Dr. Zhivago: Review by Barbara

“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.)