One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich

By: Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

Narrated by: Richard Brown

Length: 5 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's Summary

One of the most extraordinary literary documents to have emerged from the Soviet Union, this is the story of labor camp inmate Ivan Denisovich Shukhov and his struggle to maintain his dignity in the face of Communist oppression. Based on the author’s own experience in the gulags, where he spent nearly a decade as punishment for making derogatory remarks against Stalin, the novel is an unforgettable portrait of the entire world of Stalin’s forced work camps. An instant classic upon publication in 1962, it confirmed Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn’s international stature as “a literary genius whose talent matches that of Dostoevsky, Turgenev, Tolstoy” (Harrison Salisbury).

©1978 Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn (P)1992 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic Reviews

“Richard Brown’s razor-sharp narration perfectly suits this fine translation.”– ( Library Journal)

" One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich yields, more than anything else, a beautiful sense of its author as a Chekhovian figure: simple, free of literary affectation, wholly serious.” ( New Republic)

I wanted way more than one day -

I agree with one reviewer that the first 10 minutes are painful and I did consider turning it off. So glad I didn't though. This snapshot "day" opens the world of Stalin's forced labor camps. There is magic in the details, the thoughts, the motives... the bite of sausage, the bread in the mattress. I am so glad it was a good day he chose to share, since I felt almost as if with him. A classic I should have read years ago and will read again.

Most engaging book I have heard/read in months

I was a little reluctant to listen to this book as I was aware of the subject matter, a detailing of life in the Soviet gulag post- World War II, which sounds rather depressing. The reality of the experience was quite the opposite - a detailed description of a day in the life of an inmate of a forced labour camp, Ivan Denisovich, was engaging, and completely absorbing. Listening how the men were able to survive the seemingly endless series of days without hope of release or improvement in their gray, difficult tormented lives was in a strange way, very uplifting. Their endless sense of resourcefulness was touching, and despite the vast unjustness of their situation, the book paints a wonderful picture of human resilience, and leaves one with the sense that no matter how bad things get, one can always find meaning in the minutae of daily existence.

Narrator's voice spoils story

Having studied and read the text, I was deeply disappointed by Richard Brown's reading. His voice is grating, nasal and not suited to this novel at all. I struggled to get through this audio book, and wish I had bought the other version on Audible. This is what happens when you don't listen to a sample first before purchasing.

Will haunt you the rest of your life

What made the experience of listening to One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich the most enjoyable?

Actually, this is not an "enjoyable" book. It is, on the other hand, one of the most important books ever written about the 20th century. The story of Russia under Stalinst rule would be completely unbelievable if it weren't completely true.

What did you like best about this story?

How understated it is. By not overdoing it the auther made the story more powerful.

Which scene was your favorite?

I did not have a favorite scene. The book is so short it reads like a one-act play

Who was the most memorable character of One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich and why?

The narrator because his is the only mind tha author explores.

Any additional comments?

The reader for this book was a perfect choice. His almost machine like delivery might annoy some people but it suits the material.

use a little expression please

What did you like best about One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich? What did you like least?

I remember my elementary teachers would always coach us to

What did you like best about this story?

The story it's self. The description of the gulag life is overwhelming. That humans can adjust and live under those circumstances..... amazing

How did the narrator detract from the book?

no expression.... very boring

Was One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich worth the listening time?

I've read this book 4-5 times, it never looses its impact.

Best narrative so far.

This was by far the best translation I have read yet. I loved it!

Great book

So interesting and heartbreaking, One Day in the Life felt like a window into the harsh world and experience of life at the mercy of the gulag and the work (slave) camps. It was a good read.

Extremely important book for those thinking socialism is good.

Phenomenal book, although the reading is a 4/5 for me. Important lessons are learned by those who survived socialism and this book portrays real life in the Soviet Union beautifully.

A fine book, but too much cut-glass BBC accent

In the final chapter, there's a very faint second voice in the left ear/speaker - either someone else reading another book close by, in the same Gulag, or a problem with the recording. The reader is a little too posh for this narrative.

Barely Fiction

Why this isn't required reading everywhere in the world is evidence of the continued plague of Marxism upon mankind. The feedback from survivors of the Gulag reported that this story, the first of the damning indictments of the Soviet Union (and Marxism in general) that Solzhenitsyn had published, was that many of them had difficulty in separating this story from their own experience. A masterpiece of history and literature.