Winner of the 2000 Pulitzer Prize for biography and hailed by critics as both "monumental" (The Boston Globe) and "utterly romantic" (New York maga...
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Jun 03, 2011
Nikitabanana
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Vladmir Nabokov was a giant in the world of literature, celebrated for works like “Lolita”, and “King, Queen Knave” and his wife, Vera Nabokov was the ultimate woman behind the great man. Vera Nabokov was not only devoted to her husband’s literary career; she was crucial to it. Through 52 years of marriage and for 14 years after her spouse’s demise, she saw the sole meaning of her life as nourishing Nabokov and safeguarding his works and image for posterity. During the lean Berlin years, Vera pr
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Mar 21, 2011
Joselito
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With this book I conclude my review of Gertrude Stein's "The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas."
Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas; Vladimir Nabokov and Vera Evseevna Slonim-Nabokov. Their lives and stories run along parallel lines.
Alice B. Toklas and Vera Nabokov both survived their famous partners. They both died at age 89. In "The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas", where Gertrude Stein appropriated the voice of her partner Alice, the latter called G More...
Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas; Vladimir Nabokov and Vera Evseevna Slonim-Nabokov. Their lives and stories run along parallel lines.
Alice B. Toklas and Vera Nabokov both survived their famous partners. They both died at age 89. In "The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas", where Gertrude Stein appropriated the voice of her partner Alice, the latter called G More...
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Feb 24, 2011
Gayle
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LOVED this book....The author won a pulitzer prize - and deserves it! Stacy Schiff has an elegant touch in this biography of a difficult subject, the wife of Vladimir Nabokov (Lolita) She spent her life trying to stay in the shadows - She and Vladimir were happily married for over 50 years, and both left Russia (st. petersburg) during the pogroms, and then had to leave their newly adopted city, Berlin, when Hilter rose in power (Vera was jewish) This book is a wonderful look at part of the hi
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Jan 21, 2010
Amy
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I cried when I finished this book. And not because Vera Nabokov dies, just as VN does, but because Schiff does such an excellent job of writing about this amazing woman and an amazing love story, without trying too hard to solve Vera's mysteries (which would simply be impossible). Although perhaps Vera wouldn't have liked the book, I think VN would have approved of Schiff's writing, to at least some degree. Her language is fluid, and while my one complaint is perhaps too much Nabokov and not
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Aug 03, 2009
John
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A thoroughly engaging biography. The author has created an entirely convincing world, obviously the world that she believes Vera Nabokov inhabited. We'll never know, of course, but I'm willing to suspend disbelief - for the moment at least - because Schiff is so skilled in marshalling, presenting and interpreting biograqphical detail in order to reveal her sense of Vera's personality, her beliefs, feelings, preferences, annoyances, and so on. Schiff suppresses any misgivings she may have felt at
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Jul 09, 2011
Sushila
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I did not anticipate that I would like the later part of the book more than the beginning. When reading biographies, I usually like learning about the subject's childhood because it's often an illuminating perspective from which to view their development as an individual. However, I felt that the beginning of Vera dragged with repetitive information. True, less was known about Vera as a child and young woman, and what Stacy Schiff did unearth was admirable, but much of content could be summar
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Sep 30, 2011
Eva
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Read it during the summer. What a biography! A portrait of a woman, literary wife, her husband's muse and secretary and his agent. Aloof, cerebral, utterly devoted to her husband's writing, Vera Nabokov was a formidable force. Stacy Schiff is a wonderful biographer. Thorough, honest and full of compassionate understanding of human foibles. As it is always with the two Nabokovs...if you take Vera you have to take Vladimir, too, so the book gives the insight to both.
Nov 11, 2011
"[A] riveting portrait....Anna Fields' intelligent narration is necessary to convey the life of such a woman adequately. Highly recommended." -Library Journal
Listen to Vra on your smartphone.
Listen to Vra on your smartphone.
Mar 06, 2010
Mary Lisa
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A wonderfully written account of the life of this brilliant woman, and her important supporting role in the work of her husband, Vladimir Nabokov. Long, but never dull!!
Aug 06, 2011
Cwelshhans
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There were parts of this book that really rose to the author's theme of Vera. But there were other parts I just found really boring, and I can't work out whether that's me not caring about the subject matter or whether it's an actual issue with the book. I enjoyed Schiff's Cleopatra much more.
