I understand what you mean but I disagree regarding Yuri. Yuri is a true artist who follows his true feelings and passions. he does love Lara deeply but has the Russian trait of fatalism that suggests one cannot control events. he grabs love where he can because he has that Russian feeling that disaster can strike at any moment. to a Russian life is not a logical path or journey with a beginning a middle and an end. it is a series of sketches on landscapes, of momentary happinesses and flashes of inspiration and epiphanies. that is why Russian novels do not have the conventional beginning middle and end of western novels. it is why Russian novels have characters that appear and disappear forever not having moved the plot along. I love your passion but I feel you are unfair on Yuri. he is a perennial seeker of some kind of truth and meaning amid chaos and barbarity.
Thank you for your review. I agree it's worth reading. This is a strange book, there is no main plotline in it, though a human's life is a plotline per se. Despite it this is one of the most impressive books for me. It's definetely a masterpiece. And Zhivago's poems are beautiful )
The most difficult thing about reading known classics is trying to avoid putting modern mores on a different time and cultural norms. A very good synopsis, I love the book by the way. Thank you,
I have watched both movie versions and they are both outstanding movies(1965)(2002)having done that and read the book I would recommend watching the movies 1st so you can get the characters in line...the book is hard to follow character wise but I found it great knowing the characters before hand..hope that makes sense
thank you! I tried to watch the full 1965 movie and it is as sad as the book, I have no troubles remembering the characters, I am used to the Russian names, if this is what you mean :)
Malinka Boris Pasternak has Ukrainian roots originally from Odessa. There's a British Pasternak family living in Oxford also related to Boris . The surname Pasternak is Ukrainian.
Malinka, your thoughts on story are quite naive. Yuri was symbolic of the triumph of Art/Life over the frail mediocrity of human existential conditions. His life, presented in the story, reflected the deep longing of the Russian people for freedom from all forms of tyranny, and thus, Pasternak's genius is pointing out the obvious: It was, in fact, the poet Zhivago...the artist with a soul...who conquers adversity and the cold detached nihilism of totalitarianism and the brutal energies of Bolshevism etc. Zhivago is the symbolic Hero, confronting the heartless tragic reality of the Russian chaos at that time--an individual, who expresses what it meant to be the 'eye and ear' of the vanquished Russian soul. Art (Dr. Zhivago) transcends science--as it reveals the subjective truth of the Russian Spirit--through his wandering search for Love--Pasternak points to music, and how art as the mystical Voice of the Nation, restores faith in the human condition. Yuri's passion: is deeply alive with the joys and sorrows of being human...in moments of tenderness and loneliness, the author himself (through the character of Yuri), strives to know God in all that he encounters. In flowers...in Lara...falling snow...death...lovers...and, yes, in YOU...a child of the far future (today), seeking to understand the wisdom and insights of the artist...from one of the greatest writers of the 20th C. Pasternak, is reaching across space and time...to hopefully enlighten those who seek emancipation from ignorance and slavery. You need to reread the story, and glean new insights from this masterpiece. Cheers from Bermuda/Canada--love Russian art, music, and lit.
What a truly wonderful review!!! Thank you for posting this!!!! I have only seen the movie and I picked that up too about Yuri never following through with a strong commitment to Tonya or Lara. It 's like he would run the race but he would never seem to get himself to cross the Finish Line!!!! Which was very disappointing. In the movie we see him at the end running towards the Finish Line but dies before he can reach it!!!! Every time I am there cheering loudly for Yuri but in the end he always stops just short of the Finish Line. This movie made cry each time I could see potential for Yuri to have a truly wonderful life with Tonya or Lara. Both ladies were GREAT!!!! But Yuri would Not totally dedicate himself to either one!!!!
A lot more dark stuff from the last century was covered by Pasternak's fellow Russian author Solzhenitsyn. His books are not for everybody. The US state I've visited most was the one he chose to live in while in exile.
