Ilya Gabay (1935–1973) was an active participant in the human rights movement of the 1960–1970s, teacher, and poet. In January 1970, he was sentenced to three years in prison and sent to the Kemerovo general regime camp. The book presents wonderful letters from I. Gabai to his wife, son, classmates and friends at the Pedagogical Institute (MGPI named after Lenin), acquaintances. His last poem, “Selected Places,” was also born in the camp, where the author, in the form of imaginary correspondence with friends, rethought the main motives of his life and work. The reader cannot help but appreciate the moral and intellectual level of the author, the depth of his judgments about life, literature, and his brilliant humor. The book also includes I. Gabai’s last word at the trial, which is not only not outdated, but even today reads like topical journalism. The cover design uses a bas-relief by V. Sidur. Photos on the insert are from home archives.