Guys, I'm having trouble with this book. No one could have predicted Russia's political and historical condition in the 1910s and 1920s, with innumerable upheavals (including the Russian October Revolution). Why are Russians so interested in revolutions at this time...) and the First World War. In general, the combat is in the background, followed by the Bolsheviks, the Red Army vs. the White Guard, and comrades are luxuriant. The chaotic age of Russia (or rather, the Soviet Union) dominates the lives of the protagonists, notably doctor Yuri Zhivago. Then there are a few more portions that explore life philosophy and art, and the words keep whirling around in my head, but I don't comprehend much of it...
The subsequent chapters are more engaging than the first, and the more I read it, the better it gets (probably thanks to the romance between Doctor Zhivago and Lara while both are married). This brief yet powerful love of two people may be summed up in Lara's words:
"Love is a gift, just like any other. It may be wonderful, but it will not come to fruition until it is blessed. We were both taught how to kiss in heaven before being sent down to earth as children to live together and put that gift of love to the test. Everything is equal in worth, joy, and soulfulness, yet there's something in that wild, forbidden snuggle that lurks every minute. It's a destructive drive, the polar opposite of family harmony. It is your responsibility to dread it rather than trust it."
Yes, their love is wild, impulsive, and highly damaging. It is not a husband and wife love, such as Doctor Zhivago's love for his wife Tonia or Lara's love for Pasa, her husband. Doctor Zhivago spotted Lara again and followed her until she had to grudgingly let her go, without caring to return to visit his wife or look at the child's face. A newborn and an older son In general, I dislike this aspect, despite the fact that I know Doctor Zhivago adores Lara. Because a man and a woman's love might be stronger than a father's love? Could it be that Zhivago had to abandon his children to his wife because of this forbidden love, without even trying to call his wife to ask to see her face? What's the problem with becoming a father? Lara may be Zhivago's soul partner, half soul, half heart, or whatever, but two children are his BLOOD and LIFE? What about the duty of loving, nurturing, and caring for children? Should you abandon your children if you no longer love your wife? Overall, reading this far is unusual, however the chapters dealing with Dr. Zhivago's love affair with Lara are among the most engaging of the novel.
The final chapter is a special collection of poetry written by Doctor Zhivago. I particularly enjoy the last few chapters. Classic novels like this can be tough to swallow, thus anyone interested in reading it should think twice before purchasing it. The proof is that I finished it after nearly a month and a half: (I didn't want to read it since I got halfway through it.) Also, I went through a reading slump due to a lack of interest, and I eventually felt compelled to read it again till the finish.