Oct 05, 2011
Cherop
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I thought this would be a fascinating book about a fascinating woman, the wife of Vladimir Nabokov. Initially I found it rather boring but as I persevered, I was interested in the life this couple led. My copy of the book was in very light coloured and small print. Combined with all the footnotes and all the details, I just found this book a tough slog though I did enjoy it more as I got about a third of the way through it. I have to hand it to the author who did a tremendous job of researching
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Jan 16, 2012
Whitney
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Although I don't think I would have liked Vera the person, this biography is a masterful portrait of the woman and the times and events of her life.
Apr 07, 2011
crm
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meticulous biography of Vera Nabokov, an outstanding woman. highly readable and many insight's into Vladimir Nabokov's world.
Dec 16, 2009
Whit
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I came to dislike the Nabokovs rather a lot after reading this book. I don't read him anymore. It soured me. I think of their nasty portrait every time I try. The moral of the story is: don't read biographies of your favorite authors. These two reminded me of a number of miserable, cranky old intellectual (sometimes in their own minds)types I have known well and not-so-well.
Sep 25, 2008
Sarah
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at times this book was hard to put down, but it was also rather dry at times. large sections of the book were devoted to describing the tedious work of publishing and translation as well as negotiations. i wish more details had been included about Mr. Nabokov's infidelities...only because i am voyeuristic and a chump for salacious details.
Jan 08, 2012
This is so good! A friend lent it to me years ago (thank you Christina) and it has been on my bedside table. Now I am into it, and I can't put it down. I want to read all of Shiff's biographies right now. I am jealous of how she writes - it is beautiful. Hard to get to this book as much as I would like to these days.
Sep 07, 2009
Stephanie
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Stacy Schiff is a gifted writer and biographer. I enjoyed the intimate, comprehensive view into the life of Vladimir and Vera Nabokov. Theirs was a complicated, deep, nuanced love, and I'm so glad that I never had to challenge them in a game of Scrabble. It would have been bloody (in their favor).
Mar 20, 2008
Hadley
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A rich love story of epic proportions. Vera's story is both of a strong, spirited woman and of a devoted, loving wife. The author is unafraid to reveal the complexities of their marriage. An honest look at the many layers that made up the life and love of Vera and Vladimir Nabokov.
May 20, 2008
Kay
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I hate that the review above states that the author's prose "nearly matches Nabokov". This book is ok, but I think it would have been better if an editor had convinced the author to stop trying to write as cleverly as adorably as Nabokov. stop stop stop.
Aug 12, 2011
Mo
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I really liked this book apart from a short section that details VN's alleged and unlikely affair with a young student at Wellesley who reportedly said, "I thought I was going to take a course on Russian Literature, I ended up taking a course on Vladimir Nabokov."
Mar 27, 2008
dead letter office
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there's a part in here where she says, to her husband's publisher, something to the effect of 'my dear george, would it not be possible for you to somehow get organized?'
that's the same thing i always say to myself! except i begin, 'my dear dylan...'
that's the same thing i always say to myself! except i begin, 'my dear dylan...'
May 05, 2011
Alison
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I am such a nerd with my history/biography reading but I really loved the background this book provided about the man and the woman behind the man. They were mad for each other... though she was kind of craggy. Very interesting.
Jun 18, 2011
Tara
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Stacy Schiff is a good writer but ugh! I didn't care about either of these people. On and on and on about his writing and her editing. There was no love story here. I was glad when they died.
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Jan 25, 2011
Hope
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I loved this book. It is so well written. I had only read "Lolita", but now am going back to look at Sebastian Knight.
Jan 05, 2010
Adam
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Lots of great information. But what a bore to read. And I couldn't help thinking to myself: sure, it's called Vera, but it's really a biography of Vladimir. Couldn't quite finish this one.
Oct 01, 2008
Christina
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Awesome behind the scenes look at Vera and Vlad's life together. Much better than I had anticipated. Taught me things I hadn't even read in Strong Opinions and other VN bio's.
Nov 21, 2011
Jonelle
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Interesting book about Vera Nabokov, wife and literary partner/agent of Vladimir Nabokov. Her life's story and the portrait of their marriage was fascinating.
Nov 26, 2007
Nona
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One of the most delicious, interesting and heart rendering love stories. Quotes and passages will stay with me forever.
