Imagine, Darlings, If Mary McCarthy Had Written This Book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                        I kept thinking this all through my reading of Lara Prescott's debut novel, because the girls in the typing pool here reminded me of "The Group;" it had that feminine tinge to the story, but unfortunately, Prescott is not as good a stylist as McCarthy.  Which doesn't mean it is not worth reading, because what is lacking in style, she makes up for in narrative.

                          Being named Lara herself, it is not surprising she wanted to write a novel, dealing with the social and political machinations of getting Boris Pasternak's 1957 masterwork, "Doctor Zhivago," out of Russia, into other countries, into the United States, and even, finally, onto the Hollywood screen.

                          This is fiction, but the author obviously researched Pasternak's life, and the history of this novel.  Those who know this story only from the movie will recognize details of it in some of the characters and incidents depicted, surrounding Pasternak's own life.  If it was never clear before, it is now that, while Omar Sharif portrayed Yuri Zhivago on screen, the character is clearly Boris Pasternak himself.  Which is why it is such an emotionally resonant story.

                           I was glad the movie was referenced in this novel as well.  It is an iconic classic, proven by the test of time.  The music...my God!!!!!!!!!!!   Everyone I knew growing up had the Original Soundtrack Album, and went to see the movie because of it!

                            And, girls, how many of us wanted to look, and dress, like Julie Christie, as Lara?  Hell, I still do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             What is also fascinating to me is how, in 1957, more diverse segments of the American populace, then, were reading the novel.  Secretaries, office workers, all were talking about it, in much the same way they talked about "Gone With The Wind," 21 years before.

                                Today, only the highly literate and literary among us would read and admire Pasternak's novel.  I first read it in high school; I cannot imagine a reader of that age now being able to handle the novel's scope and breadth.  As for the average adult reader, Pasternak is beyond those nursed on a diet of Danielle Steel, or even David Baldacci.

                                   Prescott's novel is an intriguing blend of literary and social (the issue of lesbianism, and covert homosexuality is also dealt with) commentary, and, while not as literary as it might have been, does merit a reading.

                                     And, possibly, it will inspire others to read, or re-read, "Doctor Zhivago."

                                     Or, at least, see the movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                   Was there ever a more enigmatic twentieth century literary heroine, than Lara, in "Doctor Zhivago?"  And who, but Julie Christie could have been better to embody her?

                                                     No wonder Miss Prescott had to write this novel!

                                                    Read it, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!