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Pale Fire

Vladimir Nabokov

Start date: February 1, 2021

Finish date: February 28, 2021

Discussion: Group Reads

Why we're reading this: February 2021 Completist Selection
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What Members Thought

Jan 05, 2022 Matthew rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: completist-book-club, classic, 2021, library

There is brilliance in madness.

I have never quite read a book like this one. It was a bit difficult to follow and stay interested in (as evidenced in the fact that it is only 300 pages but took me about 9 months to read. But, at the same time, I enjoyed it, its themes, and its symbolism quite a lot. I think this is one that can benefit from doing some side research and interpretation while you are reading it.

The book is written as if it is a true story and the author (Charles Kinbote) is a biogr ...more

58 likes · Like · see review

Aug 01, 2017 Jason rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: own, favorites

A Zemblan nesting doll* of a novel.

*Much like it's Russian counterpart in that the primary feature is that dolls of descending size fit into one another, but unlike the Russian counterpart the Zemblan variety are tasteful and portray virile male youths.

I am going to abstain from composing this review in rhyming verse, though it is almost irresistible, largely due to the fact that I know I would bungle it up - a bit of a Gradus in that way.

This deceptive and fun novel has at it's heart a poem co A Zemblan nesting doll* of a novel.

*Much like it's Russian counterpart in that the primary feature is that dolls of descending size fit into one another, but unlike the Russian counterpart the Zemblan variety are tasteful and portray virile male youths.

I am going to abstain from composing this review in rhyming verse, though it is almost irresistible, largely due to the fact that I know I would bungle it up - a bit of a Gradus in that way.

This deceptive and fun novel has at it's heart a poem consisting of four cantos and totaling 999 lines. The poem itself is a lovely autobiographical piece written by the character John Shade, who as it turns out is not the true protagonist of the novel. The real protagonist is not this well-loved and much lauded poet, but an acquaintance/neighbor of his, one Charles Kinbote, that gets the rights to publish the poem along with his extensive commentary. The Foreward and Commentary, penned by the Kinbote character, is not as readily enjoyable and takes a bit longer to figure out what exactly is going on - this is not a straight-forward affair. What is quickly discernible is that Kinbote has little intention of sticking to the poem and instead wants to focus on topics important to him, namely his homeland of Zembla, the ousting of its' monarch, and of coarse himself. There is occasionally some commentary that is directly relevant to the poem, but it is perfunctory and seems like off-base interpretation or is even denigrating. The real story behind the story (as far as Kinbote is concerned) evolves and reveals itself through the commentary. That story is one of intrigue and is much less relate-able, but is a fun puzzle.

There is plenty one can take away - commentary of commentary and critics in general, the world of literature, blah blah blah - the layers are too much for my puny lump of grey matter, but I did enjoy this tricky piece and look forward to giving a reread before long. This is one extremely clever book, almost too clever at times, but you can tell that Nabokov must have had a blast writing it. A hearty - Hoorah!

...more

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Jan 16, 2015 Suzan (Suus Leest) rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Originally posted on my blog

I don’t like writing reviews about novels that disappointed me greatly. That’s why this review will be short.

The premise is interesting: There’s a poem, but the real novel actually consists of the commentary written by someone other than the poet.

Then you start reading the poem. It’s quite interesting and follows the author’s thoughts about his recently lost daughter. After a while, though, you start to wonder whether you should perhaps flip back and forth, between th ...more

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Mar 02, 2021 Liane rated it really liked it

Shelves: x-2021

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Oct 12, 2013 Simone rated it really liked it · review of another edition

It grows on you after you start reading a few of the notes, which have nothing and everything to do with the poem, at the same time. You start unveiling the character of the poet and of the commentator. The moment of realisation was a lot of fun for me, and the wrap-up had a bitter-sweet sense to it.

1 like · Like · see review