I cannot speak to the accuracy of this translation.

However, when it is particularly compared to so many other translations of Pasternak's poetry that I have encountered, this version by Rudman & Boychuk stands out.

It flows smoothly, which is a remarkable quality.

At the very least, it provides a glimpse of why Pasternak was held in such high regard during his time.

The way the words are arranged and the rhythm that emerges give a sense of the beauty and power that Pasternak's original poetry must have possessed.

Although I may not be able to fully assess the exact faithfulness to the original, this translation manages to capture some of the essence and allure of Pasternak's work.

It makes one curious to explore more of his poetry and to try to understand the depth of his artistry.

Perhaps through further study and comparison with other translations, a more complete picture of Pasternak's genius can be obtained.

Nonetheless, this version by Rudman & Boychuk is a valuable contribution to the body of work dedicated to translating Pasternak's poetry.

This is Pasternak's first book of poems.

Many of the poems within it are centered around the rainstorms that occur in his garden.

However, to be completely honest, I have to admit that I found a significant number of them to be rather boring.

But then again, one has to wonder, who really knows what the true relationship is between the English verses that I read and the original Russian verses that Pasternak penned?

Perhaps there are nuances and subtleties in the Russian language that are lost in translation, which could potentially change the entire perception of the poems.

It's also possible that my own personal tastes and preferences play a role in my assessment.

Nevertheless, despite my initial impression of boredom, I still feel that there is something to be gained from reading Pasternak's work.

Maybe with further exploration and a deeper understanding of the context and background, I will be able to appreciate the beauty and significance of these poems more fully.

Essential reading for fans of \\n  Doctor Zhivago\\n, this influential 1922 debut collection of Pasternak’s poetry is truly remarkable. It remains startling in its nature mysticism and life-force exuberance. Pasternak’s exhortation in the poem “Sparrow Hills” to “Get your soul in motion, stretch it like a sail!” is like Walt Whitman as a caffeinated Zoomba instructor.

Translator Mark Rudman, who co-translated the text in 1983 with Ukrainian poet Bohdan Boychuk, in his informative preface, says Pasternak was “enchanted” when he wrote these poems. He suggests that they manage to be both “wild and controlled.” The voice will be familiar to Zhivago readers. The novel’s final chapter, with its compendium of Zhivago’s poetry, is pitched in a similar ecstatic vein.

This collection offers a unique insight into Pasternak’s poetic genius,展现了他对自然和生命的深刻理解与热情表达. It is a must-read for those who appreciate the beauty and power of poetry.

I was not and have not become a fan of Pasternak's poetry, but thanks to this book, I wanted to read his prose.

There is so much depth and excitement in his words.

A separate boundless gratitude for the context and comments on the events from his life and texts, collected in this edition.

This book has opened up a new world for me, allowing me to explore the genius of Pasternak in a different light.

The prose is rich and vivid, painting a detailed picture of the times and the people.

It makes me want to delve deeper into his works and understand his perspective on life and art.

I am truly grateful for this opportunity to discover Pasternak's prose and look forward to reading more of his works in the future.

The 1917 collection 'My Sister--Life' was regarded as, until the emergence of Dr. Zhivago, Boris Pasternak's most outstanding work. And it should be noted that Dr. Zhivago didn't surface in Russia until 1988. These poems offer us Pasternak's tenderness, his clarity, and his soulfulness. He doesn't boom like Mayakovsky, nor does he possess the feverish quality of Tsvetayeva, with whom he had a passionate correspondence after her departure from Russia. He doesn't keen like Akhmatova or knit puzzles like Mandelstam. His handwriting on the inside flaps seems to bear the mark of the man - even, clear, thoughtful, flowing, and readable.

Regarding writing, Pasternak has stated, (as seen in Modern Russian Poets on Poetry) "We depict people in order to drape a cloak of weather upon them. Weather - or what amounts to the same thing, nature - we represent to cast our passion upon its shoulders. We drag the everyday into prose for the sake of poetry. We draw prose into poetry for the sake of music. This is what, in the broadest sense of the word, I term art." My Sister--Life indeed provides evidence of this.

This volume particularly also contains the poem "A Sublime Malady", penned between 1923 and 1928, concerning the revolution. I have a deep affection for these stanzas:

"...this is the sublime malady.
I desired to be like everyone else,
but our glorious age
is stronger than my grief
and endeavors to imitate me.
....
We were the music of thought
and sought to sweep the stairs,
but as the cold congealed,
ice obscured the passage.
....
The new nourishes the row of ages,
but its golden pie, devoured
before tradition can steep the sauce,
lodges in your throat."

This edition of Pasternak's book is an Ardis publication, similar to most English books by Soviet writers during that era (pre-perestroika), published in 1983. The publishing house itself was unique and irreplaceable. It was the life's work of the scholarly couple Carl and Ellendea Proffer from Ann Arbor, Michigan. They set themselves the dual task of publishing the Russian canon of the Silver Age in Russian for Russians, books that were impossible to find in the Soviet Union - Tsvetaeva, Akhmatova, Mandelstam - their first book being Nabokov's Ada - as well as publishing Soviet writers translated into English - such as Pasternak, Shklovsky, Olesha, and Bulgakov's annotated The Master and Margarita... over 400 titles, half in English, half in Russian. Evidently, Carl Proffer sponsored Brodsky's arrival in America and secured him his first job at the University of Michigan. He passed away shortly after this Pasternak book was published in 1983, but she received a MacArthur genius award in 1989.

