Helpful Score: 2
Reviewing a classic is always difficult business. Most people are likely familiar with the storyline, if only from the Omar Sharif film. Pasternak tells the story of an elite doctor and his family whose lives are thrown into turmoil by the Russian Revolution. During the revolution Zhivago loses his connections to his family and his wealth. But weaving throughout this undeniably tragic tale is the real focus, Zhivago's blossoming relationship with a young woman, Lara. The two come in and out of contact during the war, due more to the vagaries of circumstance than to careful planning, knowledge, or ability to execute travel plans. What results is a deeply tender and moving relationship formed in the crucible of wartime. Pasternak had a clear political agenda in Zhivago, to show the cruelty and violence of the Bolshevik regime, and to highlight the dangers of a corrupted regime. The suffering and misery of the Russian people are clearly acute, and Pasternak presents a vibrant portrait of life in Russia at war. In many ways this reads like so many Russian classics-- deep moral themes, dense plot structure, and a brilliant recreation of environment. It's difficult to review a work of great literature, but I much enjoyed Zhivago. I got the message, I felt the pathos, and I soaked up the Russian environment. I absorbed every bit of this book that I could.
Helpful Score: 1
"Doctor Zhivago" is a gripping story about life, love, and the tragedy of war. Not an easy read at first, but it is an enduring and powerful one.
Having absolutely loved the movie (seen it three times) I think I went into this novel with expectations way too high. I did not enjoy the book nearly as much as I did the movie. Pasternak deserves high praise for his courageous writings, especially this novel; however, I just was not able to connect with the various characters. Too many of the historical references were way to short in description and, IMO would only be understood by someone with a high level of knowledge in Russian history.
The story of the life and loves of a poet/physician during the turmoil of the Russian Revolution. A classic.
This is the novel from which the popular movie "Dr. Zhivago" was taken. It is a true Russian novel with lots of characters with confusing names and a rather tedious style of writing. But, it's a classic!
The story of Zhivago's tender love for Lara: one of the great novels of the 20th century. A love story for all time set in Russia during their revolutionary times.
1958 Signet PB w/Wrap has Movie Tie-in:pre-ISBN: Wraps worn, rubs and creased at corners. Copy tight/solid & Square w/natural page tanning.
I just read a review on Amazon that this particular version (an Amazon release?) it NOT complete. It says it is missing the poetry and that the formatting is very poor. DO read Dr. Zhivago, definitely DO, just not this one.
I really enjoyed this book as it was reminiscent of War and Peace to me. It portrayed another wartorn era in Russian history when people's lives were turned upside down.
