Description:

Solzhenitsyn Alexander

Single page ALS, penned in his native Russian on recto and verso, 5.75" x 8.25". Dated and signed by Solzhenitsyn. Signed with abbreviated signature, center fold, else fine condition. Accompanied by an English translation.

A fantastic letter penned only two years before his death, to which Solzhenitsyn acknowledges within this ALS that he is "almost running out of time". This warrior who perhaps fought battles with more undaunted courage with his pen then many with their sword, Solzhenitsyn would never allow himself to fall down, and would never compromise his beliefs (or his freedom to express himself), even if it were to be at the expense of his comfort, life, and country. Solzhenitsyn, born in 1918, just months after the Revolution, already was thrown into combat as captain on the East Prussian front during the Second World War, and survived; he was arrested in 1945 for making jokes in letters to a friend about Stalin (“the man with the mustache”) and was sentenced to a total of eight years in the Gulag (spending one year in a prisoners’ research center) and to “perpetual” internal exile in Kazakhstan, and survived; while he was still in Kazakhstan, he also survived a case of stomach cancer that doctors assured him was terminal; on 8 August 1971, Solzhenitsyn was poisoned with what was later determined to be ricin, but survived, and, despite the best efforts of the Politburo, won.

At the time of this letter, Solzhenitsyn had returned to Russia, not a pariah but a free man.

Solzhenitsyn's body of works always spoke his voice, always willing to fight oppression without hesitation speak on his experiences, his philosophies, his view and critique his Country regardless of possible retribution by the governmental machine. His letter below still reflects his never ending need to understand Russia and human nature, and still shows his concern and discontentment. Ever questioning right and wrong, he makes references to an article by Egerman noting he "misses the depth of the life meaning".

"His diagnosis for Russia is dreadful - it is difficult to argue, but challenging to readily accept. As for his suggested country yardstick - it fails to grasp the entire essence of the life of the nation, and it misses the depth of the life meaning, (not all the viewpoints are observed)".

This rare letter is shown in full below:

"Dear Michael Ruvimovich,

I am to blame for responding infrequently or not always. But as my work day gets narrow, written correspondence slips away from my life completely.

I am glad that you maintain your creative edge (I could not say so about myself). I would read your "Arabs and Jews" with great interest - but only if my life spares enough time for it: I am almost running out of time.

Thank you for forwarding the Egerman's article — it is very interesting and quite in-depth. (His writing was always high level).

His diagnosis for Russia is dreadful - it is difficult to argue, but challenging to readily accept. As for his suggested country yardstick - it fails to grasp the entire essence of the life of the nation, and it misses the depth of the life meaning, (not all the viewpoints are observed).

I congratulate you on the addition to your list of grandchildren, and the joy that they are giving you. (I still only have four, and I am not young as I once was). God willing, prosperity and well-being be brought to you and your family.

Friendly handshake.

Yours, Alexander Solzhenitsyn"

Shortly before his death, in a 2007 interview with Der Spiegel, Solzhenitsyn still was expressing disappointment that the "conflation of 'Soviet' and 'Russian', against which he spoke so often in the 1970s, which 'has not passed away in the West, in the ex-socialist countries, or in the former Soviet republics. The elder political generation in communist countries is not ready for repentance, while the new generation is only too happy to voice grievances and level accusations, with present-day Moscow [as] a convenient target. They behave as if they heroically liberated themselves and lead a new life now, while Moscow has remained communist. Nevertheless, I dare [to] hope that this unhealthy phase will soon be over, that all the peoples who have lived through communism will understand that communism is to blame for the bitter pages of their history."

A fantastic piece of literary, social and political history, by a man whose purpose in life was to elevate awareness at all costs.

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