Remembering Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

[Scheherazade]

http://img114.imageshack.us/img114/6586/solzhenitsynke7.jpg

Nobel Prize winner Russian author Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn has passed away.

To honour this great author, the Book Club will read one of his books.

Please vote for the book you would like to read by August 15.

[Virgil]

Oh that is sad. I never read Solzhenitsyn but I admired him immensely. He was bold and outspoken. A fervant anti communist and a man who freely criticized the west for its gravitation to anti religion, he in his small way helped bring about the demise of communism. Today, communism stands on the ash heap of history, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn stands as a hero and an artist to many. R.I.P.

I don't know how long it is, some of the Russian novels can be very long, I will vote for One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich. I hope it's not too long. This read will mean a lot to me personally.

Edit: It's only 192 pages. Cool.

[Scheherazade]

Seems like One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich is emerging as an early winner!

[integrity]

I can't vote yet, but I've already broken out my copy of One Day In The Life and started reading it.

[Etienne]

I'm already halfway, very good book as of yet.

[Scheherazade]

I have yet to finish Becoming Madame Mao and Norwegian Wood; then start reading this one... Hopefully I will be ready by the time the poll ends.

[Virgil]

Yeah I'm in the middle of Banville's The Sea. Solzhenitsyn will have to wait a couple of weeks.

[Etienne]

Virgil, how is it? From what I've read of it it looks boring, but I don't want to judge from how it looks...

[lugdunum]

Great Idea! :thumbs_up

Although as others have said I'm in the middle of other books (Norwegian Wood and The Wall) so I'll try my best to join the discussion.

[Virgil]

Virgil, how is it? From what I've read of it it looks boring, but I don't want to judge from how it looks...

Are you asking about Banville's The Sea? I've made a few comments in the book club forum thread on it. He writes the most beautiful prose, but I'm half way through it and there doesn't seem to be a story, other than the rather interesting details of a nastalgic upbringing. I'm enjoying the beauty of the prose, but I can see how others might say it's boring.

[Virgil]

Oooh, I bought A Day In The Life of I. D. today. :banana: As soon as I'm done with The Sea I will start it. :)

[Scheherazade]

All the copies of One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich are out on loan!!! And there are about 25 of them in circulation in my area! :eek:

[bazarov]

Got my one yesterday. :)

[motherhubbard]

I just placed a hold on a copy at my library. I'll pick it up on Friday. I'm reading another book by Anchee Min so I may be slow with it.

[Etienne]

I finished it some days ago now, I think it is definitely a very, very good book.

[Virgil]

Well, I hope it doesn't lose. Ive been reading A Day In The Life for the past few days. ;)

[Scheherazade]

Going once...

[motherhubbard]

cancer ward was actually on my list, but it didn't really have a snowball's chance. I pick up my copy tomorrow.

[Scheherazade]

Going twice...