What a truly amazing book, one that works on so many levels. As historical fiction, it pulls from the files of the CIA and the experiences in Soviet "re-education" camps. As a book about women in the workforce, it nails the reality of being just as talented as men and offered menial roles. As a look at LGBTQ+ issues, it describes what life was like when being in the closet was a choice between existence and non-existence. And most of all, it describes the steps taken by so many to publish Boris Pasternak's literary masterpiece, "Dr. Zhivago."

The story takes place in two locales, clearly labeled: East and West, and during roughly the same time period of 1949 - 1961. In the East, Boris Pasternak is putting the finishing touches on his masterpiece, while Olga, his mistress, is visited by the KGB to inquire about her involvement in his work. This visit eventually leads to the Gulag; Boris is ruminating about his fellow writers and poets who have met a similar fate. The difference is that Stalin loves Boris Pasternak's poetry and his hand has protected Pasternak.

Meanwhile, after the Second World War ends, the women in the OSS who performed admirably are given jobs at the Agency. As typists. Despite their talents, despite their successes, they are asked to type memos and notes and letters, day after day. They form a camaraderie and one of them is Irina. Her mother left Soviet Russia without her husband, and at his death in the USSR she begins to ply her trade as a dressmaker to the community. Irina lives with her and most of the story from the West portions are told from her POV.

The 3 years Boris and Olga spend apart are described, and when the book is finally, finally completed the manner in which it was published would interest the most diehard John le Carré geek. What resulted was pure Soviet machinations to try to explain why the rest of the world read it before it was published in Russia.

In the West, Irina is befriended by Sally, and Irina is engaged to Ted who has a passion for all things Russian. Which is what attracts him to Irina. There are details about life as a working woman in Washington, D.C. in the 50's that are not too different from our own time. The details about life in the Agency as an LGBTQ+ person are horrendous and also, sadly, timely.

I found that this was a book I needed to savor, like a fine wine or heady beer. Pick up, enjoy, then put down. ( )

I was hoping there would be more in this book about the women in the CIA and their contributions and less about a romance. I enjoyed the spying that was done and can imagine how successful it might have been during the Cold War period. I learned about the CIA and their getting copies of Dr. Zhivago into the USSR, something I did not know. I was less comfortable with the romance between Sally and Irina. I learned a good bit about Boris Pasternak, from the book and through my own computer search. ( )

Un livre sous forme de multiples miroirs d'une réalité bien cachée. ( )

Novel about an operation I knew nothing about--the operation to smuggle the book Doctor Zhivago out of Russia and get it published throughout the world. And the role that several women had in the operation. Well written. You come to care about the characters. Chapters are alternately told by several of the main characters. ( )

A compelling book about Dr Zhivago.