Russia: CIA Helped Pasternak Win Nobel Prize

Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty ^ | Dec. 14, 2006 | RFERL

[sergey1973]

A Russian literary expert says the U.S. secret service oversaw the publication in Russian of Pasternak's novel "Doctor Zhivago," paving the way for him to win the world's most coveted literary prize.

PRAGUE, December 14, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- In 1958, Boris Pasternak, the great Russian poet and novelist, was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature for what the Nobel committee described as his "important achievement both in contemporary lyrical poetry and in the field of the great Russian epic tradition."

Best known in the Soviet Union for his poetic verse, it was his "epic" novel "Doctor Zhivago" that gained him the greatest recognition in the West.

A tragic love story set against the tumult of Russia's Bolshevik Revolution, "Doctor Zhivago" for many readers represented the epitome of the classic Russian novel.

The novel was first published in Italian in 1957; numerous translations followed.

In the spring of 1958, the French writer and philosopher Albert Camus nominated Pasternak for the Nobel Prize. But there was one key matter standing in his way: the book was not published in Russian, and writers must have their work published in their native language before they can be considered for a Nobel Prize.

[sergey1973]

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[sergey1973]

PING. Very intriguing historical article on the cultural aspects of the Cold War.

[paudio]

Nobel Prizes always involve politics, especially in literature and peace.

[Little Bill]

"Doctor Zhivago"

I spent most of my freshman year in high school reading this book, to the neglect of all studies, in English Class anyway. This book and "One Day in the life of Ivan......(sp)" were very informative in shaping my political attitudes.

[Buck W.]

Denisovich, I believe. It had the same effect on me.

[RedMonqey]

So did I. Ialso read "1984" ..


When the actually year 1984 came I was kinda diappointed things hadn't become like in the book.


Now I'm not so sure Big Brother" hasn't already been here for so time. Hmmmmmm.

[Little Bill]

I read it in "Look" magazine, a serial, in 1960 or 61(?). Knocked my Jock off, that and the "True Believer" by Hoffer kinda shaped my political views.

[fat city]

Great story. The same happened to Pavlov who attained such reknown that Stalin wouldn't touch him and, in fact, allowed him to live a pretty comfortable life without the restraints placed upon the rest of the population.

[Little Bill]

Pavlov hated the Soviet regime, Gorkey(sp) sold out, his wife was a OGPU butterfly.

[the Real fifi]

That's when the agency was still doing it's job.