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Many themes recur in Nabokov's work. One of the most frequent is the use of fallible narrators and layered levels of implicit plot. This article is decidedly N
by lenazegher 14y ago
Many themes recur in Nabokov's work. One of the most frequent is the use of fallible narrators and layered levels of implicit plot.
This article is decidedly Nabokov-esque: the author feigns ignorance of the connection between describing a movie in perfect detail to Nabokov and then being hired to review movies. It's not a million miles away from the sort of gaff Charles Kinbote might make [1].
Incidentally, I think Pale Fire might appeal to much of the HN crowd. It's frequently read as a dense, finely-wrought mechanical puzzle that might appeal to the coder mindset.
Like Nabokov, I'm also a big fan of writing under pseudonyms. It's a very freeing experience.
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pale_Fire http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pale_Fire
Edit: if you like puzzles, it might be better not to spoil the fun by reading the wikipedia article (or indeed any review, or the dust jacket of the book). It would be better to buy the book, start with the foreword by C. Kinbote and read through to the end of the index.
- acabal 14y agoPale Fire is my favorite book of all time. I have a braingasm every time I read it. I first read it as part of a class back in my university days, and it's definitely hard to grasp the incredible intricacy, detail, and even humor in every page without having someone to help guide you in your first reading. A lot of my friends I recommended it too were put off by Kinbote's (seemingly) random meanderings. Having said that though, I highly recommend it to anyone here with even a passing interest in literature. There's a huge corpus of analysis of Pale Fire online, and if you plan to read the novel I highly recommend you simultaneously read one of them. Don't worry too much about spoilers, the beauty of the book is mostly outside of the plot and I think having a guide to help is a benefit to sacrifice for. It's also perfect for e-readers, because you can just use hyperlinks instead of flipping back and forth between footnotes. If anyone wants help with it drop me a line :)
- bdr 14y agoE-reader? Psh, just buy two copies. ;) Have you read any of Brian Boyd's work? I think you'd really like this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0691089574/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0691089574&linkCode=as2&tag=a01f63-20 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0691089574/ref=as_li_ss_tl?...
- zem 14y agoi kept one copy open on my monitor while i read the other on my kindle. far nicer than flipping.
- jfb 14y agoIt also inspired perhaps the greatest review ever written [1]. [1] http://innerlea.com/aulit/paleFire/notes/mccarthy.html http://innerlea.com/aulit/paleFire/notes/mccarthy.html
- bdr 14y agoGreat point! if you like puzzles, it might be better not to spoil the fun by reading the wikipedia article Yes please. It's absolutely better that way — the most fun book I've ever read. Just pick it up and start reading.