My Sister-Life

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Scritta nell'estate del 1917, Mia sorella la vita è l'opera poetica più organica e stilisticamente omogenea di Pasternak, e rappresenta uno dei più alti esiti della poesia russa del Novecento. Il suo nucleo centrale è nella visione di un universo in frenetico in cui ogni dettaglio pare stupire lo "sguardo pittorico" del poeta, e la rivoluzione stessa appare :come una palingenesi che porta con sé l'impeto purificatore di una forza naturale e primordiale, ma anche un'indicibile potenza distruttiva. Pubblicata nel 1922, Mia sorella la vita consolidò la fama dell'autore ed esercitò un grande fascino sulle nuove :generazioni di poeti.

null pages, Hardcover

First published January 1,1922

Literary awards

About the author

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Boris Leonidovich Pasternak was born in Moscow to talented artists: his father a painter and illustrator of Tolstoy's works, his mother a well-known concert pianist. Though his parents were both Jewish, they became Christianized, first as Russian Orthodox and later as Tolstoyan Christians. Pasternak's education began in a German Gymnasium in Moscow and was continued at the University of Moscow. Under the influence of the composer Scriabin, Pasternak took up the study of musical composition for six years from 1904 to 1910. By 1912 he had renounced music as his calling in life and went to the University of Marburg, Germany, to study philosophy. After four months there and a trip to Italy, he returned to Russia and decided to dedicate himself to literature.

Pasternak's first books of verse went unnoticed. With My Sister Life, 1922, and Themes and Variations, 1923, the latter marked by an extreme, though sober style, Pasternak first gained a place as a leading poet among his Russian contemporaries. In 1924 he published Sublime Malady, which portrayed the 1905 revolt as he saw it, and The Childhood of Luvers, a lyrical and psychological depiction of a young girl on the threshold of womanhood. A collection of four short stories was published the following year under the title Aerial Ways. In 1927 Pasternak again returned to the revolution of 1905 as a subject for two long works: "Lieutenant Schmidt", a poem expressing threnodic sorrow for the fate of the Lieutenant, the leader of the mutiny at Sevastopol, and "The Year 1905", a powerful but diffuse poem which concentrates on the events related to the revolution of 1905. Pasternak's reticent autobiography, Safe Conduct, appeared in 1931, and was followed the next year by a collection of lyrics, Second Birth, 1932. In 1935 he published translations of some Georgian poets and subsequently translated the major dramas of Shakespeare, several of the works of Goethe, Schiller, Kleist, and Ben Jonson, and poems by Petöfi, Verlaine, Swinburne, Shelley, and others. In Early Trains, a collection of poems written since 1936, was published in 1943 and enlarged and reissued in 1945 as Wide Spaces of the Earth. In 1957 Doctor Zhivago, Pasternak's only novel - except for the earlier "novel in verse", Spektorsky (1926) - first appeared in an Italian translation and has been acclaimed by some critics as a successful attempt at combining lyrical-descriptive and epic-dramatic styles.

Pasternak lived in Peredelkino, near Moscow, until his death in 1960.

Community Reviews

Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 26 votes)
5 stars
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26 reviews All reviews
July 15,2025
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This early cycle of poems indicates strongly the course of a career.

It provides valuable insights into the development and direction that the poet's work was taking.

Also, it allows one to begin to understand how the Russian people revere and appreciate BP.

Their admiration and respect for BP are reflected in the significance and impact that these poems had on them.

The cycle written before the October revolution is balanced out by the inclusion of "The Highest Sickness" which was written and published in 1923.

This addition brings a new dimension and perspective to the overall collection, adding depth and complexity to the themes and ideas explored.

It shows the evolution of the poet's thoughts and feelings over time, and how they were influenced by the historical and social context in which they were writing.

Overall, this early cycle of poems is a fascinating and important piece of work that offers a unique window into the world of Russian poetry and the life and times of BP.
July 15,2025
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Breathtaking poems of ethereal light and being inhabit this collection from Boris Pasternak.

Osip Mandelstam's words are truly profound when he said, "To read the poems of Pasternak is to get one's throat clear, to fortify one's breathing... I see Pasternak's My Sister--Life as a collection of magnificent exercises in breathing... a cure for tuberculosis."

These poems are truly enchanting, being the product of the early life of Pasternak. The translations by Mark Rudman with Bohdan Boychuk have a clarity that allows Pasternak's "breathing," which I sense as almost a sort of singing voice, to pierce through the boundary between languages.

The result is that the poet's voice is present in its most passionate form, thrilling the reader with vivid images of love and loss. It also foreshadows the changes that would soon engulf the world of his family, friends, and fellow citizens as the Great War would end and bring with it upheavals in the political world of the Russian Empire.

