In the First Circle

By: Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, Harry T. Willets - translator

Narrated by: Derek Perkins

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

Critic reviews

"[An] indelible novel of towering artistry, caustic wit, moral clarity, and spiritual fire." (Booklist, starred review)

Fiction based on fact

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!

10 stars for the narrator, 10 stars for the book

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.

A treasure, educating and amusing

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.

Best Reread

“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.

The full swath

I explained to my young son who wanted to know what this book is about. I said, "It's like dropping a stick from a bridge into the Mississippi River from a bridge. We watch it fall and then start to float and it doesn't take long to come to the other side. But! it is not merely the water which touches the stick directly that decides where exactly it comes out but every surface current and under current all the way across and before and after the stick which influence where it comes out. This book doesn't move far forward but goes in depth to the forces big and small, near and far, the entire swath of influences the bring the plot to the end. Further, he is telling the truth of life in communist Russia, and the truth is powerful.

True Russian Novel

The narrator was superlative! Best ever. True to any Russian story I’ve ever read there was a multitude of characters and parallel storylines. I confess difficult for me to keep track of, but o found that I didn’t need to fully understand every plot twist (if you can call them that). To get the impact of Solzhenitsyn history and amazing analysis of what was going on in Soviet Russia Not to far off from the WOKE movement now. We’re headed that way. Cautionary

should be read by all people who are free.

A long story but informative. What I am afraid is coming to the USA.

Compelling

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.

Excellent

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

In the trenches view of tomorrows America

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