Recommendations for Nabokov readings?

[Dr. Zirk]

The Terror is a good one - an unusually dark story, at least from the selection of Nabokov writings I have absorbed so far. There is an almost Ligottian feel to that one, with the added element of a romantic obsession. A bleak little tale, indeed.

[paeng]

Certainly Lolita, Pale Fire, and some of the other works mentioned in this thread. For the short stories, see if you can find his hardcover collection, as it contains many of the short stories mentioned here. For the lectures, used copies are usually available in paperback form and very cheap. Take note, though, that Nabokov focuses on aesthetics and form, and from what I remember is often critical of psychological motives of characters, symbolisms, and discussions concerning morality. For example, for a discussion of Kafka's Metamorphosis or Tolstoy's Anna Karenina he would dwell more on setting, appearances, and story structure.

[G. S. Carnivals]

Quote Originally Posted by ;1723

There's another short story - aw crap, I forget the title, but it's about siamese twins and it's the last story in my collection of N.'s short stories.

The story in question is "Scenes from the Life of a Double Monster" which I have in Nabokov's Dozen, a 1958 Popular Library reprint of his collection Spring in Fialta. One doesn't have to venture far into this story to see the probable influence on Thomas Ligotti's early writing. Stories such as "The Chymist" and "Les Fleurs" display elements of the trademark Nabokovian sense of humor and playfulness with words.

Lolita is an admittedly challenging novel, but worth all of the effort which one can expend. Stanley Kubrick's 1962 film adaptation is brilliant. But consider the fact that the screenplay was written by Mr. Nabokov himself. The film features perfect casting, with Peter Sellers, James Mason, Shelley Winters, and Sue Lyon delivering superb performances. Recommended without reservation. Jail bait for the ages!

[Jubel Brosseau]

I must say that "The Terror" really surprised me with its sense of "existential dread" and it sort of puzzles me that I never see this story in any collection of horror stories. It definately gave me the sort of queasy heebie-jeebie sensation that good weird fiction provokes.

[Jubel Brosseau]

Sorry for the second post, but I just remembered a detail in this story that was EXTREMELY effective as an illustration of the protagonist's condition: The description of his (mother's? it's been awhile) face when he sees it upside down. It blew my mind that Nabokov could put so much alien flavor into such mundane detail...brrr

[Spotbowserfido2]

Quote Originally Posted by G. S. Carnivals

Lolita is an admittedly challenging novel, but worth all of the effort which one can expend. Stanley Kubrick's 1962 film adaptation is brilliant. But consider the fact that the screenplay was written by Mr. Nabokov himself.

Vladimir Nabokov's Lolita screenplay was not filmed, however. The version which was filmed was actually written by Stanley Kubrick.

[Patrick Mullins]

Pale Fire is an all time favorite of mine, I read it around the same time I discovered Borges. Not sure if it is because of this that it reminds me of Borges' fictions, but it certainly does. Surprised to see that no one has brought up Bend Sinister...worth a look. I've never read any of N.'s short stories, but after reading these posts, I believe I'll head down to the library today and see what I can find.

[G. S. Carnivals]

Thank you for the correction, Rover. Since Errata R Us, I must report that referring to my 1958 paperback copy of Nabokov's Dozen as a reprint of the collection Spring in Fialta is incorrect as well. Or is it? I own the second printing of the Popular Library edition from November of 1958 (I think). The first printing is indicated as August, 1958. The copyright page indicates that Nabokov's Dozen was published (presumably in hardcover) by Doubleday & Company, Inc. in September of 1958. Further, my copy which is clearly titled Nabokov's Dozen on both cover and spine, displays the following information on both the copyright and title pages: "Originally reprinted as Spring in Fialta." Out of this confusion, I posit that in the beginning, there was only Nabokov's Dozen. And Nabokov's Dozen begat Spring in Fialta (the first paperback reprint). And as the days passed, Spring in Fialta begat Nabokov's Dozen, a Second Coming of the Father. And a great confusion spread across the land. Those who spoke Russian could write only in English. Amen.

Your Virgoan Rooster,
Phil

[the_havoc_man]

I have always wanted to read Lolita. I went to used book store looking for a copy of it but, alas there was none.

[jamcrip]

I had wanted to read this book for some time,but not so Enthusiastically.. i consider it as a cheap vulgar reading but when i got a chance to read it i deeply influance about it, well i am a very much reading buff. I absolutely loved it at first. It was just the right combination of vulgarity, candor, and smartassed criticism of human stupidity. The lofty language and the constant esoteric references (including phrases of French with no translation) often frustrated me and sometimes seemed kind of stupidly elitist. , so I'll say that I fully understand why this is considered one of the great, enduring works of literature.