Reviews

Mary by Vladimir Nabokov

alberthacker3's review against another edition

emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

what_is_a_name's review

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

saraib28's review against another edition

3.0

My first Nabokov read, i was too scared and too disturbed to read Lolita so i randomly picked this one to see what Nabokov is all about. Beautiful and simple, loved it. 3.5

lettersbylily's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

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

2.5

margareads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

flaneussy's review

3.0

Honestly...I found it more annoying than anything else, especially since Nabokov went on to write much better things. That said (to complement the solipsistic themes in the novel), it is reassuring to know that one of the most frustratingly brilliant minds of the 20th century wrote a mediocre first novel. In a way, it gives me a little bit of hope???

(Also, I read it in translation, which obviously isn't ideal, but it was my only option since I don't speak Russian.)

mpayne18's review

4.0

baffled by the stunningly gorgeous prose. very indicative of a first novel (blatantly semi-autobiographical) but very strong. no surprise really though. nabokov is one of the best prose writers of the 20th century, perhaps of all time. really moving, and nostalgic for young first love.

s_e_'s review against another edition

emotional funny

4.0

the ending's sort of disappointing but Nabokov's prose remains colourful and captivating.

katerina_dim's review against another edition

emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.0

mikelchartier's review

4.0

I found this book to be remarkably more rewarding than most of the previous critics. The story drags for the first half but turns wonderful at the end with positively manipulative resolve mixed with Nabokov's perpetually effervescent prose. It's a really fast read to boot!