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Nov 30, 2011
Elizabeth (Alaska)
rated it
liked it
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review of another edition
Shelves:
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On the back cover of my addition a reviewer is said to think this "hilarious." Well, I'm unlikely to ever think any book "hilarious." I might occasionally laugh out loud, but not hilarious. The first 15 or so pages were somewhat amusing, but not even laugh out loud funny, which was fine with me.
Pnin is all characterization and no plot. It is a wonderful characterization, make no mistake. He's a little fuss budget type of person, all logic and little imagination. And lonely. At first I found Nabo ...more
Pnin is all characterization and no plot. It is a wonderful characterization, make no mistake. He's a little fuss budget type of person, all logic and little imagination. And lonely. At first I found Nabo ...more
I recently read an essay on cancel culture. Its essential point was that exile from one's tribe was for most of human history considered worse than death. But in the view of those who would cancel at the drop of an ill-considered remark, losing one's job (exile from a career, exile from a way of life) is a trivial thing. "Oh, he'll find other work." Well, it's not quite that easy, as Nabokov's Pnin brilliantly and hilariously illustrates.
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I love this book. I'm a huge sucker for anything Nabokov has ever written, which is why my three stars is confusing. I really do love this book, and Pnin, who is one of the most sympathetic characters I have ever encountered. It's a pretty book, with Nabokov's verbal embellishments aplenty, but I felt like something was lacking. Don't get me wrong, I laughed at Pnin's antics and felt depressed when absolutely nothing went right, but for some reason, as much as I like the book, it also aggravates
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I had high hopes but unfortunately, I just couldn't like this. The beginning scene which I think was intended to be a comedic affair actually stressed me out and that basically sets the tone of the novella for me. I feel sorry for him though he doesn't really need my pity. And while it highlights that we just can't get along with everyone, it really irks me that people who disliked him took advantage of him and he lets them!
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Poor Tim. This was a quick read. Nabokov's controlled language created quite the characterization of this quirky professor. I enjoyed the experience, but do not feel compelled to learn any more about our unfortunate hero...
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Had its funny moments but I was a little disappointed. I've much preferred other books of his.
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Mar 01, 2010
Celeste
marked it as to-read
Dec 16, 2011
Deedee
marked it as to-read
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review of another edition
Shelves:
classics,
immigrants,
year-1957,
title-has-1-word,
n,
color-gray,
guardian-list-unread,
rws-reading-1001
Feb 20, 2015
Lindsay
marked it as to-read
Feb 17, 2016
Denise
marked it as to-read
Jun 20, 2016
Dana Arbelaez
marked it as to-read
Jan 18, 2018
Forreste
marked it as to-read
May 29, 2020
Nick
marked it as to-read
Dec 05, 2022
Meghan
marked it as to-read
Aug 23, 2024
Read Between The Lines
marked it as to-read