I thought the movie was better. However, I wonder if when we read any novel in translation are we are really understanding the author's intentions and absorbing and savouring the prose style? Kingsley Amis said something like that and it stuck with me. Kingsley thought that to be able to read a novel in the original language fluently (say "War an Peace") was the only way, because you could then appreciate the author's style, the way he/she used words and 'bent' sentences to create and develop fictional characters in the world of the imagination. (UK)
THINKING ABOUT DR ZHIVAGO IS TOO NOSTALGIC. FOR ME DR ZHIVAGO IS OMAR SHERRIF AND LARA THEME.... STILL I LISTEN TO LARA THEME EVERY DAY . WHAT A PEICE OF MUSIC....
I just couldn't get into this one, but it may have been a right book/wrong time situation for me. I did like the writing style, but something about the story did not grasp my attention at the time. I know someday i'll get back to it and give it another try.
Is it better than that other Russian classic by Ian Fleming - “From Russia with love”? Only joking. Zhivago is on my “must read list” along with Grossman’s “Life and Fate.”
So Interesting to hear your review--I haven't read the book or seen the movie, but my mom LOVES the movie and always told me how romantic it is. It sounds like that is not the case.
Glad you're back! Would this be a good place to start for someone like me that hasn't read any great Russian works? I'm planning on attacking Crime & Punishment at some point this year. This all sounds so epic! I like books like that usually. I might have to pick this one up and give it a try. Do you have a suggestion for a translation in English?
Thank you! I would have to recommend Crime and Punishment, its much more exciting! Not sure about translations as I read it in Romanian. I have checked some sources and it seems that translation by Richard Pevear (American) and Larissa Volokhonsky (Russian) is the best and most accurate: 'It has earned a very good reputation from the readers. The married couple has won several prizes for their translations of Russian classics.' sounds good to me :)
Yes Grace told me this and I actually picked up C&P in the Vintage copy, The Brothers Karamazov, and Dr. Zhivago as well. I'm definitely going to start with C&P though. Thanks for your help and looking forward to your next video! :)
I think you are right, it should not be qualified as dark by I felt it very sad and dark because the revolution and the war took over the life of all characters, they could do anything because of that
hi, im just having a really hard time trying to contact you. The book hasn't come yet and I'm sure it's lost or been seen to the wrong place. :S please respond I dont know how else to reach you. :(
Hello Fatma, for some reason I can only access the inbox only on my phone. I contacted thebookdepository and clarified the situation, now they have sent it again to you. The problem was that I sent it during the holidays and for some reasons the order was not processed. Let me know when you receive it :)
You are totally off on Yuri , he is not a womanizer. He is separated from his wife Tonya because he is captured into the army for several years and she is deported. When he was Lara he told her to go with Kamakozi to escape and save herself. The last girl was many years later. Please re read the book and analyze it better. Your review is very misleading. If anything Yuri is very compassionate toward women. He writes a ch on women and pregnancy, another ch on women and their lo e for their off springs.
I understand what you mean but I disagree regarding Yuri.
Yuri is a true artist who follows his true feelings and passions.
he does love Lara deeply but has the Russian trait of fatalism that suggests one cannot control events.
he grabs love where he can because he has that Russian feeling that disaster can strike at any moment.
to a Russian life is not a logical path or journey with a beginning a middle and an end. it is a series of sketches on landscapes, of momentary happinesses and flashes of inspiration and epiphanies.
that is why Russian novels do not have the conventional beginning middle and end of western novels. it is why Russian novels have characters that appear and disappear forever not having moved the plot along.
I love your passion but I feel you are unfair on Yuri. he is a perennial seeker of some kind of truth and meaning amid chaos and barbarity.
Pat O ......Very well said!
I totally agree with you!
@@robertoa.m.3984 thank you.
Are you a lover of pasternak's book too?
Thank you for your review. I agree it's worth reading. This is a strange book, there is no main plotline in it, though a human's life is a plotline per se. Despite it this is one of the most impressive books for me. It's definetely a masterpiece. And Zhivago's poems are beautiful )
I agree with you Roman!!! I have not read any of his poems yet but I really want to
I'm from Russia, and thank you for your short review! Very interesting)
Pasternak is Zhivago....
