During the past year I have read new translations of "Dr. Zhivago" and "War and Peace." Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky, a married couple, have collaborated in translating both books. I will not presume to review such masterpieces, but if you love these two brilliant novels and have not read them in a number of years, I recommend that you delve into these new translations. If you have never read them, you cannot do better than these interpreters. They have faithfully and lovingly conveyed the authors works as clearly as possible for non-speaking readers of Russian literature.
This is my third reading of "War and Peace" and the second of Zhivago. I found that once again, Tolstoy had much to teach me. The humanity and lessons never lose meaning and like Shakespeare's works, I keep returning to find new bits and pieces that I may have overlooked or forgotten. The richness of Tolstoy's words never diminishes. His characters are always relevant, no matter that they live in the 19th century.
"Dr. Zhivago" interestingly, seemed dated to me. I suppose this is because my first reading was done in the midst of the cold war, and as that threat has disappeared it is not of the same import to me. Also the movie made after the book, kept interfering with my idea of the characters. I am glad I read the book the first time before the movie's release. There were parts of the book that I found myself wandering and having to reread. There is no doubt that this is a great work of art and is entirely reflective of the historical era in which it was written. It gives the reader a thought provoking picture of post revolutionary Russia and the dangers of collectivism and the fall of the Russian aristocracy after the Tsar's death and events leading up to the second World War.
There is still much in both novels that speaks to our modern age.
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