Nabokov: Novels 1955-1962: Lolita / Pnin / Pale Fire (Library of America)

Any Nabokov novel is far above even the best work of most other authors, and the three novels here, in my opinion, are his three best. I know a lot of people do not consider Pnin to be one of Nabokov's better novels, but I strongly disagree.Lolita: What is there to say? The debate of Nabokov's masterpiece seems to be between Lolita and Pale Fire. I vote for Lolita. In my opinion, it's not only Nabokov's best, but possibly the best novel of the 20th century. The plot line on the surface is actually very easy to follow: everyone knows it's about a pedophile named Humbert Humbert who travels around the states with Dolores Haze, "Lolita" to him, and that he is in love with her. However, simply focusing on the basic plot line does this novel an injustice. As another reviewer pointed out regarding another Nabokov connection, you get out of his novels exactly what you put into them. You can read it simply as a story, and not bother with the French or looking up the references. I recommend reading it as it is on the first run, and then getting an annotated edition. You'll be amazed how much you missed. The ending scene with quality may be my favorite scene in any novel. Highly recommended.Pnin: Graham Greene, in his six word review, describes this novel better than I ever could: "Hilariously funny and of a sadness." Timofey Pnin is a brilliant man that you will at first laugh at, but in a pitying sort of way. As a character he is slightly pathetic, but you will feel sorry for him. I think this may be Nabokov's funniest novel, and is one of my favorites.Pale Fire: This novel is set up in a very clever way. We are introduced, by Charles Kinbote, to a poem called Pale Fire, which was written by his friend John Shade soon before his death. We then get to read the thirty or forty page poem, and following this is Kinbote's interpretation of the poem. It soon becomes apparent, however, that Kinbote has no idea what he's talking about. Pale Fire is a funny and devilishly clever novel.Lolita Screenplay: Not quite essential, but it's interesting to see how Nabokov translates his novel into film. It's also worth noting that Kubrick, the director of the film, hardly followed it at all.If you have even the slightest interest in Nabokov, you owe it to yourself to get this collection.

Nabokov was like Conrad, a stranger from a distant land who ended up being among the best stylists in English of their age.This collection includes my favorite work by Nabokov: Pale Fire. Waft this beneath the nose of any person with a Masters in English who has fainted and you will revive her/im. It is in every way a perfect send up of scholarly criticism and only the Pooh Perplex approaches it in wit. I have only once written a paper with more footnotes than text: it was not a sight to behold.For the other works here, you've either heard about Lo or seen a version of it. In written form, it is a masterpiece of voice.Pnin draws much on Nabokov's own life, an emigre leaving Russia and fleeing Hitler and turning academic, achieving some measures of success and happiness but who then lights out for new territories.Not to be ignored is Library of America that has drawn together many important works of great American writers. They have put these folk on good paper (acid free) between good boards (quality binding) so something of value will last.Good works, good writers, good intentions....good reading

I'm reviewing the product, not the content. The content is subjective--plenty of people review Nabokov. The product, however, is top notch. The paper (yes, paper matters) is magnificent and has the perfect texture and weight--there is no bleeding or transparency to deal with. The font size is exactly on par for my old, tired eyes. The book is also the right weight--you will not get tired holding it so kudos to LoA for finding the right balance. Is it more expensive than other choices? Yes. Is it worth the extra few bucks? Definitely.

The decision to put together these 3 novels (Pnin, Pale Fire, Lolita) plus the Lolita screenplay was inspired. The novels have definitely stood the test of time. This volume also includes Notes at the end of the volume that explain and clarify many of Nabokov's allusions and word plays. The Chronology of Nabokov's life is also very instructive and helpful. In short, a must have for anyone who loves American literature.

I loved the book. It appears virtually new, in a nice slip in book binder.

I taught language and literature for more than three decades. I think I have decent judgment when it comes to good versus great writing. I always thought Nabokov was overrated. My recent study of this volume bears that out. I suspect that he was miserable as a teacher, and it’s a documented fact that his wife pulled his irons out of the fire by inflating his low grades. I’d be hard put to rate his literary output as anything other than mediocre. If you disagree please tell me what I am missing. I don’t think there ever was a Slavic male intellectual who didn’t consider himself the envy of humankind and the wonder of the ages.

I have found Nabokov late in life. (I am in my sixties) I asked people at work (I am a high school English teacher) if they had read Nabokov and many of them had. I asked them why they hadn't told me about what a great writer he was. They hung their heads in shame. At least read "Lolita."

Nabokov's the best of a unique, trans-Atlantic generation. Read Pnin first, Lolita second. This man is a stylist apart from all other prose stylists, but he DOES take getting used to -- an aristocratic Russian birth, a dodge of the Bolshevik Revolution, a Cambridge education, his marriage, his travel and his skills at lepidoptery. There's no other writer like Nabokov, and these three books -- in my unhumble opinion -- are the best of his fiction. Speak, Memory is a whole other significant item.

Pnin and Lolita in one volume! And Pale Fire for good measure. So much perfection of language and observation, of comedy and the darkest melancholy, or worse.

Muito bem escrito. Mas muito perturbador.

A beautiful print, the page quality is so clear and easy to read and the prose of Nabokov is always such a pleasure.