The most difficult thing about reading known classics is trying to avoid putting modern mores on a different time and cultural norms. A very good synopsis, I love the book by the way. Thank you,
I have watched both movie versions and they are both outstanding movies(1965)(2002)having done that and read the book I would recommend watching the movies 1st so you can get the characters in line...the book is hard to follow character wise but I found it great knowing the characters before hand..hope that makes sense
thank you! I tried to watch the full 1965 movie and it is as sad as the book, I have no troubles remembering the characters, I am used to the Russian names, if this is what you mean :)
I love your edition. I'm about halfway through "Doctor Zhivago" right now and I'm really enjoying it.
Amy Rose wow, you are half way done! I'm curious to see your impression after reading the whole book, I hope you like Zhivago more than me :)
I'm really loving it. It's one of the best books I've read in a while :)
Malinka Boris Pasternak has Ukrainian roots originally from Odessa. There's a British Pasternak family living in Oxford also related to Boris . The surname Pasternak is Ukrainian.
Malinka, your thoughts on story are quite naive. Yuri was symbolic of the triumph of Art/Life over the frail mediocrity of human existential conditions. His life, presented in the story, reflected the deep longing of the Russian people for freedom from all forms of tyranny, and thus, Pasternak's genius is pointing out the obvious: It was, in fact, the poet Zhivago...the artist with a soul...who conquers adversity and the cold detached nihilism of totalitarianism and the brutal energies of Bolshevism etc. Zhivago is the symbolic Hero, confronting the heartless tragic reality of the Russian chaos at that time--an individual, who expresses what it meant to be the 'eye and ear' of the vanquished Russian soul. Art (Dr. Zhivago) transcends science--as it reveals the subjective truth of the Russian Spirit--through his wandering search for Love--Pasternak points to music, and how art as the mystical Voice of the Nation, restores faith in the human condition. Yuri's passion: is deeply alive with the joys and sorrows of being human...in moments of tenderness and loneliness, the author himself (through the character of Yuri), strives to know God in all that he encounters. In flowers...in Lara...falling snow...death...lovers...and, yes, in YOU...a child of the far future (today), seeking to understand the wisdom and insights of the artist...from one of the greatest writers of the 20th C. Pasternak, is reaching across space and time...to hopefully enlighten those who seek emancipation from ignorance and slavery. You need to reread the story, and glean new insights from this masterpiece. Cheers from Bermuda/Canada--love Russian art, music, and lit.
James Mercer ......marvelously expressed!
What a truly wonderful review!!! Thank you for posting this!!!! I have only seen the movie and I picked that up too about Yuri never following through with a strong commitment to Tonya or Lara. It 's like he would run the race but he would never seem to get himself to cross the Finish Line!!!! Which was very disappointing. In the movie we see him at the end running towards the Finish Line but dies before he can reach it!!!! Every time I am there cheering loudly for Yuri but in the end he always stops just short of the Finish Line. This movie made cry each time I could see potential for Yuri to have a truly wonderful life with Tonya or Lara. Both ladies were GREAT!!!! But Yuri would Not totally dedicate himself to either one!!!!
A lot more dark stuff from the last century was covered by Pasternak's fellow Russian author Solzhenitsyn. His books are not for everybody. The US state I've visited most was the one he chose to live in while in exile.
oh, I know about Solzhenitsyn, not ready for him yet :)
@@Malinka10101 Try "Cancer Ward" by Solzhenitsyn, a grim but uplifting novel.
I thought the movie was better. However, I wonder if when we read any novel in translation are we are really understanding the author's intentions and absorbing and savouring the prose style? Kingsley Amis said something like that and it stuck with me. Kingsley thought that to be able to read a novel in the original language fluently (say "War an Peace") was the only way, because you could then appreciate the author's style, the way he/she used words and 'bent' sentences to create and develop fictional characters in the world of the imagination. (UK)
THINKING ABOUT DR ZHIVAGO IS TOO NOSTALGIC. FOR ME DR ZHIVAGO IS OMAR SHERRIF AND LARA THEME.... STILL I LISTEN TO LARA THEME EVERY DAY . WHAT A PEICE OF MUSIC....
