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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This novel had me torn between amusement and boredom. The titular Pnin is an aging Russian emigrée who teaches in a US college in the 1950s. He is hapless, bumbling, forgetful, but also very sweet-natured. It hurt when I was aware of others laughing at him, and I enjoyed the little scenes that didn't go anywhere: Pnin on his holidays with other Russian emigrées, Pnin's ex-wife visiting him, Pnin's ex-wife's son visiting him, and the slight humour. It has an interesting ending, but ultimately none of it was enough to make me love the book (however much I loved the character).
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
funny
lighthearted
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
Pninisms about Pninian ways filled with Pninian sayings and Pnin maxxing all over. Loved but also struggled with this. The reflection on the imigre in America was wonderful and fascinating but not sure I loved Pnin as the vector for this.
Professor Pnin is above all an endearing character. Partly based on Vladimir Nabokov (1899-1977) himself, the eccentric Russian-born ophthalmologist-turned-teacher (‘his father was Dostoyevsky’s family doctor’) struggles to adjust in the United States. Whatever future he might have had if Europe had not been war-torn, Pnin seems unable to find his footing outside the old continent. While consistently reflecting on the past (which involves both historical atrocities and cultural excellence), he grapples with (informal) American manners and the English language. Nabokov makes clear what migration does to social status: once a respectable doctor, poor professor Pnin is now at the mercy of his employer and landlords.
Pnin is an incredibly witty novel. Some parts are dense and difficult to read, but I appreciated those where the narrator – who reveals himself in the last chapter – intervenes. Since dignity seems to be an important topic between the lines, the novel reminded me of Kazuo Ishiguro’s [b:The Remains of the Day|57934597|The Remains of the Day|Kazuo Ishiguro|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1620064369l/57934597._SY75_.jpg|3333111] as well.
Next on my list is Nabokov’s [b:Pale Fire|33986506|Pale Fire|Vladimir Nabokov|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1485377224l/33986506._SY75_.jpg|1222661].
Pnin is an incredibly witty novel. Some parts are dense and difficult to read, but I appreciated those where the narrator – who reveals himself in the last chapter – intervenes. Since dignity seems to be an important topic between the lines, the novel reminded me of Kazuo Ishiguro’s [b:The Remains of the Day|57934597|The Remains of the Day|Kazuo Ishiguro|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1620064369l/57934597._SY75_.jpg|3333111] as well.
Next on my list is Nabokov’s [b:Pale Fire|33986506|Pale Fire|Vladimir Nabokov|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1485377224l/33986506._SY75_.jpg|1222661].
i just profoundly did not like this when i tried to read this and i won't ever try again
I have never related to a character as much as I relate to Jack Cockerell. Repeating a joke long after it’s been driven into the ground
Witty and extraordinary choice of words. The chapters seem a little bit disjointed, but overall it's an interesting story. I did like and become protective of Pnin. He reminded me a lot of my Grandpa, who was also an academician and loves Russian culture (although he had never formally learned about Russian. He was a doctoral candidate of developmental economy. Ahh...I missed him)
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No