kimveach 's review for:

Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak

3.0

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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I've wanted to read this book for a long time, and I finally did.  It was a long slog.  While parts of the book were fascinating, there was too much war and philosophy for me to truly enjoy it.  The translation was excellent.  It had lots of notes that helped explain the references Pasternak was using.  Without these, it would have been difficult for me to comprehend.  I can appreciate this book, primarily since it was written against the government's wishes. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Genocide, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Dementia, Death of parent, Alcohol, Dysphoria, Deportation