“Dr. Zhivago” by Boris
Pasternak
Review by Barbara Lechner
November 2013
*Note: try to get the copy with the Introduction by John
Bayley. That really helped set the stage and gave some clues to who/what/where.
Reading a Russian novel is somewhat like plowing through snow
until you find the road or a good pair of skis. So many Russian names, with
nicknames, and names used by loved ones. It took a while to get comfortable
with the characters and determine which would be of importance and which to
pass over. Many characters re-emerge in later portions of the novel.
Once I got to that comfort level, it was smooth
sailing...pretty smooth. I rented the movie with Omar Sharif and Julie Christie
about half way through the reading. That helped tremendously! Of course the
book is much better. The writing is poetic and so much richer.
The setting is pre-revolution Russia (not for long, though).
There is unrest among the “common” man due to terrible working conditions and
pay. We call it poverty today. Dr. Zhivago is raised by an Aunt and Uncle in
the bourgeois circles of Moscow. While he is well-educated and becomes a
doctor...although being a poet was his real desire...he had no personal money. This
has importance in the story regarding the perception of the people vs. reality.
Once the revolution breaks out there are several factions
eventually at war with each other...the Bolsheviks, the Reds, the Whites, the
Foresters, and the Partisans. I think Dr. Zhivago was conscripted by most of
them over the years of the war. He was a field doctor and saw a gamut of
atrocities and was transported or walked over much of the countryside.
He had married and had a child before the war. Tonia was
loved by Zhivago but his ultimate meetings with Lara and their bonding during
the war led to a love affair that has been written about over and over. Many
couples at the time of the movie's popularity set this love story as a goal for
their own life.
It wouldn't be fair to give away much more of the story and
it's complicated to relate on one page. I loved this story and hope you do,
too. The novel was a success for Pasternak outside of Russia. Since he had a
“good” relationship with Stalin, he was fairly safe from reprisal. It was
eventually also a huge movie. The song from the movie “Lara's Theme” was played
so much it became a cliché. I'm sure you've heard it and maybe didn’t know what
it was.
My favorite quote from the book: “Man is born to live, not to
prepare for life.” (Zhivago)
I plan to read this book a second time. Enjoy! (it goes well
with a hot cup of tea and a lap blanket.)
