He chose to go in exile in the United States. This explains why he chose the vast, sparsely populated expanse of Vermont's Green Mountains. This wooded, snowy region with rough weather has the added advantage of reminding him of his beloved Russia. It is the extraordinary wealth of American universities regarding Russian manuscripts, books and documents pertaining to the 1917 revolution. I can use them, which greatly facilitates my work.
Work is the key word in the author's life.
Solzhenitsyn turned 65 on Dec. 11. He hopes that God will grant him time and strength to complete his great project. Solzhenitsyn gracefully accepts the requirements of a television interview. The one thing he will not do is repeat his gestures and words. He agrees that the camera should capture all his movements, but refuses to act.