Spotlight on Nabokov, 2013 - Description, Questions, and Resources

[Jim]

Spotlight on Nabokov will feature five of his novels, a memoir, and a book of lectures on classic western literature. Born in Russia in 1899, Vladimir Nabokov came from a wealthy family in Saint Petersburg. Nabokov was multi-lingual from an early age and was fluent in Russian, English, and French. A general overview of his life and work can be found on this Wikipedia page:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimi...

We will be reading the following books:

Invitation to a Beheading, 1936 – July 8 – 21. Originally written in Russian, this novel follows the trial of Cincinnatus C. who is sentenced to death by beheading for the crime of “gnostical turpitude”.

Lolita, 1955 – July 22 – August 11. This is the notorious novel that put Nabokov on the map. An expatriate professor falls madly in love with a 13 year-old girl and ends up on a perilous road trip to hell as he descends into the madness of his obsession.

Pnin, 1957 – August 12 – 25. The story of a foreign professor of Russian at an American university and the comedy of errors and intrigues that plague him.

Lectures on Literature, 1980 – August 19 – October 6. A posthumously published collection of seven lectures delivered during his tenure as professor at several American universities. These lectures cover: Mansfield Park, Bleak House, Madame Bovary, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Swann’s Way, The Metamorphosis (Kafka), and Ulysses. While time does not permit us to read these novels, please feel free to join in the discussions for novels you have read or are interested in reading.

Pale Fire, 1962 – August 26 – September 15. A marvelous work of prose and poetry that defies simple description. This book shows Nabokov at the height of his powers as a writer.

Speak, Memory: An Autobiography Revisited, 1967 – September 16 – October 6. Nabokov’s autobiography, first released in 1951 as Conclusive Evidence, in 1966 he greatly revised the book and released the new version as Speak, Memory.

Ada, or Ardor: A Family Chronicle, 1969 – October 7 – November 10. Written near the end of his career, this is Nabokov’s longest work. Although the initial reception was mixed, many look at this novel as one of his greatest works.



Feel free to use this thread to ask questions or post links to resources about Nabokov and his work.

[Barbara]

Hi Jim,

Is there a specific paperback edition of Lolita that you suggest for the group read? I am still having issues with my Nook, so I'm going to pick up a trade paperback edition at Barnes & Noble. I'm guessing there are a few editions out there, so I'm wondering which one the rest of the group is reading.

Thanks!!

[Jim]

Barbara wrote: "Hi Jim,

Is there a specific paperback edition of Lolita that you suggest for the group read? I am still having issues with my Nook, so I'm going to pick up a trade paperback edition at Barnes & No..."

Editions shouldn't matter with Nabovkov, since he wrote it in English. One suggestion is to find an edition that includes Nabokov's essay "On a Book Entitled Lolita" The essay is at the end and should be read after you finish the book. We can include the essay in our final discussion. I have this Vintage International edition: Lolita


Also SUPER IMPORTANT!! Be sure to read the Foreword. It was written by Nabokov and is signed by a fictitious author, John Ray, Jr., Ph.D. This Foreword is critical to the emotional set-up of the book and should not be skipped.

[Barbara]

Thanks for the info on Nabokov's essay at the end, and on the Foreword by a fictitious author. (And thanks for telling me he's a fictitious author!! Seriously -- sometimes it takes me a while to figure these things out!!)

You have the 50th Anniversary edition (according to your link), so I'll see if this is still available. If not, I'll just make sure the Forward and the essay at the end is in the edition I get.

Yay! I'm finally starting a book along with the rest of the group!! (It's been a while!) I am LOVING 1Q84, but I'm only up to page 500 so I haven't been able to join in with the group discussion. (If you recall, I wasn't able to start reading it until around three or more weeks after you guys started).

Now I'm going to put 1Q84 down for a couple of weeks so I can read Lolita.

[Jim]

Barbara wrote: "Thanks for the info on Nabokov's essay at the end, and on the Foreword by a fictitious author. (And thanks for telling me he's a fictitious author!! Seriously -- sometimes it takes me a while to fi..."

Some things to pay attention to:

Any mentions of Humbert's childhood, parenting, and his first love. These issues define Humbert and are key to understanding his actions and motives in pursuing Lolita.

Any mentions of his former experiences with psychiatrists.

When we are discussing Lolita as a whole, these issues will help us see Humbert in a deeper, more sympathetic light.

[Barbara]

Thanks Jim!

I started reading Lolita last night. I can see how the issues you mentioned above (Message 5 in this thread) will help us see Humbert in a sympathetic light.

I'm looking forward to the discussion here.

[Mekki]

Yes, thanks for the forward tip.

I sometimes skip the forward because of spoilers.