The publication of this book was an extraordinary occurrence in the literary history of Soviet Union because no book openly describing Stalinist repression had ever been published and distributed.
Novy Mir or New World was a journal. By providing a short introduction to the story the editor prepared the readers of the journal for what they were going to experience during their reading of the story.
Up to this day, five English translations have been produced. The book has already been translated into several other languages.
The spellings of the names of the characters in English translations slightly differ but the story remains unchanged.
The book is widely discussed among the literary circles and academic institution. It is also prescribed in the course of study at several educational institutions.
