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61 pages 2 hours read

Boris Pasternak

Doctor Zhivago

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1957

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak follows Yuri Zhivago as he navigates love and loss amidst the Russian Revolution and Civil War, encountering various relationships and political challenges, while ultimately facing questions of personal and political loyalty. The novel explores themes of war, revolution, love, and the passage of time, and includes references to torture, gun violence, and death by suicide.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Boris Pasternak's Doctor Zhivago receives praise for its poetic language, emotional depth, and historical scope, capturing the tumult of the Russian Revolution. However, critiques often mention its convoluted plot and dense prose as challenging. Overall, it's celebrated as a profound yet demanding read that richly rewards patient readers.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Doctor Zhivago?

A reader who enjoys Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak is likely drawn to sweeping historical epics with deep emotional and philosophical undercurrents. Fans of works like War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy or The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov will appreciate its intricate character development, complex narrative, and rich depiction of early 20th-century Russia.

Book Details
Pages

592

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Russia • 1910s-1940s

Publication Year

1957

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

1010L

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