Involuntary Journey to Siberia

Rating:
Summary: A Voluntary Read
Review: There is much written of the Siberian exiles during the time of Stalin and the famous Gulags. This book takes us two generations forward from the time of Stalin. Although the Great Terror is now resigned to the history books, Amalrik writes effectively about the communist society of his era. The rigidness and intolerance still exists. Moscovites cannot trust their neighbours. The bureaucracy is everywhere. Paranoia is the rule of thumb.

The book contains wit and tongue and cheek irony. In becoming a victim of the system, Amalrik also becomes an observer. The secret police who are almost apologetic at what they must do. The forlorn hopelessness and inefficiencies of the Siberian collective farms are things that legends are made of. And, of course, those individuals who can't for a moment help themselves because of their devotion to Vodka give a human face to the drama.

Because the book is not one that ends in tragedy, Amalrik can afford to approach the topic in a less than heavy handed manner. The book is a life experience and well worth the time. Historically, it has its merits too, as another testament to the decay and inevitable dissolution of the Soviet and commninist society.

The book is fairly short and a quick read as well.