10 well-known writers who wrote his books in prison

Remembering famous literary works that were written by their authors during their stay in "places not so remote."

, Vladimir Lenin, "The Development of Capitalism in Russia"

on this monograph, Lenin began to work in 1896, while in prison after being arrested in the case of the St. Petersburg "League of Struggle for the liberation of the working class." He finished the book in 1899 in exile in the village of Shushenskoye. For three years working on the book, Lenin studied a huge number of books, articles, monographs, and statistical reference books on the Russian economy.

Harry Gray "Bandits"

The autobiographical novel that Gray wrote in solitary confinement in prison at Sing Sing. Later this book was the basis of the plot of the famous film by Sergio Leone "Once in America". Gray's book itself is one of the few autobiographies of real gangsters.

The Marquis de Sade "120 Days of Sodom"

The work on his novel De Sade began October 22, 1785, while imprisoned in the Bastille. The entire book was written in tiny handwriting on 12 meters of toilet paper in just 37 days. Marquis de Sade himself until the end of his days believed that the manuscript was lost forever during the storming of the Bastille July 14, 1789. But she survived. The truth is the first publication of the book took place only in 1904.

Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra "Don Quixote"

During the beginning of the work on this book Miguel de Cervantes was imprisoned for embezzlement of public money, which he had to buy supplies for the "Armada" - 130 ships of the Spanish fleet. However, his sentence was not very big. The first part of the novel "The Ingenious Hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha" was published a few years after the rehabilitation of the writer.

Nikolai Chernyshevsky "What?"

The well-known writer and publicist Nikolai Chernyshevsky in July 1862 was imprisoned in the Peter and Paul Fortress for the fact that it is very severely criticized the peasant reform of 1861 in his proclamation "Barsky peasants from their bow-wishers." It was there, in the fortress, just a few months later, he wrote his most famous novel, "What should I do?". The Special Commission and the censors, having studied the manuscript, saw in it only love lyrics and nothing else. This is what has allowed the product to reach the circulation. Mistake, of course, soon noticed the novel was banned, but it was too late.

Gregory David Roberts 'Shantaram'

autobiographical novel by Australian writer, in which he talks about his life in India. One part of the book is entirely devoted to the author's stay in Indian jail. It was there that he began to write the story, which then spread through the world million copies.

O. Henry's "story"

Before becoming a famous writer William Sydney Porter worked as a cashier in one of Texas banks. Exactly as long as it had not been fired from there for the loss. A failed schemers had to hide from the police, but in the end it is still caught and sent to prison for three years. It was there that he was born pen name O. Henry, and the first story "The Christmas Gift of Dick-Whistler."

Julius Fucik "Reporting with a noose around his neck"

The most poignant book Czechoslovak journalist and fighter against fascism. In 1942 he was arrested by the Gestapo and wrote his book waiting for the death penalty. That's why it turned out so sincere and impressive. In 1943, Julius Fucik was executed. And in 1950 - posthumously awarded the International Peace Prize.

Thomas Malory's "Morte d'Arthur"

It was Sir Thomas Malory world owes a modern version of the legend of King Arthur, based on the Celtic folk tales and ancient chivalry. His eight novels about the origin, glorious military activities and the death of the King, Thomas Malory wrote while in prison 20-year exile. Precise data on the his crimes did not survive, but it is believed that Mallory, being a knight and a representative of the Parliament, was also a very unbalanced person. He attacked the possession of political opponents and raped married women, for which he paid 20 years' imprisonment.

Jean Genet "Our Lady of the Flowers"

It was this novel opened the doors to aspiring writers serious literary world. And he wrote it in prison, which hit for stealing from a bookshop a volume of Marcel Proust. However, to be in prison for the wife was a matter of habit. Ever since adolescence, he repeatedly found himself behind bars for various theft. That's why the characters in his novels, all entirely by representatives of the social bottom - thieves, murderers, prostitutes, pimps and smugglers.