Аудиокнига: Архипелаг ГУЛАГ (сокращенная аудиоверсия)

«The archipelago arises from the sea» — this is the title of the chapter about the legendary early Soviet Solovki. What are the outlines of the emerging Archipelago? Following the author, we step into a boat, on which we will sail from island to island, then squeezing through narrow channels, then rushing straight channels, then choking in the waves of the open sea. Such is the power of his art that from outside spectators we quickly turn into participants in the journey: we shudder from the hiss «You are under arrest!» on death row — and through the comedy of «trial», or even without him, throws us out to the islands of the Archipelago.

Day after day we ride in a «carriage» packed with prisoners, tormented by thirst; thieves are robbing us at the shipment; in the camps in Kolyma and Siberia, we, exhausted by hunger, freeze on «general work». If we have enough strength, we look around and see around — and listen to stories — peasants and priests, intellectuals and workers, former party members and military men, informers and «idiots», criminals and «youngsters», people of all faiths and peoples inhabiting the Soviet Union.

“Let the reader shut the book who expects it to be a political exposure,” wrote Solzhenitsyn. “If it were so simple! But the line dividing good and evil crosses the heart of every person … This line is mobile, it fluctuates in us over the years. Even in the heart, embraced by evil, it holds a small foothold for good. Even in the kindest heart — an unrooted corner of evil. «

This book is about the ascent of the human Spirit, about its single combat with evil. That is why, closing it, the reader, in addition to pain and anger, feels a surge of strength and light.

© text A. Solzhenitsyn (heirs)

© & ℗ SP Vorobiev V.A.

© & ℗ ID SOYUZ

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