Reviews

The Eye by Vladimir Nabokov, Dmitri Nabokov

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schenkelberg's review against another edition

4.0

Plucked this from a library shelf after finding, to my frustration, that there was not a single Murakami title in stock. Regardless, after I started The Eye I was far from disappointed. This book is brilliant, clear evidence of the remarkable career that Nabakov was just beginning when this title was published. The book is obsessed with self-image, and its cycles of reflexivity reach points of remarkable beauty. The protagonist is obsessed with the character of Smurov, and tries to pull through the tangled and multitudinous portraits and identities, as Nabokov speculates about the social nature of personal identity.
One of the most striking passages is when the protagonist intercepts a letter written by Roman Bogdanovich, ripping it open on a train as he desperately hopes to learn Roman's opinion on Smurov."I paused and looked up at a milk chocolate advertisement with lilac alps. This was my last chance to renounce penetrating into the secret of Smurov's immortality. What did I care if this letter would indeed travel across a remote mountain pass into the next century, whose very designtion - a two and three zeros - is so fantastic as to seem absurd?"
The protagonist is staring directly at the reader at this point, following the pointing hand of Vladimir Nabokov who, for the moment, has stepped in for Roman Bogdanovich. We can stare back, too, but in the same manner as he - through this mirror built by Roman's (Nabokov's) letter intended to cross the mountains.

caliesha's review against another edition

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4.0

I alone do not exist. Smurov, however, will live on for a long time.

I love u Russian lit <3 Definitely superior to [b:Lolita|7604|Lolita|Vladimir Nabokov|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1377756377l/7604._SY75_.jpg|1268631]. Not sure what these authors are on but I'm obsessed with the most cynical man in the world suddenly becoming idealistic for the last 2 pages of every Russian lit novel.

dzia's review against another edition

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challenging funny fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

unreliable narrator my one true love, also they should have fucked

mercm's review against another edition

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mysterious reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

ducdebunbury's review against another edition

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5.0

this confession has meant nothing

hemloc's review

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5.0

Five reasons to read The Eye:

1) It's funny. I wouldn't have expected that given what I've heard about this author, but right from the forward he establishes himself as someone with a sense of humour, and that humour makes the story and characters all the more memorable.

2) I really like that the foreword is written by the author some 30 years after he wrote the story. It creates a sense of intimacy.

3) The writing is so vibrant! I've grown wary of early 20th century authors because many seem to favour a writing style I can't get behind, but I love the style in this book. It paints the characters is vivid ways and easily weaves in the sense of place and time without overdoing it.

4) I love an unreliable narrator.

5) The story has a point to make and makes it well. It gives the plot a driving force that is often missing from fiction, and makes the whole story feel cohesive. It's a great exploration of the self and the versions of ourselves that live in the minds of others.

One drawback to The Eye:

1) A lot of characters are introduced at the same time, and it's difficult during that introduction to keep track of them all.