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Doctor Zhivago: Reality and Fiction with Vadim Malinovsky

Doctor Zhivago: Reality and Fiction with Vadim Malinovsky


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We will travel back in time via Boris Pasternak’s Nobel Prize-winning novel and trace the history of Russia from the beginning of the twentieth century to the outbreak of World War II. We will compare the events of the novel to history and also to the 1965 movie of the same name. Join Vadim Malinovsky for a deep dive into the history of Russia in the context of Doctor Zhivago!

Doctor Zhivago was published in 1957 and covers 40 years of Russian history. The eponymous epic romantic film drama based on the novel was released in 1965 and immediately became popular in Western countries but was banned in the Soviet Union. We’ll look at the novel from a historical perspective and try to follow the dramatic decades of Russian history together with the characters created by Pasternak. We will talk about the views of the author about these events as well as how they are depicted in the movie. We will follow the life of the main character to understand how the fate of the country affects the fate of an individual.

Led by historian Vadim Malinovsky, this seminar will give a deep dive into Russian 20th century history. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an increased understanding of the events depicted in the novel and in the film Doctor Zhivago.

Vadim is a historian (MA) who has graduated from Lomonosov Moscow State University. His focus is contemporary Russian history. He is working on a PhD dissertation on Stalin's national policy.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 11 reviews
100%
(11)
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F
F. (Highlands, US)
Always loved this book. Vadim has made it real!

Vadim’s move to Serbia after the Ukraine crisis is telling.
His passion for Zhivago is contagious! I like the way he connects scenes in the book with the reality of Russia during the time of its setting.

A
A. (East Lansing, US)
Another great session from Vadim

I've attended about 30 Context Conversations, and I think Vadim is one of the very best presenters. He combines a depth of knowledge with great enthusiasm for his subject. He excels at explaining a Russian perspective to US / Western audiences. This session was no exception. He talked about the novel and the history in a way that illuminates both.

E
Erika Szabo (West Palm Beach, US)

Guest did not leave comment

J
J. (Chevy Chase, US)

Guest did not leave comment

S
S.S. (Oxford, US)
Dr.Zhivago

Once again Vadim gave a very interesting talk - this time on the book and film "Dr. Zhivago" He gave me a new perspective on Boris Pasternak and I am going to read that book again!

Customer Reviews

Based on 11 reviews
100%
(11)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
F
F. (Highlands, US)
Always loved this book. Vadim has made it real!

Vadim’s move to Serbia after the Ukraine crisis is telling.
His passion for Zhivago is contagious! I like the way he connects scenes in the book with the reality of Russia during the time of its setting.

A
A. (East Lansing, US)
Another great session from Vadim

I've attended about 30 Context Conversations, and I think Vadim is one of the very best presenters. He combines a depth of knowledge with great enthusiasm for his subject. He excels at explaining a Russian perspective to US / Western audiences. This session was no exception. He talked about the novel and the history in a way that illuminates both.

E
Erika Szabo (West Palm Beach, US)

Guest did not leave comment

J
J. (Chevy Chase, US)

Guest did not leave comment

S
S.S. (Oxford, US)
Dr.Zhivago

Once again Vadim gave a very interesting talk - this time on the book and film "Dr. Zhivago" He gave me a new perspective on Boris Pasternak and I am going to read that book again!