Pasternak

Pasternak is a surname of Russian origin. It is most widely associated with Boris Pasternak (1890–1960), a Russian poet and novelist who became a major figure in 20th-century literature. Born in Moscow into a family engaged in the arts, Pasternak wrote lyric poetry and later authored the novel Doctor Zhivago (1957), which is celebrated for its portrayal of personal conscience amid political upheaval.

Doctor Zhivago won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1958, but Pasternak was pressured by Soviet authorities to decline the award and ultimately did not travel to accept it. The novel was banned in the Soviet Union for decades and did not appear there until the reforms of the late 1980s allowed broader publication and distribution.

Beyond Doctor Zhivago, Pasternak’s poetry and prose are noted for lyrical language, philosophical depth, and a nuanced approach to courage, love, and morality. His work contributed to a broader modernist movement in Russian literature and influenced subsequent generations of writers and poets.

The surname Pasternak is used by other individuals in Russian and Jewish cultural life, but Boris Pasternak remains the most prominent bearer associated with the name.