One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich

written by Alexander Solzhenitsyn

Once again, I blame my husband for the inspiration to read this novel. When he said to me, "it all takes place over one day," at first, I wanted to cry. How could this be interesting? "I woke up, brushed my teeth, took a shower, got dressed, went downstairs, made oatmeal, ate it, and walked to the office to pay rent." Riveting. Then he mentioned the part about it being set in a Stalinist work camp. And let's face it, reading the entirety of his Gutenberg bookshelf is the absolute closest I am going to get to my own education.
So, I read.

The book is short, only 139 pages, and that is reason number one why you can't excuse not reading "One Day in the Life..."

The eloquence behind the writing is a mesmerizing contrast to the horrific subject matter of this novel. The attitude of the men, their determination and dedication to survival and life provided me with a map of sorts to guide my happiness in life. We're taught not to compare ourselves with others. We are all unique and therefore our lives should be too. But, I never succeed in this.
Strangely, I'm dealing with the same topic as I was in the aftermath of "Moral Disorder"...to live life, despite happiness or tragedy and so on, life is to live. This seems to be my new creed, but I will always struggle with the being thankful part.

I grew up loving a good mystery, but reason two to read "One Day in the Life", is the heart-pounding stress I felt at each page turn - it is so much better than a Nancy Drew who-dun-it.

There's such a good feeling I have when at the end of a novel I am relieved to have devoured the story in its entirety and reached the conclusion, but depressed because it's over and there is nothing left (that's perhaps why I'm such a sucker for an author's second or third work). This novel has given me that. I have learned that a good book is supposed to be read more than once and this is a good book. And so, I'll add it to the shelf of works to read over and over again. And I'll ponder life through a little clearer lens and with a little more clarity. That's what a good book does to me, it makes me think again and again.