Editors’ Pick
Designed to Feel by Peter Burchardt
Designed to Feelby Peter Burchardt — on emotions, evolution & the science of feeling
View on Amazon →
Cover of Doctor Zhivago
Literary Fiction· Russia

Doctor Zhivago

by Boris Pasternak
Aggregate Editorial Score64/100
★Nobel Prize in Literature
Published 1958559 pagesEnglish
Buy on Amazon →

About This Book

Boris Pasternak's Doctor Zhivago (1958) stands as one of the most significant works of literary fiction of its era. A Russian physician and poet witnesses the Bolshevik Revolution and its aftermath while caught in a doomed love affair with the mysterious Lara. Pasternak was awarded the Nobel Prize but forced to refuse it by Soviet authorities. The novel, smuggled out of the USSR and published in Italy, became a Cold War cultural landmark and one of the great Russian novels. Themes of revolution, love, fate run through the work. The book has received recognition from Nobel Prize in Literature 1958.

Book Details

AuthorBoris Pasternak
Published1958
Country of Origin🇷🇺 Russia
LanguageEnglish
Pages559
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9780375752803
Editorial Score64/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇷🇺 Russia

This book is part of Russia's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from Russia →

Editorial Assessment

Boris Pasternak published Doctor Zhivago in 1958, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of literary fiction from Russia. The book's treatment of revolution, love, fate, history accounts for much of its enduring reputation. Among its recognitions: Nobel Prize in Literature 1958. With an editorial score of 64/100 drawn from 1 independent sources, the book occupies a well-documented position in the critical literature. Its recognition spans international prizes, "best of" lists, and academic surveys. Readers coming to Doctor Zhivago for the first time will find a work that rewards patience. The book's handling of revolution, love, fate, history is layered rather than didactic, and a second reading often reveals dimensions the first pass only hinted at. Boris Pasternak's role in the literature of Russia is well established. Doctor Zhivago can be read as both a standalone achievement and as part of a broader national literary conversation about identity, history, and the possibilities of narrative form.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Nobel Prize in Literature
winner · global
195860
✍️
About the Author
Boris Pasternak
Russia
View Author →

Boris Pasternak is a celebrated author from Russia known for influential works of literary fiction.

Happy Children
The Parenting Companion
Happy Children
What Evolution Actually Built Your Child’s Emotions For
Your child’s emotions are not the problem. They are the operating system.
Get It on Amazon →Paperback & Kindle

What to Read Next

Cover of Midnight's Children
literary-fiction

Midnight's Children

Salman Rushdie· 1981
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The God of Small Things
literary-fiction

The God of Small Things

Arundhati Roy· 1997
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The Remains of the Day
literary-fiction

The Remains of the Day

Kazuo Ishiguro· 1989
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The White Tiger
literary-fiction

The White Tiger

Aravind Adiga· 2008
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The Road
literary-fiction

The Road

Cormac McCarthy· 2007
★Pulitzer Prize★Hugo Award
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of Wolf Hall
historical-fiction

Wolf Hall

Hilary Mantel· 2009
★Booker Prize★Costa Book Award
Editorial Score100/100

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Doctor Zhivago about?

A Russian physician and poet witnesses the Bolshevik Revolution and its aftermath while caught in a doomed love affair with the mysterious Lara. Pasternak was awarded the Nobel Prize but forced to refuse it by Soviet authorities. The novel, smuggled out of the USSR and published in Italy, became a Cold War cultural landmark and one of the great Russian novels.

Who wrote Doctor Zhivago?

Doctor Zhivago was written by Boris Pasternak, from Russia. First published in 1958.

What awards has Doctor Zhivago won?

Doctor Zhivago has received the following awards and honours: Nobel Prize in Literature 1958.

Is Doctor Zhivago worth reading?

Doctor Zhivago is a well-regarded book with solid critical recognition, with an aggregate editorial score of 60/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 1 editorial source. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in revolution, love, fate.

Where can I buy Doctor Zhivago?

You can buy Doctor Zhivago on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is Doctor Zhivago?

Doctor Zhivago is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is Doctor Zhivago from?

Doctor Zhivago originates from Russia's literary tradition. Explore more books from Russia on our country page.

Popular on 50 Best Books

Best Science Fiction Books of All TimeScience FictionBooker Prize Winners — Complete List & GuideLiterary PrizesNobel Prize in Literature — Every Winner Since 1901Literary PrizesClassic Literature Reading List — 50 Essential BooksReading GuidesBest Books for Beginners — 20 Easy Reads for New BookloversReading Guides

Explore More

📖More Literary FictionBrowse all Literary Fiction books🇷🇺Books from Russia🇷🇺 Russia literature📅1950s BooksPublished in the 1950s🏆Top 50 RankingsThe greatest books of all time