Notable Russian author passes away at 89

By Kathleen RSS Tue, August 5, 2008

A favorite among academic reading lists and often compared to Russian greats like Tolstoy, notable author Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn recently passed away at the age of 89. Born in Kislovodosk, Russia, the celebrated writer based his debut work on his own experiences serving an almost decade-long prison sentence. One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, the well-known novella that may have graced your required reading list at some point, depicts a prisoner’s life in Stalin’s concentration camps. The work quickly drew attention and praise from around the world, and Solzhenitsyn followed with esteemed works such as The Gulag Archipelago, 1918:1956: An Experiment in Literary Investigation, The First Circle, and Cancer Ward. The writings garnered Solzhenitsyn further acclaim, and in 1970, he was awarded the prestigious Nobel Prize for literature. Four years later, however, he was exiled from the USSR. Solzhenitsyn immigrated to the U.S. and settled in Vermont, where he continued to write. Following the fall of the communist regime in the Soviet Union, he moved back to Moscow in 1994, where he lived until his death on August 3, 2008.

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Great Post
Jim - Philadelphia
Tuesday, August 5, 2008

was he notable? was he maybe on a few required reading lists? but was he esteemed? did he write acclaimed works? have I perhaps read some of his lauded novels as a requisite component of a class?
name - Philadelphia
Tuesday, August 5, 2008

'first circle' AND 'one day in the life...' were both in my high school curriculum. as excited as i was that one day in the life was so short, i was annoyed that first circle was so long. and now, looking back, it changed my life that they were assigned. i'd never read a russian novel, and of course i found out immediately what i was missing. rip
tim - philadelphia
Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Would like to read an appropriate excerpt from his most famous publication.
KM - Philadelphia
Saturday, August 16, 2008

Notable Russian author passes away at 89. Possibly the most brilliant author of his era. Certainly the most dedicated. I first read his work when I left school many years ago and I'm still reading them now. A sad day for the literary world, and, for those who should take note of the contents of his work More on this topic
Philip - Example: Philadelphia
Sunday, September 28, 2008

Thanks for this information.
Rachiel - Pittsburgh, PA
Sunday, November 23, 2008