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Post by Nepenthe on Jan 25, 2009 22:45:54 GMT 8
After seeing Doctor Zhivago, I was compelled to read the book. I'm about halfway through at the moment, and it is quite good. Sometimes Pasternak's writing doesn't sit right with me, but I'm trying not to judge it too much until I finish.
It's interesting reading it after having seen the film, because you can see where they've interpreted conversations or certain paragraphs to create the scenes. I think they've done an admirable job, because it doesn't seem an easy book to adapt. There's so much going on in it.
Has anyone else read it?
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Post by Gg on Jan 26, 2009 1:39:26 GMT 8
Doctor Zhivago (the novel) is a favorite of a good number of our board members!
Remember that what you are a reading is a translation of Boris Pasternak's Russian words. Like reading Sufi poetry or Chinese verse, some of Pasternaks innate voice is going to alter in transalation, and then once adapted for film, the entire medium is going to once again be translated. The novel I have readwas translated for the original English publishing (it was banned in Russia) in 1957, by two people, but the "Poems of Yuri Zhivago" was translated by someone else. I think that original publishing remains the same for English speaking readers, but I have no idea about transations for publishers in other countries.
That of course assumes that what you mean by saying the some of his writing didn't sit with you was about how he wrote rather than WHAT he wrote. I think the questions Pasternak poses about love and fidelity and morality are always going to be difficult, ambiguious, but again, a Russian theme, I think.
My favorite chapter is "Varykino" because, when I read it for high school, that chapter openned my eyes to the impact to the glories of Russian culture, politics, literature, through Yuri's eyes, in a way far more compelling than having it assigned by a professor.
And I think it's pretty great that watching the film compelled you to read the novel. I think that would make them feel like perhaps they had contributed to the great good!
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Post by Nepenthe on Jan 26, 2009 8:58:46 GMT 8
That's true, and perhaps it is something that's lost in translation. It's more about the structure than the words, though (for example, introducing so many characters right at the beginning). But I am only halfway through, so perhaps things will come clearer once I near the end.
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Post by Laura2102 on Feb 15, 2009 7:21:18 GMT 8
I'm the same, I was compelled to read the novel after watching the film. I'm struggling to get into it at the moment, but I'm hoping that once I break down the barrier of thinking about the film, I'll be able to just get straight into the story.
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Post by cat on Apr 28, 2009 5:04:03 GMT 8
I have to agree with both Gg & Laura that after watching Doctor Zhivago, I felt incredibly compelled to read the book. I now own a copy of it but as of yet I have not started to read it. But I look forward to the day when I can!
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Post by Laura2102 on Apr 28, 2009 15:18:47 GMT 8
I ordered a copy of the novel from Amazon I think it was, the one with Hans, Keira and Sam on the cover and literally couldn't wait three days to read it. So I went on a mission to try and find a Waterstones to purchase it, I got the last one in the store. I'd rang up earlier and asked them to put me a copy aside. When I went to the till to pick it up I asked the 'man' if I could have the copy of Doctor Zhivago that had been put away in my name and he went "What book was it?" I repeated to which I got the reply "Are you sure it's called Doctor Whatshisname and not Doctor Who you're after, I've never heard of this one." To which I nearly collapsed, I'm sure I'd know the difference between Doctor Zhivago and Doctor Who!! Anyway I got it in the end  |
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Post by cat on Apr 28, 2009 16:52:02 GMT 8
LOL....So you now have 2 copies of the book?
Mine doesn't have Han's, Keira or Sam on the front cover. Mine has the more "traditional" cover with an image of White Russian Troops on it.
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Post by Laura2102 on Apr 28, 2009 20:12:17 GMT 8
Yeah, I have two copies now, the one with the picture and the one you have I think.
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Post by Gg on Apr 28, 2009 21:58:01 GMT 8
I had to read Dr.Zhivago in high school. Watched the Lean version but then rereading watching it again in the new version - I really felt that we are meant to identify with Yuri and that was much more the case in the remake... Not that I'm biased  but as beautiful as Omar Sharif |
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Post by Gg on Apr 28, 2009 22:00:29 GMT 8
Sorry, mobile.... IS, he is also kind of remote where Hans is deeply accessible and intimate... I read my father's copy, leather bound and dusty! If heather was still on the forum she'd be writing chapters on the subject here!
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Post by cat on Apr 28, 2009 22:43:20 GMT 8
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Post by lynette on Apr 29, 2009 0:21:45 GMT 8
In my country was this book banned...
And now it is pretty much unavailable.
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Post by Gg on Apr 29, 2009 3:39:11 GMT 8
Will I get you in trouble if I send you an English copy?
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Post by Jonathan on Apr 30, 2009 13:35:21 GMT 8
In my country was this book banned... And now it is pretty much unavailable. I think Zhivago’s novel is not available in Spanish neither, it is a shame  |
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Post by lynette on May 1, 2009 21:01:22 GMT 8
Will I get you in trouble if I send you an English copy? Thanks a lot, Gg, but it is not needed. I do I need to borrow a book in the library. There might be. |
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but as beautiful as Omar Sharif
I've never been an extrovert, but i'm still breathing.