‘Doctor Zhivago’ by Boris Pasternak

Doctor Zhivago

Boris Pasternak’s epic novel of love and war throws physician and poet Yuri Zhivago into the lives of two women.

Epic is certainly the word, here, and knowing I’d never attempt this in book form, the audio version seemed like a good option. Although it’s basically a decent story, if somewhat improbable (all these chance meetings across the vastness of Russia), the author’s tendency to let his characters drone on and on about politics, life and religion gets tiring very quickly. The only thing going for this book is that it’s narrated by the late Phillip Madoc, whose voice I could listen to for days. Unfortunately, even he can’t resurrect this turgid tome.

Forget the book, watch the movie.

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