsyna. He stressed that the book is a must for all Russian citizens.
The decision has been made. I know that you worked hard on this school version or let‘s say an abridged version of The Gulag Archipelago. And now it has happened. Right on the eve of the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Political Repressions.
In her turn Natalya Solzhenitsyna noted that the knowledge of history should help society to avoid the repetition of those tragic and terrifying events.
I am convinced that not only for school students but for all of us this is one of the books we must read to pass the exam for..........
(Excerpt) Read more at english.ruvr.ru ...
I would also suggest showing them the film “Chekist.” Gory, and depressing, but the truth about the Soviet Union.
That is a very difficult book to read because of they way it’s written, at least it was for me. Glad I’m not a Russian school aged kid!
And in the United States, people should be required read Witness by Whitaker Chambers.
Natalya Solzhenitsyna
Alexander Solzhenitsyn
a wonderful man, a man of incredible bravery and integrity ...
That book should be required reading in our schools.
In college history, I had to read the doorstop "Mother" by Maxim Gorky (one of several period novels I had to read for the class). I couldn't finish it. I bluffed my way through - got a "A" in the class. The title was accurate, but missing a word at the end.
I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to read this story! I read all three volumes of this novel when it first came out in English. It was a challenge, but I felt it was the least I could do to support Solzhenitsyn. Since I had two hours of bus travel each day from Columbia into D.C. reading helped to pass the time. However, you would not believe the harassment I received from various federal employees who rode the same bus! Sometimes they wouldn’t even sit next to me simply because I had the book. Of course, these were the same guys who were so “glad” when South Vietnam fell. “It served them right!” said one Justice Department assistant deputy....
“...should be required reading in our schools.”
Yes! ...or ONE DAY IN THE LIFE OF IVAN DENISOVICH would be perfect for a high school reading list. Instead they read things like THE BELL JAR by Sylvia Plath who was a young woman with everything who tried repeatedly to kill herself (finally successfully). Solzhenitsyn loved life but almost lost it to the Gulag and to cancer. His life is an inspiration. Plath’s life is a metal health study. But guess which one US English teachers like.
Impressive. Considering where we were with Russia until Reagan’s term, this is nothing short of remarkable.
I’ve read all of them. The Bell Jar is el toro doo doo that glorifies a whining suicidal state of mind.
A long time in coming. I also read several of his other books, as well as other Russian writers - definitely a different style to say the least.
I love the title of these Russian events or of ministries.
The best - The Ministry of Emergency Situations....
There is a story today about Jane Austin’s work being improved by an “intrusive” editor/publisher. Solzhenitsyn’s CANCER WARD had an English translator who also took some editing license. I cannot seriously read Russian but I have enough to notice some differences among my favorite passages.
Still at least the English version of CANCER WARD is one of my all time favorite novels. On one level it is about a hospital and a group of patients, nurses, and doctors. On a deeper level it is about the Soviet Union. On a still deeper level it is about spiritual meaningful living.
It reminds one of Solzhenitsyn’s words about our weaknesses...”the West suffers from the spiritual impotence that comes from a life of ease...”
If we are lucky - maybe fifty years from now our children will read about how the medial moved from honest reporting to being the state controlled media we know today.
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