In the First Circle Audiobook By Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, Harry T. Willets - translator cover art

In the First Circle

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In the First Circle

By: Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, Harry T. Willets - translator
Narrated by: Derek Perkins
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Moscow, Christmas Eve, 1949. The Soviet secret police intercept a call made to the American embassy by a Russian diplomat who promises to deliver secrets about the nascent Soviet Atomic Bomb program. On that same day, a brilliant mathematician is locked away inside a Moscow prison that houses the country's brightest minds. He and his fellow prisoners are charged with using their abilities to sleuth out the caller's identity, and they must choose whether to aid Joseph Stalin's repressive state - or refuse and accept transfer to the Siberian Gulag camps...and almost certain death.

First written between 1955 and 1958, In the First Circle is Solzhenitsyn's fiction masterpiece. In order to pass through Soviet censors, many essential scenes - including nine full chapters - were cut or altered before it was published in a hastily translated English edition in 1968. Now with the help of the author's most trusted translator, Harry T. Willetts, here for the first time is the complete, definitive English edition of Solzhenitsyn's powerful and magnificent classic.

©2009 Aleksandr I. Solzhenitsyn (P)2018 Tantor Literary Fiction Soviet Union Thought-Provoking Stalin Russia Fiction Classics Genre Fiction Inspiring Soviet Space Program
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Critic reviews

"[An] indelible novel of towering artistry, caustic wit, moral clarity, and spiritual fire." (Booklist, starred review)

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Masterful Storytelling • Richly Drawn Characters • Philosophical Discussions • Historical Authenticity

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I've read One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich twice, but really began to understand the power of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's genius as I listened to this book. The chapters delving into Stalin's inner thoughts (starting with Chapter 19, The Birthday Hero) are fascinating and entertaining even as that part of the novel steps away from the main plotline. And the narration is outstanding!

Fiction based on fact

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Such an amazing book, words fail me. I admire Solzhenitsyn so much for his amazing writing, his amazing storytelling, his mastery of the form. And the narrator of this book is outstanding. All other narrators pale in comparison.

10 stars for the narrator, 10 stars for the book

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The narrator is wonderful, giving voice to so many characters.
There are so many places throughout history that inspire questions starting with, "What was it like.."; this book addresses a place and time well worthy of learning about, and remembering.
I also enjoyed the spiritual aspects.

A treasure, educating and amusing

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I've never read anything like this. I have heard a lot of the author in recent years and this seemed to be a good place to start as Gulag Arch is still in production in Audible.

The awareness of some characters and the complete lack of awareness in others paints a picture that is just incredibly terrifying. Once you read a book of this quality it really reshapes the way you view literature and what "quality" actually means.

One tip to anyone about to start the audible version - PAY VERY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE NAMES OF CHARACTERS! Being a non-Russian speaker, I did at times have a difficult time remembering all of the characters because they are quite complex and there are quite a few. They are all very important and needed, it just took me some time to remember who was who and once you pick up on the story line it becomes easier. But I've actually thought about listening again and making note cards for myself with quick bullet points about each and which sub-plot the character is involved in.

This is no way, I repeat, no way takes anything away from the book AT ALL.

Calling the novel a Masterpiece does not even begin to do it justice. Thank you to the Solzhenitsyn for giving all of us this!

Masterpiece is an Understatement

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An outstanding narration of one of the greatest novels of the 20th century. I very much hope we will see other works by Solzhenitsyn from Audible (e.g. Cancer Ward).

Outstanding!

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