Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn Passes Away

[Hammer]

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, author of Cancer Ward and One Day In The Life Of Ivan Denisovich has passed away.

A great loss to Russian literature, especially as Solzhenitsyn was willing to stand up to the Soviet authorities to see his books were published, and served time in the gulags, as well as Exile, as a result.

Very probably the best Russian fiction writer of the 20th century.

BBC Story

[MarkMono]

He hated his name being anglified (Think its 'Aleksandr') too.

I admired him, but I can't say I liked his books.

[Hammer]

Originally Posted by MarkMono

He hated his name being anglified (Think its 'Aleksandr') too.

Fair enough. Sorted.

[MarkMono]

Originally Posted by Hammer

Very probably the best Russian fiction writer of the 20th century.

Again, I imagine its contested quite hotly in some quarters, but in modern times (He work was quite controversial for many years.) this distinction is generally awarded to Mikhail Bulgakov.

Not entirely relevant I suppose, Solzhenitsyn was undeniably an admirable character.

[endless psych]

He wrote one of my favourite books.

That said I half thought he was already dead.

[MichaelSCollins]

A shame. Sorry to break the news to you, Shim.

[LesMTS]

Doco about the man's return to Russia on BBC2 just now.

[Violet*Faerie]

Cancer Ward is the one book I have felt really drawn to. I read a couple of chapters once in the school library (whilst skiving) and felt daft for not taking it out. I eventually did read it and I thought it was great. It got you thinking.