First Circle - Definition and Overview

The First Circle is a novel by Alexander Solzhenitsyn, the title of which is based on a quotation from Dante. It describes three or so days in the life of the Mavrino prison camp along with its occupants, most of whom are scientists or other academics who have been arrested under Article 58 of the RSFSR Penal Code under Stalin in the years following the Second World War. The scientists endure barely humane conditions and work on various projects to help the government and generally pander to Stalin's increasing paranoia.

The book is unique in that there are no evil characters (not even Stalin himself). Also, even while describing grim conditions, the author remains cool-headed and often humorous throughout, despite having endured the conditions in his own life.

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