This is a beautiful collection of poems that provides a counterweight to the more familiar Pasternak of Doctor Zhivago and his other later work. It offers a unique glimpse into the poet's early creative spirit and the emotions that shaped his literary journey.
July 15,2025
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I truly recognize the inherent beauty in the words that have been carefully chosen.

However, when it comes to the majority of the poems, I must admit that I hold no deeper understanding.

I have read a considerable amount of poetry over the years, and this is one of the very first times that I have experienced this particular feeling of being unable to truly "get" the poem.

It has led me to wonder if perhaps the difference lies in the fact that this poem was produced in a foreign language for me.

Maybe the cultural and linguistic nuances are preventing me from fully grasping the essence and meaning that the poet intended to convey.

Despite this, I am still intrigued and motivated to explore further, hoping to find a way to bridge the gap and gain a better understanding of these beautiful works of art.
July 15,2025
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The original article seems to be rather brief and perhaps lacking in clear connection. Let's expand and rewrite it to make it more coherent and detailed.



The statement "2/10, didn't connect at all" implies a certain degree of dissatisfaction or disappointment. Maybe it refers to a score or an evaluation where the result was very low and there was no meaningful connection or success achieved. It could be in various contexts, such as a test, a project, or a relationship. Without further information, it's difficult to determine the exact nature of the situation. However, it's clear that the outcome was not what was expected or desired. Perhaps more effort, communication, or understanding is needed to improve the situation and establish a better connection. In any case, it serves as a reminder that sometimes things don't work out as planned and we need to learn from our experiences and find ways to move forward.
July 15,2025
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I possess the bilingual edition of this (an old hardcover). It might not be the work of my favorite poet, yet it holds great significance in my personal growth and development.

This particular volume has accompanied me through various stages of my life. Although the poet may not top my list of favorites, the words within these pages have left an indelible mark.

The bilingual aspect allows me to explore the poetry from different linguistic perspectives, enhancing my understanding and appreciation. It serves as a valuable resource, providing insights into the cultural and literary context in which the poems were written.

Even though it may not be my absolute favorite, this old hardcover has become an important part of my literary journey. It reminds me of the diverse range of voices and styles that exist within the world of poetry, and how each one can contribute to our growth and understanding.
July 15,2025
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In everything that I endeavor to reach,


I strive for the fundamental essence.


Whether it is in my work,


Or in the realm of love.



I embark on a quest for the past,


Seeking its causes,


Uncovering its roots,


Delving into the very heart of the matter.



I search for


The thread that weaves through life—


The act of thinking,


The depth of feeling,


And the beauty of loving.



If only it were within my power,


I would love to pen


Eight lines


That capture the nature of passion.



About the pursuit and the act of fleeing,


The allure of unlawful loving,


The serendipity of chance encounters,


The touch of elbows and palms.



Establishing the laws that govern,


Unraveling the origins of passion,


I yearn to write


The initials that define passion.



I would construct my poem


Like a magnificent garden:


The rows of lindens


Would glisten and burst into a riot of bloom.



In my poem,


There would be娇艳的 roses,


The fragrance of mint, freshly mowed meadows,


And the rumble of thunder.



Just as Chopin, in his études,


Conjured up


Country houses, graves,


Miracles, and parks.



In the space between games and suffering,


There is an instant of triumph—


The sweet singing


Of a taut bowstring.


July 15,2025
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**Title: The Importance of Reading**

Reading is an essential activity that offers numerous benefits. It allows us to expand our knowledge, improve our vocabulary, and enhance our cognitive abilities.

When we read, we are exposed to different ideas, cultures, and perspectives, which helps us to become more open-minded and empathetic.

Moreover, reading can be a great source of entertainment and relaxation. It can transport us to different worlds and allow us to escape from the stresses of daily life.

Whether it's a novel, a biography, or a self-help book, there is always something to learn and enjoy from reading.

In addition, reading can also improve our writing skills. By observing the writing styles and techniques of other authors, we can learn how to structure our own sentences and paragraphs more effectively.

Overall, reading is a valuable activity that should be encouraged and cultivated from an early age. It can have a profound impact on our lives and help us to become better individuals.
July 15,2025
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The translation of 1991 manages to replicate with enviable clarity the style of Google Translator.

It is truly remarkable how accurately it captures the essence and nuances of the original text.

The attention to detail and the ability to convey the meaning precisely is truly praiseworthy.

Thanks, Alfar, for creating a bilingual edition.

This not only allows for a better understanding of the text in both languages but also serves as a valuable resource for language learners and enthusiasts.

The effort put into this translation is evident, and it is sure to be appreciated by many.

Overall, it is a great achievement that showcases the power and potential of translation in bridging cultural and linguistic gaps.
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