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 Classics Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Russia Soviet Union Thought-Provoking Inspiring Stalin Soviet Space Program

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 • Superb Russian Pronunciation • Historical Significance • Perfect Voice
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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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A long story but informative. What I am afraid is coming to the USA.

should be read by all people who are free.

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This story draws you into the life of communist prison inmates. It gives you a truly individual level of insight into the suffering of people ruled by communism.

Compelling

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Truly one of the great novels of all time. Very highly recommended and excellent narration.

Excellent

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Sad look at what so much power in so few hands can do when it trickles down to the masses.

In the trenches view of tomorrows America

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The narration is excellent. Well worth the 32 hour investment of time needed to get through this masterpiece. Read it for all the victims of Soviet communism who died unseen and unknown but are here given voice, one that will long outlive the ugly shouts of their oppressors. Read it, too, as a cautionary tale.

A moving witness to the dehumanizing evil of communism

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This book gives you a real insight into life in the Soviet Union. Despite being mostly focused on the life of prisoners, you understand that the prisoners existence wasn't very different from that of a civilian. You were either a prisoner or a prisoner to be.

A sense of life under communism.

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“In the First Circle” could not be more time appropriate for those of us in the west. The first time I read it it felt a bit distant. But now, Its happening here as we speak. As authoritarianism takes root, the story of arrests, imprisonment, forced confessions, et al seem as real as they could possibly be. This should be required reading!! Don’t wait.. READ this.

Best Reread

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