A day in the life of Ivan Denosovich:
I thought the story was actully going to be worse.  What I mean is, I was anticipating reading things that would make my jaw drop, things of a prisoner's life that one could only imagine.  However, I was pleasantly surprised to read about a 'normal' day in prison...a practical one. 
I found myself often remembering the tv show, Hogan's Heroes.  There was the dress code, the way they walked around the compound, etc that brought back those memories.  Of course, I realize that Hogan's Heroes was television, but perhaps there was some truth to the show.  Ivan's daily life was quite mundane and very harsh...at least in the winter time.  I would like to know how summer would differ.  I was surprised to read about how they would lay bricks in such cold weather.  I understand the prison needed to make sure the prisoners kept busy, but as Shukov put it, winter isn't exactly the best time to be laying brick if one wants the wall to be put together well.
I'll post more about my feelings/thoughts on the book in my next post.