Ivan Denisovitch - Vanya or Shukhov for short - is serving his 15-year sentence in the Gulag. His sentence is close to over, but he knows that means nothing to the authorities. During the course of one day, the reader joins him as he makes the most of it, finding satisfaction in the smallest things.

There is a bit of bad language, as that was usual and the author wanted to give an accurate portrayal.

Religion is seen as a rickety crutch for people down and out, but the message of seeing hope in the small blessings is quite Christian.

There are no chapters - it's one continuous story - but there are breaks every now and then.

I'd recommend this to an older audience, especially those interested in the more mundane sides of life in the Gulag.