Hey thanks for the recommendation here, a quick two day read for late July. Let’s plan to unpack that ending sometime!
There is something very light, plaintive and romantic in this writing style that just has it flying off the page. Ganin’s housemates mocking him as a ‘Bolshevik’ is a fairly heavy dose of symbolism/ satire.
Agree with your take about recreating the past, Mary = Russia
This was great. Even as a young man, Nabokov was writing about the past.
I remember the subtitle from a BBC interview with Nabokov in Montreux in the 60s. He's describing his new novel (maybe Ada?) and says it's about "the texture of time," drawing the phrase out, with his funny pronunciation. I wonder if you've seen the same clip or whether he used this phrase in writing somewhere?
Thanks--I just read yours! That's a great point that in his first book he was already looking back. And yes, much of the stuff from his first half is vaguely autobiographical--especially the stories. As for his bullying critical eye, I love it and wish we had more of it nowadays. Even if one doesn't agree with his judgments, he was never shy about making them. I love the collection Strong Opinions as well as his letters.
"The texture of time" comes from Ada--it's a lecture embedded in the novel. But, alas, that's one of the two or three I haven't yet read. But I will!
R Poirier reviewed Harlequins for the Times back in the day. I recall only that he comments on Nabokov's "splendid disdain" for Freudianism--great phrase.
Hey thanks for the recommendation here, a quick two day read for late July. Let’s plan to unpack that ending sometime!
There is something very light, plaintive and romantic in this writing style that just has it flying off the page. Ganin’s housemates mocking him as a ‘Bolshevik’ is a fairly heavy dose of symbolism/ satire.
Agree with your take about recreating the past, Mary = Russia
Thanks for reading! (I’d comment on the ending, but don’t know if you’ve finished it.)
Indeed I have, quite unexpected!
This was great. Even as a young man, Nabokov was writing about the past.
I remember the subtitle from a BBC interview with Nabokov in Montreux in the 60s. He's describing his new novel (maybe Ada?) and says it's about "the texture of time," drawing the phrase out, with his funny pronunciation. I wonder if you've seen the same clip or whether he used this phrase in writing somewhere?
Anyway, enjoyed this piece. I read and liked Mary not long ago and wrote about it here as well - https://lastyearssnow.substack.com/p/nabokovs-first-novel-mary
Thanks--I just read yours! That's a great point that in his first book he was already looking back. And yes, much of the stuff from his first half is vaguely autobiographical--especially the stories. As for his bullying critical eye, I love it and wish we had more of it nowadays. Even if one doesn't agree with his judgments, he was never shy about making them. I love the collection Strong Opinions as well as his letters.
"The texture of time" comes from Ada--it's a lecture embedded in the novel. But, alas, that's one of the two or three I haven't yet read. But I will!
Ah I see – I'll have to finish Ada some day.
This is the BBC special if it's of interest. N. is charming in his sort of embarrassing-uncle way: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8OwyqvSh2g
Dan, excellent article! Mary is now on my reading list. I also loved your article about reading Ulysses with the Catherine Project.
Thanks, Joe Hyman
Thanks for reading and commenting!
I read the book forty years ago. Thanks for helping me drag it from the depths!
Thanks for reading the post! That novel was such a pleasant surprise. Now I’m reading the final one.
R Poirier reviewed Harlequins for the Times back in the day. I recall only that he comments on Nabokov's "splendid disdain" for Freudianism--great phrase.