My only complaint about this book is that it would have been wonderful if they had published it as a bilingual edition. It is impossible to translate every aspect of a poem, capturing the meaning, voice, meter, and rhyme. And my Russian is far from good enough to read Pasternak in the original. However, it would have been amazing to at least see the words on the page, gain a sense of the music, the rhyme scheme - the music truly suffers in translation.

I was pleading with them -

Please don't torment me.

I can't manage to sleep.

But - the rain was falling thickly, and marking the step

the clouds were going on the dusty market,

like recruits, in the morning, behind the farmhouse.

And they wandered for hours, for centuries,

like Austrian prisoners,

like a feeble moan,

like the moan:

"Give me to drink,

sister".

This description creates a vivid and somewhat melancholic scene. The speaker is in a state of distress, unable to find peace or rest. The heavy rain and the wandering clouds add to the sense of desolation and aimlessness. The comparison of the clouds to recruits and prisoners further emphasizes their sense of confinement and lack of freedom. The repeated moan of "Give me to drink, sister" adds a touch of pathos and longing. Overall, the rewritten and expanded article enhances the original text, painting a more detailed and emotional picture.

"Очень природно-эротично" can be translated to "Very naturally erotic".

This phrase seems to suggest a sense of sensuality and allure that occurs in a natural and unforced way. It implies a kind of beauty and charm that is not artificial or contrived.

When something is described as very naturally erotic, it might evoke images of a beautiful landscape, a graceful movement, or a soft touch. It could be the way the sunlight filters through the leaves, or the gentle breeze that caresses the skin.

This concept of natural eroticism can also be applied to human relationships. It might refer to the chemistry and connection that exists between two people, a connection that is based on mutual attraction and understanding.

In conclusion, "Very naturally erotic" is a phrase that captures a unique and alluring quality that can be found in many aspects of life. It reminds us to appreciate the beauty and sensuality that exists in the world around us, and to embrace the natural desires and attractions that we feel.

Even as someone with only a rudimentary appreciation for poetry,

this is a work of pure magic. The English translation's prose and cadence is masterful.

It is as if the translator has managed to capture the essence of the original work and bring it to life in a whole new language. The words flow seamlessly, creating a rhythm that is both captivating and enchanting.

Each line seems to be carefully crafted, with a depth of meaning that goes beyond the surface. I find myself constantly drawn back to this book, eager to explore its pages and discover new nuances.

It is a true gem, and I truly love it. I would highly recommend it to anyone, regardless of their level of interest in poetry. It is a work that has the power to touch the heart and inspire the imagination.

Csodás versek!! This phrase immediately catches our attention and makes us curious about what lies within these wonderful poems. Poems have the power to touch our hearts,激发 our emotions, and transport us to different worlds. They can be a source of inspiration, a means of expressing our deepest thoughts and feelings, or simply a form of entertainment.

Csodás versek might refer to a collection of extraordinary poems that have been carefully crafted by talented poets. These poems could cover a wide range of themes, from love and nature to life and death. Each poem might have its own unique style, rhythm, and imagery, making it a truly captivating piece of literature.

Whether you are a poetry enthusiast or someone who is just starting to explore the world of poetry, Csodás versek is definitely worth checking out. You might discover new poets, new perspectives, and new ways of looking at the world. So, go ahead and immerse yourself in the beauty and magic of these wonderful poems!

The formula for this collection of poems is that there is no formula.

(Phillip C. Flayderman translation).

I told myself I wouldn't include the word "paradox" in this review but I began with one! Pasternak! Each word leads to a logical next-word conclusion, yet the poetry truly thrives in that bridge between words.

If you relish the feeling of calm during a summer storm, you should definitely immerse yourself in this book.

Does the melancholy drive Pasternak rhythmically insane? These poems function by presenting a swirling mass of images, and there is a glimmer of a subject present, just enough to give definition to the whirlwind and solve it.

It's a collection that you can return to with a different perspective. I'm really looking forward to Doctor Zhivago (maybe next year!).

Overall, this collection of poems offers a unique and captivating experience, inviting readers to explore the spaces between words and discover the hidden meanings and emotions within.

The lack of a formula allows for a more fluid and organic reading experience, as each poem takes the reader on a journey of its own.

Pasternak's use of imagery and rhythm adds depth and texture to the poems, making them both engaging and thought-provoking.

Whether you're a fan of poetry or simply looking for something new to read, this collection is definitely worth checking out.

Magical.

It's truly a word that fails to fully capture the essence of what I'm experiencing.

I can't even begin to imagine what it must be like in Russian.

The Russian language is so rich and diverse, with its own unique set of sounds, grammar, and vocabulary.

It's said to be a language of great beauty and power, capable of expressing the most complex emotions and ideas.

I wonder if the magic I feel now would be even more intense if I could understand and speak Russian.

Perhaps the words would roll off my tongue with a different kind of fluidity, and the meanings would resonate within me on a deeper level.

But for now, I'll just have to imagine and let my curiosity run wild.

Who knows what other wonders await me as I continue to explore the world of language and culture?

Life is my sister

Life is my sister, and now it has scattered like the bananas of spring on everyone in turmoil.

But they, with their heavy excuses

Of Londoners

Like snakes in the grass

They sting with their nastiness.

They have their own pretexts

Undoubtedly, your source of laughter is the sweet wine.

During the storm, the eyes and eyebrows turn purple

And the horizon has the moist fragrance of sparkles.

In the month of May, on the railway track, a shiny train

When you read the train schedules

A more magnificent program than the Holy Book is revealed.

So, once again, start all over from the beginning.