"One Day In The Life of Ivan Denisovich" (2nd Thoughts).

There was one particular part of the book that really spoke to me and that was the part where Alyosha tells Shukhov that he is happy that he is in prison because it helped propel his faith and caused him to gain a deeper and stronger faith.  I do not know if I would be able to think that way, even though I am a Christian.  As Americans I think that we are so spoiled with the blessings of freedom that we often forget the hardship that some of our Christian brothers and sisters are forced to endure on a daily basis.  As of now I know that my faith is minuscule compared to Alyosha's but one day I hope I can look at difficult circumstances the way he does instead of the way I have been.  Personally, I think this portion of the story was meant to give encouragement to the reader that the characters can prevail, even though they are forced to endure their present circumstances.