'Doctor Zhivago' tells the poignant story of Yuri Zhivago, a physician and poet, whose life is profoundly affected by the tumultuous events of the Russian Revolution. Caught between love and duty, Yuri's heart is torn between the idealistic Lara Antipova and his wife, Tonya, against a backdrop of political chaos. As the war and revolution redefine society, Yuri grapples with his artistic aspirations and the impact of social change on personal relationships. This sweeping narrative blends romance, tragedy, and philosophical reflections on the nature of love, loss, and the human spirit. Pasternak's masterpiece invites readers to explore the intersection of personal fate and historical upheaval in a world where both love and ideology shape destinies.
By Boris Pasternak
Published: 2011
"'Life is not a matter of desire, it is a matter of will, and will is a constant evolution of unbreakable love.'"
First published in Italy in 1957 amid international controversy, Doctor Zhivago is the story of the life and loves of a poet/physician during the turmoil of the Russian Revolution. Taking his family from Moscow to what he hopes will be shelter in the Ural Mountains, Zhivago finds himself instead embroiled in the battle between the Whites and the Reds. Set against this backdrop of cruelty and strife is Zhivago's love for the tender and beautiful Lara, the very embodiment of the pain and chaos of those cataclysmic times. Pevear and Volokhonsky masterfully restore the spirit of Pasternak's original—his style, rhythms, voicings, and tone—in this beautiful translation of a classic of world literature.
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“'Life is not a matter of desire, it is a matter of will, and will is a constant evolution of unbreakable love.'”
Doctor Zhivago
By Boris Pasternak
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Boris Pasternak (1890-1960) was a Russian poet, novelist, and literary translator, best known for his renowned novel "Doctor Zhivago" which explores themes of love, war, and the human experience during the Russian Revolution. His literary career was marked by a unique blend of lyrical poetic style and philosophical depth, reflecting both the turmoil of his time and the richness of Russian culture. Alongside "Doctor Zhivago," Pasternak's notable works include his collections of poetry such as "My Sister, Life" and "The Land of Anguish." Despite facing considerable political and personal challenges, including a rejection of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1958, Pasternak remains a towering figure in 20th-century literature.
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