Alexander Solzhenitsyn introduces Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, the key character of his planned multi-volume chronicle of Russian revolutionary history, in his novel, Lenin in Zurich. In this fascinating biographical novel Solzhenitsyn explores and illuminates the important years 1914-17, drawing a gripping psychological portrait of the man who was the architect of the Revolution, with unrivaled knowledge of the events and individuals. From his arrest in Cracow and subsequent flight to Zurich at the outbreak of World War I to his departure for Russia in 1917 in a sealed train protected by the German government.
Lenin in Zurich chronicles Lenin's frustrating exile in Switzerland, years in which he stood alone, without support from the deeply divided European socialist movement and isolated from his fellow revolutionaries. Solzhenitsyn investigates the private individual as well as the public figure.
4 comments:
You might be interest in: Conspirator – Lenin in Exile: The Making of a Revolutionary by Helen Rappaport. My review is here:
https://cyberkittenspot.blogspot.com/2021/04/just-finished-reading-conspirator-lenin.html
CyberKitten,
Thanks for the recommendation. I will look into the book by Helen Rappaport.
Ohh, this can't help but be fascinating given the author.
Stephen,
It truly is and provides, along with One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, a good short introduction to the writings of Solzhenitsyn.
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