Doctor Zhivago: What's the fuss?

War is bad. I get it. I don't seem to get Doctor Zhivago, the Nobel Prize-winning novel that was banned by the Soviet Union. I can see why the SU didn't like it; I don't see why anyone else does. Lost people in the midst of several wars meet, lose each other and meet again unexpectedly. Some nice characterization never seems to gel into a coherent theme. At least, not for me.

Anyone care to explain why they liked/disliked the book? (Maybe the movie will improve my understanding.)