I’m a glass half full kind of gal. At least when it comes to Russian literature. I read The Brothers Karamazov a few months ago, and it’s no secret that I loathed it. You’d think, after that misadventure, that I’d be a little (okay, a lot) leery of epic Russian novels.
But no.
A few weeks ago, I was whiling away my time in B&N, and I glimpsed this:
And I thought, it’s more modern than the K Bros, it’s got a cool cover, how bad can it be?
See, told you…glass half full.
And granted, I only have a few Russian novels under my belt, but what is it with the Russians and words??? Forgive me for being stereotypical here for a moment, but Russian authors are wordy like no other. And also, historical and religiously philosophical. They seem to adore filling the pages with esoteric historical and religious bits that keep you flipping back and forth between the text and the notes until your head is spinning and you hope you never set eyes on another end note ever again. Ever ever ever.
Okay, and maybe if I was Russian the esoteric historical bits wouldn’t be so esoteric.
So. Dr Z. Not nearly as bad as the K Bros, but it still drags in parts. I’m currently 289 pages into it (there are 461 pages total, not including the poems, which I may or may not read), and I will finish, but I’m still waiting for the grand love story. If this is all I get, I will NOT be a happy camper:
It was over two months since, on one of his visits to town, he had not returned home in the evening but had stayed with Larissa Fyodorovna, and said at home that he had been kept in town on business and had spent the night at Samdevyatov’s inn.
Oh Yuri/Yura/Yurochka, you naughty, naughty boy.
If you’re not familiar with the book, it tells the story of the life (and just about every mundane detail of the life) of Yuri Zhivago, orphan boy turned doctor, who struggles to survive through WWI, the Russian Revolution, and his love for a woman who is most definitely not his wife (the aforementioned Larissa…aka Lara. Since this is Russia, everyone must have more than one name).
I am currently loitering amidst the pages of the revolution. Also, I think I’ve been banished to Siberia. It’s no wonder this is where the Russians and the Soviets sent those they didn’t like…there’s nothing happening!
I think the closest that I am going to get to a Russian novel will be the graphic novel version of Crime and Punishment that I read. I’m okay with that.
Nicole´s last [type] ..Top Ten Fictional Characters I’d Want For A Best Friend
You are a very smart woman.
I read this years ago, but for some reason, I don’t remember it well. I absolutely love your take on epic Russian novels.
I don’t think I’m going to remember it well, either.
I didn’t get any love story out of this book at all.
Oh good, glad I’m not alone. Honestly, I’m not sure what Zhivago and Lara saw in each other. I didn’t feel like their personalities were developed enough to get a sense of why they were soul mates.
I know a few who are struggling with this read, but my enthusiasm for it is still not daunted! I am hoping to pick this up in the upcoming year, though I am going to be remembering your comments!
You’re a glass half full gal, too!
A few of us have been reading this together with varying degrees of success. Not so much on the success end for me so I feel your Russian novel pain right now. Put up my last post on it last night and will link you there later in the day if you don’t mind? Good luck with the rest!
Of course! I’ll be popping over to see what everyone else thought.
I was so hoping you would love this book so I would feel compelled to rush out and buy a copy.
Sorry, save your pennies. You can just ogle the picture on this post.
I’ve tried twice… just can’t seem to get through this one. Good luck!
JoAnn´s last [type] ..Quote of the Week- Pavilion of Women
I’ve finished, and trust me…you’re not missing much.
we have so much in common — I’m a glass half full kind of girl, too … when it comes to Russian vodka!
Dawn – She Is Too Fond of Books´s last [type] ..Author Event- Susan Cheever and Louisa May Alcott
That’s where I went wrong…I forgot the vodka!
You should definitely take a hard-novel break after this in preparation for Ulysses!
Trisha´s last [type] ..Book Review- The Eumenides
I’m now reading At Home…not really a break, but it’s non-fiction. I had to go for something totally different.
I’ve been thinking about buying myself this one, but $30.00 retail is a bit steep. It looks lovely though.
Bibliophile By the Sea´s last [type] ..November Reading Wrap Up
I know, I still love the cover, even if the story left a lot to be desired.
We must have drunk from the same Kool-Aid because despite my hatred of The Brothers Karamazov, I’m thinking of trying Anna Karenina next year. But, I must admit, your experience gives me pause.
I never read this book but my parents were in LOVE with the movie and took me to see it at a very young age. I remember that and I expect the movie version might be far better than the book.
Jenners´s last [type] ..Review- Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
After subjecting myself to the book, I have no desire to see the movie.
And I still have AK sitting on my shelf. I made it 1/3 of the way through before I stalled. I might be persuaded to finish it, as long as the Kool-Aid isn’t cherry flavored.
You’ve never seen the Dr. Z movie? Oh it’s definitely worth it. Drop the book, turn on the DVD.
Beth F´s last [type] ..Thankfully Reading Weekend- Getting Started
Yeah, basically I think of Doctor Zhivago as the best of a bad lot. I’m reading a book about Russian novelists right now, and it’s making me feel as if I have now read Russian writers, except without the part where I actually have to read them. :p
Jenny´s last [type] ..Review- The Ten-Year Nap- Meg Wolitzer or- My Mumsy enjoyed her chocolate cake a guest review
Are you reading The Dispossessed? ‘Cause I’ve got that one sitting on the shelf, too.
In my experience, Russian authors are totally wordy – but I usually enjoy them nonetheless. This is one I have never tried, but I would like to some time soon
Pasternak was A LOT less wordy than Dostoevsky. Although it wouldn’t take much to be less wordy than D.
The whole multiple names is what gets me with Russian lit. I feel like I need to get them all tattooed on my arm for easy reference.
She´s last [type] ..The Sandman Series – Neil Gaiman
Just make sure you get temporary tattoos…otherwise, the bad memories will be with you for forever!
What about Alexander Solzhenitsyn? He’s Russian and SO not wordy. Well, One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich isn’t, anyway.
Cass´s last [type] ..November Round-Up
Nope, I still don’t have a desire to read this one. It’s not on my bucket list!
Amused´s last [type] ..The Ties That Bind
My best luck is Tolstoy’s short stories, which my grandfather (who escaped Russian during the Revolution) liked to read (in the original, of course). I did read Doctor Zhivago a hundred years ago, but it’s the movie that has stuck with me, so I have no idea anymore what was in the book and what was in the movie.
Beth F´s last [type] ..Thankfully Reading Weekend- Getting Started
I admire the way you continue to be so optimistic, especially in giving this one a chance so soon after reading The Brothers K. I have been a bit intrigued by Doctor Z but not enough to pick it up. Maybe eventually!
Stephanie´s last [type] ..Monthly Reading Wrap Up- November
I don’t have any luck with the Russians, either. Haven’t yet found my go-to book.
bybee´s last [type] ..November 2010- Buying
watch with the movie and call it a day – a lot less painful. Do try reading Anna Karenina before you give up on those “wordy” Russians. Although Tolstoy is a trifle wordy, his books are so readable. I adore Anna Karenina – have read it three times. Happy reading!