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asabeck's review against another edition
3.0
I reallyyy wanted to love this but just… didn’t? The prose was amazingly crafted and the concept very original, but honestly I wasn’t engaged with the characters at all.
Kinbote’s lengthy ramblings about tales of ‘Zembla’ didn’t interest me at all. Maybe this is what Nabokov intended, this novel being a satire in a way, but it doesn’t make the reading any more enjoyable. In ways I found similarities between Kinbote’s character and Ignatius O’Reilly in Toole’s ‘A Confederacy of Dunces’, in that everything about them is a parody of themselves, nihilistic, ignorant and delusional. However, I can’t help but find Kinbote’s character lacks in engagement for me where Ignatius’ character succeeded, I don’t know why. Probably because I DIDN’T CARE ABOUT ZEMBLA
Nabokov succeeds in lots of areas in this novel, such as its creativeness and very well written prose, but some of its shine was lost through a not very engaging narrator. 3.5 stars, but gave it 3 because I’m feeling mean today, sorry Nabokov
Kinbote’s lengthy ramblings about tales of ‘Zembla’ didn’t interest me at all. Maybe this is what Nabokov intended, this novel being a satire in a way, but it doesn’t make the reading any more enjoyable. In ways I found similarities between Kinbote’s character and Ignatius O’Reilly in Toole’s ‘A Confederacy of Dunces’, in that everything about them is a parody of themselves, nihilistic, ignorant and delusional. However, I can’t help but find Kinbote’s character lacks in engagement for me where Ignatius’ character succeeded, I don’t know why. Probably because I DIDN’T CARE ABOUT ZEMBLA
Nabokov succeeds in lots of areas in this novel, such as its creativeness and very well written prose, but some of its shine was lost through a not very engaging narrator. 3.5 stars, but gave it 3 because I’m feeling mean today, sorry Nabokov
traveltounravel's review against another edition
Nabokov was a genius. Which made this book difficult to read for about ⅔ of the story as it is unlike any other. The 999-line poem composed of four cantos is remarkable... but then its beauty is essentially made into a farce through a two-hundred page commentary by the poet’s acquaintance, Kinbote, who is either the former King of Zembla, a mad professor, or perhaps the poet himself. Regardless — his interpretation of the poem is far-stretching, seeking to place further meaning in the lines of the poem so that his story fits into the cantos. The commentary goes completely off the rails, where I was often lost in the narrative because it becomes so unhinged from reality that I would lose sight of what the fuck was happening. Nabokov’s writing is unparalleled… but overall, I can’t help but feel it transforms into a very long-winded joke to poke fun at those who attempt to interpret a writer’s work too intently as our own emotions and biases get in the way of the truth as we’re constantly looking for deeper meaning — trying to place our stories into theirs. It reminds me of Kaufman’s “Adaptation” where he’s expected to inject more exciting details into the story than what is actually there in the book “The Orchid Thief” where the movie becomes increasingly ridiculous the more he attempts to follow Hollywood’s guidelines.
So it's genius, unique, imaginative... but I didn't really enjoy most of it aside from the cantos and the story structure.
“There was a time in my demented youth
When somehow I suspected that the truth
About survival after death was known
To every human being: I alone
Knew nothing, and a great conspiracy
Of books and people hid the truth from me.”
So it's genius, unique, imaginative... but I didn't really enjoy most of it aside from the cantos and the story structure.
“There was a time in my demented youth
When somehow I suspected that the truth
About survival after death was known
To every human being: I alone
Knew nothing, and a great conspiracy
Of books and people hid the truth from me.”
samuli47's review against another edition
5.0
Nabokov was a linguistic contortionist and probably batshit crazy. This is without a doubt the most unique and creative and challenging and rewarding book I’ve ever read, something I’ll think about for the rest of my life
dennisfischman's review against another edition
2.0
Even though this novel glittered with wordplay and allusion and puzzled the reader with layers of deception, it was a slog. The unreliable narrator is an unlikable person as well. I marvel that the poet whose work he is supposedly commenting on could stand his company. I give credit to Mrs. Shade for seeing through him, at least until the end. He bears a family resemblance to Humbert Humbert of [b:Lolita|7604|Lolita|Vladimir Nabokov|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1377756377s/7604.jpg|1268631] except that he is not as truly wounded by the lack of sympathy of an unfeeling world as the pedophile seemed to be. No, I think Charles Kinbote, whoever he may be, knows very well why people consider him a fraud. It's not clear to me why he keeps it up, and blaming mental illness is a convenient alibi.
I'm glad I read this book, and I shall never read it again.
I'm glad I read this book, and I shall never read it again.
spencer61692's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
I am too stupid for this book but I’m happy I finished it haha
xcblackdiamond's review against another edition
4.0
Lives up to the hype, but I'm a tad too dumb to fully appreciate it. It was a really enriching reading experience, though. The prose was excellent, and the narrative structure was consistently fascinating. The poem of Pale Fire is also just amazing and among the best poetry I've read.
If I had gotten a better grasp on the purpose the characters were serving, and how they related to the story more specifically, earlier, I would've had better context to understand lots of things. Since pieces fell into place like 80% in, I did not have that luxury, hence my opening statement. But still, I got it all well enough, and it was a great read.
If I had gotten a better grasp on the purpose the characters were serving, and how they related to the story more specifically, earlier, I would've had better context to understand lots of things. Since pieces fell into place like 80% in, I did not have that luxury, hence my opening statement. But still, I got it all well enough, and it was a great read.
antiheroine's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0