I just couldn't get into this one, but it may have been a right book/wrong time situation for me. I did like the writing style, but something about the story did not grasp my attention at the time. I know someday i'll get back to it and give it another try.
I'm reading this book for an AP Lit project and your review was very well spoken! Thank you so much for your input!
Is it better than that other Russian classic by Ian Fleming - “From Russia with love”? Only joking. Zhivago is on my “must read list” along with Grossman’s “Life and Fate.”
Don't quite agree with you on the part that Yuri was craving for Feminine love and mommy. Lol, sounds a bit ridiculous
Malinka: get your facts right: Zhovago is a full fledged Medical Doctor and Surgeon.......not a physiotherapist. Read the book again!
🙏🌹✨
Cant wait to read this book. Not sure if this is the time for me to read it.
So Interesting to hear your review--I haven't read the book or seen the movie, but my mom LOVES the movie and always told me how romantic it is. It sounds like that is not the case.
Now I have to see the film in English version, to see for myself :)
Glad you're back! Would this be a good place to start for someone like me that hasn't read any great Russian works? I'm planning on attacking Crime & Punishment at some point this year. This all sounds so epic! I like books like that usually. I might have to pick this one up and give it a try. Do you have a suggestion for a translation in English?
Thank you! I would have to recommend Crime and Punishment, its much more exciting! Not sure about translations as I read it in Romanian. I have checked some sources and it seems that translation by Richard Pevear (American) and Larissa Volokhonsky (Russian) is the best and most accurate: 'It has earned a very good reputation from the readers. The married couple has won several prizes for their translations of Russian classics.' sounds good to me :)
Yes Grace told me this and I actually picked up C&P in the Vintage copy, The Brothers Karamazov, and Dr. Zhivago as well. I'm definitely going to start with C&P though. Thanks for your help and looking forward to your next video! :)
If you want to read Russian novels - I recommend you start with "Idiot" by Dostoevsky - because is easier to read and more easy access.
I haven't read the book but I saw the movie Doctor Zhivago. Have you seen it? If you have, how does the book compare to the movie?
yes, I have seen the film, but the original Russian one from 1965, its as dark as the book. I will check out the English film too
It took me a lot to read too, it is very hard book, but that even makes it more interesting
i from india n v fond off russian literature u also looks lara gr8 job
I think the real love story is between Lara and Antipov, what you think?
The real love story is between Yuri and life.
Or between pasternak and Russia.
Great review! I really need to read some Russian classic literature.
thank you! give it try, you might find it very interesting!
Nice precis I must read again . .
as far as being dark every country has had revolution and civil war/unrest that makes it not so dark in my own opine?
I think you are right, it should not be qualified as dark by I felt it very sad and dark because the revolution and the war took over the life of all characters, they could do anything because of that
hi, im just having a really hard time trying to contact you. The book hasn't come yet and I'm sure it's lost or been seen to the wrong place. :S please respond I dont know how else to reach you. :(
Hello Fatma, for some reason I can only access the inbox only on my phone. I contacted thebookdepository and clarified the situation, now they have sent it again to you. The problem was that I sent it during the holidays and for some reasons the order was not processed. Let me know when you receive it :)
Wow, Malinka, you're an avid reader! Inspiring :D
thank you for the feedback! I try to read as much as possible!!!
You are totally off on Yuri , he is not a womanizer. He is separated from his wife Tonya because he is captured into the army for several years and she is deported. When he was Lara he told her to go with Kamakozi to escape and save herself. The last girl was many years later. Please re read the book and analyze it better. Your review is very misleading. If anything Yuri is very compassionate toward women. He writes a ch on women and pregnancy, another ch on women and their lo e for their off springs.
Doctor Zhivago is a horror story. The horrors promoted by the proletariat.
Currently reading it. ❤️
Zhivago
:)
Probably the worst review I've heard about a book. Trust me don't do another one sister.
Not very nice are you ?