Rick Hodges answers “Does anyone have a preferred order to read...”

Cat asked this question about Pale Fire:

Does anyone have a preferred order to read this in? I plan on reading the sections in order, but I did wonder how the experience would change if you read in the order Kinbote suggests - intro, commentary, and then the poem. Or flipped from poem to commentary as you go. Thoughts?

Rick Hodges I think the author intended it to be read in order because the necessary information is revealed in order. Nabakov even ordered certain elements alpha…moreI think the author intended it to be read in order because the necessary information is revealed in order. Nabakov even ordered certain elements alphabetically so that the would be revealed that way while reading the index. It's why the "distant land" of Zembla starts with a Z, for instance.(less)

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