The Great "Doctor Zhivago"

Readers! I write this post overflowing with sentiments on Boris Pastenuk's Doctor Zhivago. Boy, am I glad I read this novel! To begin with, I would like to say that anyone who decides to read it might benefit immensely from a list of characters like the one I posted last time (which will be updated on that post for anyone who wants to use it!), as nicknames don't always correspond with full names and some characters that reappear later might be forgotten. Making this list not only helped me keep a running memory of basically everything that happened, it also made for a more engaging read. 

Secondly, I would like to point out what, to me, are the three elements that made it so amazing of a novel. The first aspect is the history. I love books that throw you into an important historical time, in this case spanning from the First World War all the way to after the Russian Civil War. Doctor Zhevago does this, really making the reader feel the despair, the confusion, the upheaval of the times, but also the victorious sentiments of the early revolutions. It also does a great job at explaining the context of these wars, though Wikipedia helped me a lot in some parts! Granted, I didn't read much of the footnotes, which were extensive and probably provided good supplemental information. With the epilogue taking place in World War II, there was a sense of having come full circle by the end of the novel. I love learning while reading for pleasure, and in this Doctor Zhevago resembled a novel I recently read entitled The Fall of the Giants, by Ken Follet. Though that novel was nowhere near as pleasurable as Follet's previous Pillars of the Earth (oh, what a book!), it was extremely helpful in my understanding of the First World War, especially pertaining to Russia, which helped me while reading Pasternuk.

Now, the second aspect of the novel I loved was the beauty of the writing--the overwhelmingly beautiful descriptions of Russia. Cities, pastures, forests, and everything in between are described with breathtaking imagery. I remember when choosing this book, one of the things that attracted me was the fact of Pasternuk being a poet, so I knew I would see these types of passages. What I wasn't aware of was how much I would enjoy them. For the first half or so, it is this beautiful writing style that really kept the novel going going; because Yuri (Doctor Zhivago himself) and his friends were growing up, not much was happening except for political going-ons, so it was slow in some of the beginning. Then, as Yuri grows into adulthood, more of his perspective is given (which is where most of these descriptions and nice passages were found) and there is less generic narrating. How well Pasternuk describes the light, the snow, the feel of Yura's surroundings. 

The third element of the novel is the romantic love between Yura and Lara. I don't even know what to say on this, except to READ THIS BOOK!! So pure, their love, so true and deep! And there is love, too, between Yura and his true wife, Tonya, as well as between Lara and her own spouse, Antipov. Though Lara and Yurochka (her endearing nickname for him) are true "soul mates," they both respect, admire, and love their husband/wife so much they would sacrifice being with each other to stay loyal to their family. Sadly, the war separates and burdens both their families, and they must do without their spouses for the majority of their marriages. Yura ruminating on Lara's strength, beauty, and honesty: Lara lamenting Zhivago's death, with her body and soul; their nightly conversations of love... These passages will not leave me soon, and just thinking of their tenderness towards each other in face of certain destruction, in dreary despair, squeezes my heart. 

Well. Now for my next book! Though I started Freedom today, I also recently started classes! My first real reading assignment of the year is on Freakonomics, written by economist Steven D. Levitt and writer Stephen J. Dubner, that looks at everyday things from an economic standpoint. Though this is by no means a book I would pick on my own, I am looking forward to reading about economics, which I don't know a thing about! 
So, to close this post, a few points.
1- Check out the updated character list if you need it!
2- Read Dr. Zhivago!! 
3- Comment! I want to share with you guys, but I also want you all to share with me!