Vladimir Nabokov: Pnin

[pontalba]

I believe its more typically an Old World/Russian influence. WWI changed the way we look at things. If you notice, everything really fell apart after "The Great War"....you know....The War to End All Wars..... Prior to that there was a much higher level of formality observed. Remember Timofey came from that Old School of thought. I suspect that the "imprint" of being forced out of his homeland nurtured the "old ways".


Regarding Liza take a look at p.45-46, Chap 2, sub 5 (about half way thru 5).
She came back after having been gone from Timofey for a year and 4 months. She was 7 months pregnant then. Poor Timofey! He would have made a marvelous father.

Um, pay closer attention to the lover she had just prior to marrying Pnin. And the letter Pnin wrote to her, and the letters final destination.

 

[steffee]

Awww, yes, poor Timofey. But he was better off without her.

I've just re-read Chapter 2.5 and can't believe I missed that. I remembered that "Pnin would have given her a divorce as readily as his life" too, so duh!

 

[Breaca]

Can we do a kind of character linking...

Professor Timofey Pnin - the central character
Dr. Pavel Pnin - TP's father, the Dr. that gets the speck of dust from the narrator's eye when he was 12.
Dr Liza Wind - Pnin's one time lover(?)
Dr Eric Wind - Liza's husband
Victor Wind - son of L.W. and E.W.
Dr. Hermann Hagen - another professor, and jealous of Pnin(?)

And let's not forget the narrator(s?). Although I have not yet finished the book VN gives the reader little tidbits about the narrator. And it's an interesting point (to me anyway) how VN includes the reader - not just Pnin but also Lolita and The Enchanter. For you true Nabokovians who may have read further novels - is this something that VN does in all his works?

 

[pontalba]

And let's not forget the narrator(s?). Although I have not yet finished the book VN gives the reader little tidbits about the narrator. And it's an interesting point (to me anyway) how VN includes the reader - not just Pnin but also Lolita and The Enchanter. For you true Nabokovians who may have read further novels - is this something that VN does in all his works?

The only other Nabokovs that I have read are some of his short stories. But I do notice a tendency to speak to the reader, in those as well. Not always directly, but its there.

Regarding narrators, I quote myself......

Um, pay closer attention to the lover she had just prior to marrying Pnin. And the letter Pnin wrote to her, and the letters final destination.

 

[steffee]

I have only read a few too, Breaca, but yes, VN includes the reader, and directly addresses the reader in the first person, which does help make you feel included somehow in the story.

 

[Breaca]

da-daaa!! Drum roll if you please. I have finished the book Pnin And once again I am in awe of the author. What a delightful little book. As for our gentlemanly Tomofey - what a character. I had to smile at the narrator's comment in Chapter One (eigth para) 'It was the world that was absent-minded and it was Pnin whose business it was to set it straight.' My kinda guy I love the happy ending - yes, I said happy ending. Our witless hero goes riding off into the sunset to who knows what 'miracle' of life that he may stumble upon.

And ah, ah upon discovering the two narrators - trust Mr Nobokov to leave it till the end It was driving my batty as I carefully scanned the pages for clues. Never one to let a puzzle get the better of me I was beginning to think Mr 'N' would leave me high and dry - he's such a sweetie, what was I thinking.

Now I'm off to celebrate with a night-cap. But I think I'll give the 'viscous and sawdust' a miss

 

[pontalba]

Allo, allo, allo! As far as what happened to Timofey, he shows up as a background character of Pale Fire as a tenured professor somewhere or another, but settled and happy.

And btw. good-o!

Also, I hope that Peder will be back soon, so off we go..............!

 

[Breaca]

Will you pulease behave

 

[pontalba]

Will you pulease behave

What! And spoil my (un)pristine image??? LOL

 

[Breaca]

Just as well you used 'un' in your answer I think you're in cahoots with the Nobokovs (and Amazon).

As for Peder - come out, come out wherever you are. Life is just not the same without his invaluable insight. The camp fire is aglow but we want a blaze - so let's hope he hurries back soon

 

[pontalba]

Just as well you used 'un' in your answer I think you're in cahoots with the Nobokovs (and Amazon).

As for Peder - come out, come out wherever you are. Life is just not the same without his invaluable insight. The camp fire is aglow but we want a blaze - so let's hope he hurries back soon

LOL!!

Me too!

 

[steffee]

Wait a minute! Does this mean you (general 'you' not specific 'you') know who the narrator(s) are/were?

I've been musing over that for a while.

But I did consider, do you know after the party when Hagen tells Pnin that he will be being made redundant? And he whispers the name of the professor that is taking over, but the reader doesn't get it, and Pnin says something along the lines of "he is a good friend but I will never work under him". Then later in the narrator chapter at the end, there's a little hint about Pnin resigning?

Sorry I don't have my book to hand. When I get home I could be more specific

 

[StillILearn]

da-daaa!! Drum roll if you please. I have finished the book Pnin And once again I am in awe of the author. What a delightful little book.

Now I'm off to celebrate with a night-cap. But I think I'll give the 'viscous and sawdust' a miss

Ta-daaa! What an amazing writer. Pnin deserves a reread.

But not right now. The Penelopiad is calling my name.

 

[pontalba]

Steffee p.174 (Chapter 7, sub 1). Note his birthplace. (the narrators)

You know, what I wonder about is who is that lady wearing a plumed hat on the next page? Anna Karina? (I have not read AK, but it would sound about right). This is nothing to do with the narrator, just a tangent of my own.

 

[steffee]

Steffee p.174 (Chapter 7, sub 1). Note his birthplace. (the narrators)

You know, what I wonder about is who is that lady wearing a plumed hat on the next page? Anna Karina? (I have not read AK, but it would sound about right). This is nothing to do with the narrator, just a tangent of my own.

I've read Anna Karenina.

I'll have a look when I get home. I will need a re-read anyway, because for one, Pnin is just a fantastic little book, definitely one of my top ten reads ever, and for two, this narrator stuff has got me well and truly bamboozled.

So, I guess I'll be back in a few hours

 

[pontalba]

I've read Anna Karenina.

I'll have a look when I get home. I will need a re-read anyway, because for one, Pnin is just a fantastic little book, definitely one of my top ten reads ever, and for two, this narrator stuff has got me well and truly bamboozled.

So, I guess I'll be back in a few hours

Well, would that little scene in Pavel Pnin's front reception fit in with that story?
look on page 128....

 

[steffee]

Well, would that little scene in Pavel Pnin's front reception fit in with that story?
look on page 128....

STOP IT!!! lol

I am desperate to get home and get my book...

 

[pontalba]

I thought you were home by now.....heh, heh, heh...

 

[steffee]

I'm tempted to just go home. Now, why didn't I bring Pnin with me today.

What's p.128 in my book? Just to avoid unnecessarily wasting time, y'know

 

[pontalba]

I will say this......correlate pages 128, 174, and 178.
174 and 178 are in Chap 7 first part, and 128 is Chap 5 sub 4.


Also take a look at page 117, chap.5 sub. 2 and look for a familiar name, not a present name, but a past name.

click

click

click

Is that the pieces falling into place I hear???

but thats only one.....