We have all become people according to the measure in which we have loved people and have had occasion for loving. Love is a powerful force that shapes us and defines who we are. When we love others, we open our hearts and souls, and in doing so, we allow ourselves to grow and change. Love gives us the opportunity to experience deep emotions, to connect with others on a profound level, and to make a difference in the world. It is through love that we learn to be kind, compassionate, and understanding. We become more patient, more forgiving, and more accepting of others. Love teaches us to look beyond our own needs and desires and to focus on the needs of those around us. It makes us better people, and it enriches our lives in ways that we could never have imagined.
Safe Conduct: An Autobiography and Other Writings
Written when he was forty, Safe Conduct puzzled many readers in Russia and when it appeared in English, because its isolated sharp impressions and juxtapositions seem to deny chronology, but at least one critic recognized it as "the most original of autobiographies, employing a new technique of great important."
Also included is a group of remarkable short stories, translated by Robert Payne, dealing with the mysteries of life and art, and a selection of the poems that have made Pasternak known, to the few at last, as the "outstanding Russian poet of the century." these are translated by the British Critic and poet C. M. Bowra, and by Miss Deutsch.
286 pages, Paperback
First published December 1,1958
This edition
- Format
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286 pages, Paperback
- Published
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April 14, 2009 by New Directions
- ISBN
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9780811201353
- ASIN
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081120135X
- Language
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English
About the author
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.
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Community Reviews
If you were to entrust a tree with the responsibility of overseeing its own growth, a rather interesting scenario might unfold. The tree could potentially deviate from the natural path of balanced development. It might choose to become all branch, focusing solely on the outward expansion and neglecting the importance of a strong root system. Or perhaps, it could disappear wholly into its roots, becoming so engrossed in the underground world that it forgets to reach for the sunlight and fulfill its role above ground. Another possibility is that it might squander all its energy on a single leaf, pouring all its resources into creating a magnificent but ultimately disproportionate appendage. In doing so, it would forget that the universe provides a model of harmony and balance that it should strive to emulate. After expending its efforts to produce one thing out of a thousand, it might then make the mistake of beginning to reproduce that one thing a thousand times, rather than diversifying and growing in a more sustainable and holistic manner.
Begun on Susan Sontag's recommendation, I embarked on reading Pasternak's work. However, I soon found his dense poetic style to be too slow and difficult to read. The words seemed to be intricately woven, making it a challenge to follow the flow of his thoughts. I knew that persevering with it might be very rewarding in the end, as it could potentially open up a whole new world of literary exploration. But, as usual, I got impatient. My mind started to wander and I began thinking, "I could be reading Andre Lorde!" Lorde's writing, I thought, might offer a different kind of experience, perhaps one that was more accessible and engaging. Nevertheless, I also felt a sense of guilt for not giving Pasternak's work a fair chance. I knew that I should probably push through the initial difficulties and see where it led me. But for now, my impatience was getting the better of me.
Autobiography of Boris Pasternak which focuses more on his literary influences and his acquaintance with other Russian artists of his era such as Mayakovsky, Tsvetayeva, Pilnyak, etc. It is quite well-written and a bit romantic.
Boris Pasternak was a remarkable figure in Russian literature. His autobiography provides a fascinating insight into the literary world of his time.
He was deeply influenced by the works and ideas of his contemporaries. The relationship he had with other artists like Mayakovsky, Tsvetayeva, and Pilnyak was not only one of mutual respect but also a source of inspiration and exchange of creative ideas.
The autobiography is not just a record of his personal life but also a reflection of the literary and artistic trends of the era. It shows how Pasternak was able to absorb the different influences and create his own unique style.
Overall, it is a well-written and engaging piece that offers a valuable perspective on the life and works of one of Russia's greatest poets.
