Pasternak on Art and Creativity

by Angela Livingstone

Boris Pasternak (1890-1960) belongs to the outstandingly gifted group of poets (including Mandelstam, Tsvetaeva, and Akhmatova) who were writing in Russia just before and after the Revolution in 1917. Many would say that he is the greatest among these. This book is an anthology of all his most important prose writings on art and creativity. These include articles, speeches, notes, the long autobiographical work A Safe Conduct, and important excerpts from his famous novel Dr Zhivago. All the material has been translated especially for this volume. Dr Livingstone provides introductions and notes, and in a concluding essay offers fresh insights into Pasternak's ideas on language, history and culture.

304 pages, Hardcover

First published July 4, 1985

Reviews

[Catachresis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Contains some of Paternak's amazing prose fragments which are about as good as anything I've ever read.

In addition are included many fascinating articles by Pasternak, and analysis by others thereof.

Highly recommended.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I spent my summer (what little free time I had) on Pasternak. At times, as I was reading the selection from "A Safe Conduct," I felt overwhelmed and beset by confusion, particularly by the sections that were centered around Mayakovsky. I do not fully understand Pasternak's reverence and seeming unflinching devotion to that man and poet. It was consoling to read in the commentary that it is not simply my lack of perception that made many of Pasternak’s descriptions disturbingly vague, especially in reference to Mayakovsky.

I am humbled by the way Pasternak remained committed to the ideals of the Revolution without bending to the social and political forces of the Party—or of Socialist Realism, or of common popularity—in this way perhaps manifesting a synthesis of the antithetical individual and society; or, solitude and human unity; or isolation and belonging. This was manifest in both the content and style of "Doctor Zhivago", which I look forward to reading again.

I have emerged on the other side of this volume with a far greater understanding and love for Pasternak, the man and writer. I am returning to his poetry with new eyes and insights. I am also adding to my reading list Dr. Livingstone's more recent "The Marsh of Gold: Pasternak’s Writings on Inspiration and Creation”, with 24 additional texts (including 15 of Pasternak’s poems about poetry), and with a lot of new commentary.