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Vladimir Nabokov: Look at the Harlequins!
- Thread starter Gem
- Start date
Gem
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Hello Steffee,
I started it last night, have only read the first 50 or so pages. So far i've found it to be an easier(?) read compared to Sebastian Knight, but it is just as stimulating and thought provoking.
The opening sentence hooked me and may be one of the longest I have come across;
I met the first of my three or four successive wives in somewhat odd circumstances, the development of which resembled a clumsy conspiracy, with nonsensical details and a main plotter who not only knew nothing of its real object but insisted on making inept moves that seemed to preclude that slightest possibility of success.
I started it last night, have only read the first 50 or so pages. So far i've found it to be an easier(?) read compared to Sebastian Knight, but it is just as stimulating and thought provoking.
The opening sentence hooked me and may be one of the longest I have come across;
I met the first of my three or four successive wives in somewhat odd circumstances, the development of which resembled a clumsy conspiracy, with nonsensical details and a main plotter who not only knew nothing of its real object but insisted on making inept moves that seemed to preclude that slightest possibility of success.
steffee
Active Member
Oh, so it's one of those... have you read Pnin, Gem?
Anyway, I will definitely pick this up and read all about his wives. I love how Nabokov's characters always make disastrous choices in women.
Oh, but if you think that's a long sentence, you should try Marcel Proust's Swann's Way or read the final chapter of Ulysses - something like 7 sentences in the whole 30+ page chapter.
It's long enough to capture the attention, though...
Anyway, I will definitely pick this up and read all about his wives. I love how Nabokov's characters always make disastrous choices in women.
Oh, but if you think that's a long sentence, you should try Marcel Proust's Swann's Way or read the final chapter of Ulysses - something like 7 sentences in the whole 30+ page chapter.
It's long enough to capture the attention, though...
Gem
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Steffee
Not yet Steffee, I only bought it the other day, along with a 'few' others by Nabokov.
According to my bookseller fella this is a must read, simply because it is Nabokovs last published novel and is about a Russian emigre who just so happens to be a novelist, poet & critic. Although he did also say that about every Nabokov book that he was ringing up on the till without even asking whether I wanted them. I told him that perhaps he should come online and meet the Nabokovians.
After Finnegans Wake I'm not sure whether i'm brave enough to tackle Joyce again, perhaps if I slept for a couple days non stop beforehand I might just might get through another one.
Proust - I've always wanted to read, but if I don't even know the right pronounciation of the authors name then it's not a great start. I've heard some people pronounce it as 'Proust' and others as 'Proost'
Not yet Steffee, I only bought it the other day, along with a 'few' others by Nabokov.
According to my bookseller fella this is a must read, simply because it is Nabokovs last published novel and is about a Russian emigre who just so happens to be a novelist, poet & critic. Although he did also say that about every Nabokov book that he was ringing up on the till without even asking whether I wanted them.
I told him that perhaps he should come online and meet the Nabokovians. After Finnegans Wake I'm not sure whether i'm brave enough to tackle Joyce again, perhaps if I slept for a couple days non stop beforehand I might just might get through another one.Proust - I've always wanted to read, but if I don't even know the right pronounciation of the authors name then it's not a great start. I've heard some people pronounce it as 'Proust' and others as 'Proost'
steffee
Active Member
lol, that sounds familiar. A couple of weeks ago, I went to Amazon to buy Laughter in the Dark. Ended up forgetting that one but buying seven or eight others.Gem said:
Which means, of course, I need to go back.
Oh, he should! Definitely.According to my bookseller fella this is a must read, simply because it is Nabokovs last published novel and is about a Russian emigre who just so happens to be a novelist, poet & critic. Although he did also say that about every Nabokov book that he was ringing up on the till without even asking whether I wanted them.
In that case I will believe him (oh, most certainly) and begin this one today. It's quite a long one, though, if I recall correctly?
Jeez, if you've gotten through Finnegans Wake you can get through anything!
I thought it was Proost. No idea. Maybe we should have a poll.Proust - I've always wanted to read, but if I don't even know the right pronounciation of the authors name then it's not a great start. I've heard some people pronounce it as 'Proust' and others as 'Proost'
But anyway, forget the name, the book is great.
Gem
kickbox
Steffee,
I have the Penguin one and it comes to just under 200 pages. It looks quite tiny sitting on my desk next to some fatties like Foucaults Pendulum.
I was visiting my sister in Durham at the time, and it was the only book i had taken with me. Her in-laws were also visiting so it was a choice between death by sly comments or death by boredom. I chose boredom and slept my way through Joyce.
I'll add it to my next round of splurging, though if you're tricking me into reading something horribly hard and tedious then i'll...well i don't know what i'll do ..perhaps just show you this smilie maybe?
