This book having been banned in the author’s homeland for decades was apparently brought to widespread publication with the aid of https://lithub.com/the-cia-scheme-that-brought-doctor-zhivago-to-the-world/
It was Merril who alerted me to the scheme, concerning which this article puts the work in perspective.
The immediate popularity of this courageous novel on its 1958 publication by the Italian publisher, Feltrinelli is suggested by the fact that my copy is the 8th impression during the months of September to November of that same year produce by Collins and Harvill Press. I am not sure how long my second-hand book, bearing the pencilled price of £1 has languished on my bookshelves while waiting for my fingers to turn the pages.
Pasternak demonstrates how the destructive turmoils of the formative decades of the Communist regime affected the lives of humanity; the sacrifice of community to the all-powerful state; how the individual has been lost to the ideology; and yet the inevitable confused chaos until the rise of rule by fear. His observations on the power of the lie to influence political over personal beliefs have, to this day, never left these lands, as we see in the continued warfare devastating them today.
The eponymous main protagonist in the story, in his thoughts, in his conversations, in his diary extracts, and in his posthumously published poetry carries the voice of Pasternak’s philosophy of life, of nature, and of history. Despite how well known the tale is, particularly from its screen interpretations, I will try to continue my practice of revealing as little detail as possible.
The ultimate tragedy of this period seems to be the frequent separation of lovers and family members caused by the enforced geographical upheavals. Just as we still see today, families, sometimes never to be reunited, are dispersed across the globe, and freedom is an elusive dream. Parted protagonists spend decades trying to find each other, often to no avail or too late.
This is a lengthy novel, yet the prose is so fast-paced as to facilitate easy reading. The author’s descriptive passages of events, locations, and personalities are packed with simile, and to some extent metaphor, adding a lively richness. He handles conversation and the complexity of relationships with considerable insight. Some of his pastoral passages are delightful. He evokes the settings with simple sentences suggesting surroundings, like hens crossing the ground; and uses the weather to indicate mood or conditions. Sunlight can be as telling as Siberia’s snow and bitter cold.
When humanity is not sacrificed to blind adherence to policies there are struggles over guilt, particularly in extramarital liaisons.
Although I know no Russian it seems to me that the translators, Max Hayward and Manya Harari have produced a worthy version, especially as they acknowledge their limitations in translating Zhivago’s poems which form the last sections of the book.
I spent much of the day finishing my reading of the book and drafting this post.
This evening we dined at The Red Lion in Boldre, where Jackie enjoyed her meaty burger meal with extra onion rings, and Peroni; and I did the same with my beer battered haddock, chips and peas, with a Chilean Merlot.
Another very eloquent book review, Derrick. You could make this a post retirement career.
Thank you so much, Pat.
When 3.5 hour movie came out we went in to the movie house in the evening and it wasn’t snowing when we came out it was deep in snow and late at night – – very fitting for the movie
Gosh, that was so fitting, Sherry. Thank you very much
I’m so glad you enjoyed the book because I remembered enjoying it, too. I also enjoyed his descriptions and lyricism. I often think of the scene where he sees a a candle–in a window, and that becomes a poem later. I may have to reread it because I’m not certain what was the book and what was the movie. 🙂
It is in the book – I haven’t seen the Classic David Lean film. Thanks very much, Merril
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Doctor Zhivago, a wonderful book (I read it in German many years ago) later on I watched the movie, which, to my surprise, is also very good and close to the book.
Thank you very much, Bridget
I am pleased that you have appreciated this novel, as I certainly appreciate your review, Derrick. As far as I know, this is a good translation of the prose, and, as the translators themselves admit, a, let’s say, challenged translation of Pasternak’s poetry.
Thank you so much, Dolly. Your response was eagerly awaited
Oh! Such a wonderful review of a fave book of mine! Thank you for writing this, and sharing this, Derrick.
The movie is a great movie, too!
(((HUGS))) and ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ to all of you! 🙂
One of my fave quotes: “And remember: you must never, under any circumstances, despair. To hope and to act, these are our duties in misfortune.” – Boris Pasternak (Doctor Zhivago)
Thank you very much, Carolyn X
Thank you for posting the link to the Lit Balm article, which I just read. I’d known that the manuscript had been smuggled out of the USSR, but I didn’t know about the CIA’s role in the book’s publication and distribution. Fascinating!
I remember thinking that Pasternak’s prose was pretty clunky in places, and I wondered about the translation. I just checked the edition I read, which lists the same translators as your copy. I should probably reread it. (I might have been in my gritty minimalism phase.)
Thanks very much, Liz. 🙂
Interesting review and article. I’ve seen the film and loved it but I feel the book may be a step too far as I lack the reading stamina I used to have,
Thanks very much, Quercus
Derrick, thanks for your engaging review of Doctor Zhivago and for sharing the article about the CIA’s intrigue in putting it out into the world. I’ve never read the novel, but the movie left a lasting impression when I saw it in my youth.
Thank you very much, Rosaliene. I’ve never seen the movie 🙂
I read this years ago and I liked it better than Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina.
Thanks very much, Arlene. I can see that
Thank you for your very informative review Derrick …I won’t be rushing out to buy a copy … Haha … I have over 50 unread books on my bookcase still waiting to be opened …
I know that problem, Ivor 🙂 Thanks very much
I thought you would ????????
Thank you Derrick, I have read Dr.Zhivago a captivating novel as amazing as the movie based in it. Dinner sounds delicious!
Much appreciated, Holly
Your beautiful review has placed this novel on my list. I’m sure when I read it, my mind will hear the music from the film playing in the background as I do now.
Thank you very much, JoAnna
What a beautiful review, Derrick. It’s on my list to read this one day. You have just nudged it up a good bit. I still have the music playing in my head since I read the title.
Thanks very much, Dale
????
So it was a film, too? I enjoyed reading your review, Derrick. It has piqued my interest in the book.
Thank you very much, Lavinia. I haven’t seen the David Lean classic film but it is acclaimed as a masterpiece.
This takes me back some years ago to reading it for the first time. Much later, it was my pleasure to teach about the film, which I did not tire of watching.
Thanks very much, Anne
I did Russian from 1966-1972 and never saw anything in Russian by either Pasternak or Solzhenitsyn. This was because neither author was published by the Soviets. Solzhenitsyn was actually published in Paris by YMCA Press, and was extremely expensive. For those reasons, I am unable to say whether the Russian of either author was simple, like Tolstoy, or, like Dostoevsky, was extremely complex.
Nowadays, you may well struggle to buy any Russian literature in its original language.
Thank you for this useful addition, John
Hi Derrick, Regretfully, I haven’t read the book, but I adored the film of Dr. Zhivago. The direction, photography and heart-breaking story, aided by the deeply moving music, marked it out as outstanding. Thank you.
Thanks very much, Joy. I should see the film
Judging by your description of what you read, the translation of the book was very close to the original and conveyed all the subtleties of that period of Russian reality, Siberian nature, human tragedies.
Thank you so much, Alexander
great review, Derrick! i have not read the book but i loved the movie Dr. Zhivago:)
Thank you very much, Wilma
Another interesting book!
Thank you very much, Ribana
Remember the film well
Actually I haven’t seen it – yet. Thanks very much, Sheree
It’s a Classic