Grey Is the Color of Hope

This memoir by a Russian physicist and poet offers a detailed look into the lives and imprisonment of political and ideological deviants in the 1980s USSR. The book was written soon after her release from prison. As a result, the first part is angry and lacks some of the insight that could be obtained with distance and perspective. The second half is better though and the book is book is well worth reading, both as an inside look into recent Russian history, and as the inspiring story of a woman who went to great lengths to stand up for her beliefs.

Ratushinskaya, ther very accomplished poet and former Soviet exile, has produced here one of the most rspectable and well arranged books of all time. I expect it will go down as one of the most prominent and exceptional gifts of memoir for the entirety ofthe twentieth century. Unjustifiably charged in 1983 for "anti-Soviet agitation and propaganda" (whatever that may actually mean is obviously conjectural)for her stance on human rights and opposition to persecution of personal religious freedom and conviction, Ratushinskaya was imprisoned with a sentence of seven years, four of which were filled. Her memoir here attests to a type of courage seldom seen in any era and exceed the sometimes absurd limitations imposed by politicoes as well, the genre of writing of such an ordeal. This book, along with the follow up ("In the Beginning") are highly impressionable, admirable and an answer to anyone who ever thought either one respected for their insights or convictions seldom put to paper such depth and maturity. I haveenormous repsect for her and can highly recommend to anyone this book.

I found the novel not only to be beautifully written and inspiring but also very educational. It describes what commonly happened in the Soviet Union to people like Irina Ratushinskaya. It is hard to believe that life in prison can be filled with hope, friendship and such morality. The novel is a testament to the stregnth of a human spirit.

I started reading this book after finding it in my gramma's book shelf. I'm not a big book reader, but I couldn't stop reading this. It really shows the hardships of prison. Each page shows compassion, and strength, the depth and detail makes my heart go out to the women in the story. This novel left me in tears. It is one of the best novels ever written. Ratushinskaya is a wonderful writter.