Dr Zhivago
November 6th 2006 12:25
I've read alot of books this year, and there's things I've come to admire about different kinds of writers and styles of books. I like the way that comic books have actually taken an interesting philosophical bent, I like the way that sci-fi and be written equally well by both scientists (guys like Isaac Asmiov) and non-scientists (Orson Scott Card). I like the way that scots are poetic and rough, the way that russians are depressing (mostly they are) but so uplifting.
I think that there are far too many good Russian novels for me to try and read in one year but the one this year that has touched me profoundly with it's poetry is Dr Zhivago. The plot is set around the russian civil war, which means that alot of the depression can be fairly expected. That being said though, Pasternak still finds a way to highlight the enjoyment of the poetry of life by the main characters. It is such a stark contrast. In one part, the book paints such a picture of loss and the sheer hideous nature of living a life that one clings to from animal instinct, and then brings into focus the small pleasures that are rewards of an indomitable human spirit.
Something else that Pasternak does with aplomb and skill is making the character of Dr Zhivago so open and inviting to the reader. Which makes perfect sense. The character himself is a doctor (makes sense I guess) whose main claim to fame is the poetry he produces. He is seemingly the perfect contradiction in man. Intellectual yet romantic, poetic. He is a studious man that is able to produce fruit from hard physical labour (the part where he and Lara are living in a small hut is some of the most amazing writing I have ever seen). His diary is the perfect doorway into the heart of this shy litttle man. My favourite line from that part is his exclamation that he will not live a long life. It is a profound moment, that is truly touching, yet he seemingly takes it on board and then concentrates about what he can do in the here and now. Fairly awesome guy.
The book is filled with poetic philosophy, which gives us a similar look into the heart of the author. "What for centuries raised man above the beast is not the cudgel but the irresistible power of unarmed truth."
Russians. Brilliant people (Hi Nata!)
JoshZ
I think that there are far too many good Russian novels for me to try and read in one year but the one this year that has touched me profoundly with it's poetry is Dr Zhivago. The plot is set around the russian civil war, which means that alot of the depression can be fairly expected. That being said though, Pasternak still finds a way to highlight the enjoyment of the poetry of life by the main characters. It is such a stark contrast. In one part, the book paints such a picture of loss and the sheer hideous nature of living a life that one clings to from animal instinct, and then brings into focus the small pleasures that are rewards of an indomitable human spirit.
Something else that Pasternak does with aplomb and skill is making the character of Dr Zhivago so open and inviting to the reader. Which makes perfect sense. The character himself is a doctor (makes sense I guess) whose main claim to fame is the poetry he produces. He is seemingly the perfect contradiction in man. Intellectual yet romantic, poetic. He is a studious man that is able to produce fruit from hard physical labour (the part where he and Lara are living in a small hut is some of the most amazing writing I have ever seen). His diary is the perfect doorway into the heart of this shy litttle man. My favourite line from that part is his exclamation that he will not live a long life. It is a profound moment, that is truly touching, yet he seemingly takes it on board and then concentrates about what he can do in the here and now. Fairly awesome guy.
The book is filled with poetic philosophy, which gives us a similar look into the heart of the author. "What for centuries raised man above the beast is not the cudgel but the irresistible power of unarmed truth."
Russians. Brilliant people (Hi Nata!)
JoshZ
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Comment by DuskDevi
Rucks and Rolls
Rugby World Cup 2007
You're not so bad yourself. Understatement.
Your first paragraph - I believe as you believe.
I really appreciate the way you write...Precise, fluent, not pretentious, intelligent, expressive, passionate but not slavish, your points are logical, your arguements are rational and have you read this somewhere before??
wave of hand...see..all new again...
Plus you have such enthusiasm for the characters. You review the world in the story...not just the book.
Do you write novels JZ? You conduct the orchestration wonderfully...how do I explain this?...
"...such a picture of loss and the sheer hideous nature of living a life that one clings to from animal instinct"
This is forte, dissonance, crescendo, fortissimo...
"and then brings into focus the small pleasures that are rewards of an indomitable human spirit."
...fermata...dolce, allegro, accelerando, legato...fine
Looking forward to more reviews Josh.
DuskDevi
Comment by JoshZ
A Simple Christian
Thanks for all you've said. Alot of people underestimate the power of a well placed word or two, especially to lift spirits and encourage people.
I think it is important that in any book, you treat the characters as people, which they are. They may not exist, but they are people.
And yes, I am writing a novel at the moment and getting notes together for a whole bunch more novels, many of them in different worlds, about different things. I don't speak italian but your words have been very appreciated.
JoshZ
Comment by DuskDevi
Rucks and Rolls
Rugby World Cup 2007
I meant...you write like an orchestra plays.
These are clasical music terms as to how the tempo plays out. Will be back later to explain the meanings of the words and tell me if you agree...
Hope you're well JZ.
DuskDevi
Comment by JoshZ
A Simple Christian
Looking forward to it. I enjoy learning about words, or almost anything really.
Doing extremely well. Had dinner with a great mate that I hadn't seen in awhile, some great conversation and wrote an email to my girlfriend who is the most amazing and gorgeous woman in the world.
Hurry back when you can,
JoshZ
Comment by DuskDevi
Rucks and Rolls
Rugby World Cup 2007
Here we go:
forte - loud and strong,
dissonance - tension, unrest,
crescendo - getting louder
fortissimo - very loud
"...such a picture of loss forte and the sheer hideous dissonance nature of living a life that one crescendo clings to from animal fortissimo instinct..."
fermata - pause
dolce - softly
allegro - lively
accelerando - getting livelier
legato - smooth
fine - the end.
Okay, so I'm not much of a conductor (which is why I sang instead!) but you get the idea right?
Speak to you later JZ.
Dusk
Comment by JoshZ
A Simple Christian
Thanks for that. I am probably the world's worst musician (I cannot sing well, I cannot dance well, and I cannot whistle) but I can appreciate music very much.
It is a very important and sacred thing. Your words have been meaningful. Thanks.
JoshZ
Comment by DuskDevi
Rucks and Rolls
Rugby World Cup 2007
It's good to see you. I'm going to read 'High Society Pt 1'.
Probably see you at Homer's and I see you have visited me too...
Dusk
Comment by JoshZ
A Simple Christian
JZ