I bet you come back with another load of books and realise you've forgotton it again?
I have the Penguin one and it comes to just under 200 pages. It looks quite tiny sitting on my desk next to some fatties like Foucaults Pendulum.
I was visiting my sister in Durham at the time, and it was the only book i had taken with me. Her in-laws were also visiting so it was a choice between death by sly comments or death by boredom. I chose boredom and slept my way through Joyce.
I'll add it to my next round of splurging, though if you're tricking me into reading something horribly hard and tedious then i'll...well i don't know what i'll do ..perhaps just show you this smilie maybe?
Peder
Well-Known Member
Yay hooray Gem!Gem said:Peder, Steffee, Pontalba, StillILearn & everyone else reading along,
I've done the hard part and created the thread. All you have to do now is the um..easy discussion/analysis/solving the puzzle bit.
Congratulations on starting the new thread!
However you can't wriggle out of it that easily! You too will have to share some of the easy work.
And now I had really better get on with some serious reading!
Peder
PS Your PM box is full, the last I checked yesterday.
pontalba
Well-Known Member
Boy! Just look what happens when I sleep late!Gem said:Peder, Steffee, Pontalba, StillILearn & everyone else reading along,
I've done the hard part and created the thread. All you have to do now is the um..easy discussion/analysis/solving the puzzle bit.
Ah, but Gem responsibility comes with making the plunge and first post!
So you'd better look like coming up with lotsa 'splaining on puzzles, imagery, discussion and analysis. I look forward to your take on the Nabokovian Plot Lines.
Now to reading.
Gem
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First Impressions,
Firstly, I can't say how relieved I am that the narrator has a name.
It's difficult to form any first overall impressions when the words have so grabbed my attention, and I keep saying some of the sentences over and over again. But I'll give it a shot.
Vadim, anyone who starts with "I met the first of my three or four successive wives..." is going to be quite a character. So far I find him to be interesting & engaging. Yet I can't help but feel that there is something deliberately exagerated about him. As the back cover on my book loudly announces Vadim like Nabokov is a Russian emigre, who is a novelist, poet and critic.
So is Nabokov giving us a parody of himself? At this stage i'm thinking along the lines of yes....the novel does have the feel of two stories being told just like Sebastian Knight, and the more I read the more I think i see references to Lolita (i could be mistaken ) and i'm thinking perhaps there are some references to some of his other works but I can't spot them because i've only read Lolita and S.Knight. Then there is the dual (or what I call the Gemini) aspect in Nabokovs work - there are always doppelgangers/mirror reflections (see i do read the various threads and posts ) so i'm thinking Vadim also has to have one. Who better than Nabokov himself? Of course this line of thinking may change as I get closer to finishing the book.
That's enough of my rambling for now, what are everyone elses first impressions?
Firstly, I can't say how relieved I am that the narrator has a name.
It's difficult to form any first overall impressions when the words have so grabbed my attention, and I keep saying some of the sentences over and over again. But I'll give it a shot.
Vadim, anyone who starts with "I met the first of my three or four successive wives..." is going to be quite a character. So far I find him to be interesting & engaging. Yet I can't help but feel that there is something deliberately exagerated about him. As the back cover on my book loudly announces Vadim like Nabokov is a Russian emigre, who is a novelist, poet and critic.
So is Nabokov giving us a parody of himself? At this stage i'm thinking along the lines of yes....the novel does have the feel of two stories being told just like Sebastian Knight, and the more I read the more I think i see references to Lolita (i could be mistaken
) and i'm thinking perhaps there are some references to some of his other works but I can't spot them because i've only read Lolita and S.Knight. Then there is the dual (or what I call the Gemini) aspect in Nabokovs work - there are always doppelgangers/mirror reflections (see i do read the various threads and posts ) so i'm thinking Vadim also has to have one. Who better than Nabokov himself? Of course this line of thinking may change as I get closer to finishing the book.That's enough of my rambling for now, what are everyone elses first impressions?
pontalba
Well-Known Member
Gem said:Pontalba
Sure Pontalba, I'm preparing a splendid post, which um..unravels all of Nabokovs carefully constructed prose, and reveals the secrets within.
*darn, I better rethink the planned 'I loved it cos it was good' post
ROTFLOL !
Back later, when I'm more cognizant of my surroundings.
IOW, when I've read more than 10 pages.
Peder
Well-Known Member
Gem!Gem said:if I hadn't always left all my school homework until the last minute, and completed it early instead, then this is what it would have felt like.
Have you indeed finished the book? /drops monocle/
Sunday evening was when I always did my homework. I always thought that was normal.
Now you are going to tell me it's not? Peder