Vladimir Nabokov (1899-1977) - Russian and American writer, as well as a literary critic and translator. He was educated in England. All his life Nabokov surprised people with contradictory features in his character, unique hobbies (he loved to collect butterflies and composed chess problems) and, of course, scandalous novels.
It is best to start acquaintance with the author with small stories or short stories, such as “Signs and Symbols”, “Scoundrel”, “Circle”, etc. Romanov Nabokov “Mashenka”, “Gift”, “Invitation to Execution” are very deep , and those who are new to Vladimir Nabokov, it is better to postpone them until better times.
In this article you will learn about the most famous works of Nabokov. Readers can be advised to try to find their meaning in the works, rather than trying to understand what the author himself wanted to say.
10. Gift
«Gift"1938 - this is the last Russian novel by Vladimir Nabokov, which can rightfully be called the peak of the Russian-speaking period of his work and one of the masterpieces of literature of the twentieth century. Nabokov writes amazingly, as if he were an artist who paints every element in his picture.
The novel tells about the creative formation of Fedor Godunov-Cherdyntsev - a young emigrant writer. He feels his penchant for literary activity, he is bored of spending time with emigrants, the only person who is interested in Fedor is the poet Koncheev. With him, he leads an internal dialogue "in the language of imagination."
The autobiographical book “Gift” deals with the most important topics that Nabokov often touches on in his works: the mysteries of the true gift, the idea of immortality, the fate of Russian literature, etc.
9. King, Queen, Jack
«King, queen, jack"- one of the first novels by Nabokov, which was written in 1928. Vladimir Nabokov masterfully depicts the atmosphere in his work, while reading, some vague images emerge: blurry, colored, there is a feeling of madness and even some fever.
In the intricacies of a love-criminal intrigue, the fate of a bored woman is shuffled like playing cards (the beginning of the 19th century - a woman wants to love, rejoice, live, and the war has recently ended), her husband, a successful Berlin businessman and his provincial half-waking nephew.
Three heroes are just puppets of a merciless event ...
8. Masha
«Masha"- the first novel by Vladimir Nabokov, written in 1926. The author wrote a novel during his emigration, which carries biographical motifs, since Nabokov missed his homeland, and he was eaten by sadness at home.
Reading his work, comes the realization that you need to live in the present, and the past can not be returned.
The work "Mashenka" is a book about memories, about the whimsical interweaving of life patterns of the present and the past ... About a magnificent event - the first love story of a Russian emigrant living in Berlin - Lev Ganin.
The novel, whose actions cover the events of six days, with a small number of characters, acquires semantic depth thanks to the strong memory of Lev Ganin (and the author himself).
7. Pnin
Of all the novels by Vladimir Nabokov, "Pnin"(Less known than, for example," Lolita ") seems the most ridiculous.
“Pnin” is a “challenge to Cervantes.” The novel was written in English in the United States and published by a book in 1957.
The reader, picking up the book “Pnin,” will meet Timofei Pavlovich Pnin, an emigrant professor from Russia. The protagonist of the book is a weird, absurd, touching - a kind of Don Quixote, who lives in Wendel - a campus.
Gradually, he reveals himself to the readers as a multifaceted and complex person, in whose fate a wide variety of moments united: tragic, happy, whose life, like the life of any person, forms a bizarre mixture of unimaginable charm and eternal sadness ...
6. Pale fire
AntiromanPale fire"Was written in English, and was first published in 1962. The extravagant work of Vladimir Nabokov does not lend itself to any traditional genre designation (some critics call it the “anti-novel”).
The work "Pale Fire" is difficult to understand. The author himself spoke of his work: “I think that “Pale Fire” is a simple novel. A man is revealed most clearly in his creative work, which brings him joy and satisfaction. Here, the poet reveals himself in his poem, and the commentator in the commentary ... I hope some of the readers notice the highlight - there are a lot of them. ”
This book by Nabokov is more fun than others. But if you are not familiar with the author, then it is better to postpone this technically virtuoso and complex book for later, and start reading with Nabokov’s works that are easier to understand.
5. Under the sign of illegitimate
An English-language work by Nabokov was written in the USA in 1947. As always, the author managed to create a fascinating world in which reality and imagination intertwine.
The story of the work unfolds in a police state led by the dictator Paduk. The party of “equalizers” rules in it.
In the center of the storyUnder the sign of illegitimate"- Adam Krug, a philosopher" at the hearing ", once Paduku classmate. As a child, Adam Circle mocked him.
Trying to obtain official support from Adam for his rule, the dictator Paduk arrests all his comrades, but only a breakup with his beloved little son, David, can break the philosopher.
4. Luzhin's defense
Work on the novel "Luzhin's defense»Nabokov began in 1929 in Le Boulou. In 1929-1930, he published it under the pseudonym V. Sirin in the journal "Modern Notes", and then followed by a separate book in the publishing house "Word".
"Luzhin's Defense" is one of V. Nabokov's most famous novels. At the center of the story is the life of Luzhin, an autistic boy who plays chess with trowels. His life at school is hell, and the boy finds his salvation in a chess game. He grows up as the strongest chess player ... Luzhin lives from tournament to tournament, the end to history is very sad ...
Interesting fact: in the image of Luzhin, the traits of Nabokov's friend, Kurt Von Bardeleben, slip through.
3. Pinhole camera
«Pinhole camera"Was written by Nabokov in 1931, revised and named"Laughter in the dark"In 1938. The novel resembles Lolita."
The main characters of the novel are involved in the intricacies of love affairs, in the element of betrayal and passion.
The Obscura Camera is astonishing at how everything is presented - the uncomplicated story of love, betrayal and the love triangle has already been described in books many times, but the story of V. Nabokov is read with great interest, even, one might say, excitedly.
He masterfully describes every event that stands before his eyes, like a living picture. Descriptions of the characters of the heroes, their feelings pass through the soul of the reader. It is impossible to express in words how the work is saturated with realism and life.
2. Invitation to execution
Date of writing of the novel "Invitation to the Execution": Circa 1935-1936. It was first published in" Modern Notes "(Paris magazine), and in 1938 the novel came out as a separate book in the Paris edition of the Book House.
The 30-year-old teacher Tsincinat Ts. Is accused of “epistemological stupidity”, for which he was sentenced to death. For 19 days he keeps a diary, surrounded by the walls of the prison, executioners, a lawyer and his loved ones.
For him, the day of execution becomes a liberation from the hassle: Cincinnatus leaves the scaffold and, watching the destruction through the fictitious world, goes to the side, "where, judging by the voices, there were beings like him ”…
1. Lolita
«Lolita"- the most famous scandalous work of Vladimir Nabokov, which brought the author world fame and material well-being. He considered his work the ultimate achievement - a serious book written with serious goals.
Mr. Humbert, 37, writes a confession while in prison. An adult male was inclined to be attracted to pretty girls of 9-12 years old.
"Lolita" tells the story of the sad fate of a child - an ordinary little girl captured by a heartless man. For most readers, Humbert remained a dubious hero, and Lolita - a lovely nymph.