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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
i dig his writing, but i guess i need to redo this to hold on to the plot. it really didn't stick.
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
After reading something such as boundary pushing as Lolita it's hard to find a satisfying next step. Pnin offers an attempt to make that next step. Written at the same time as Lolita, Pnin offers a very different side of Nabokov while still expanding upon what makes a work of his so great.
If Lolita felt like the longest 300 page book I’ve read, Pnin felt like the longest 130 page book I’ve read. While offering the depth and complexity accustomed to his work, Pnin is the story of Timofey Pnin, a Russian professor at an American College. It becomes apparent very quickly that this character is closely based on Nabokov, but not quite. This book explores the experiences Pnin has as an immigrant outsider and how he stands out in society. Offering the humor accustomed to a Nabokov novel, Pnin awkwardly stumbles through scenarios and offers comedic relief to the plot while offering a contrast of experiences.
An immigrant is often seen in stark contrast with the native born population. The character of Pnin and his bumbling nature, stands out even more seeing as he is a college professor. It shows that even those who are of high intelligence and hold positions highly esteemed in society face this level of othering.
The nature of Pnin really is a story of the othering of in and out groups. It is primarily focused on the immigrant experience in America but we also get a portrayal of non bolshevik Russians getting ousted from post revolution Russia and “undesirables” from Nazi Germany society. The deep and expansive backstories of Pnin and other characters really humanize these experiences showcasing the extreme nature of the mid 20th Century and how many of these themes of othering still persist today.
Pnin may be a character closely based on the real life of Vladimir Nabokov but Nabokov doesn’t let that overview completely define the character. The fact that most of this story is told in 3rd person really gets you to compare and contrast the two persons and question just where the divide between the two is. The ending really only expands on this reflection by offering insight into who the real narrator was and how that character is also quite similar to the real Nabokov, playing with the concept of the storyteller even further, one of the more interesting aspects of this book.
While I liked Pnin and found more to enjoy in it than not, I did find it a bit underwhelming, especially in comparison to Lolita. I found that the narrative was quite aimless, as we really just follow Pnin and reflect on the backgrounds of various characters. While I enjoyed a more lighthearted story from Nabokov, I found its lack of direction really lost a lot of interest for me. The writing and tone offer much of what Nabokov is great at when it comes to humor and wordplay but none of it felt on par with Lolita. It’ll be interesting to see how my perception of Nabokov develops with the next work.
Pnin was my third Nabokov and sadly my least favourite out of both Lolita and Despair. Maybe starting with Lolita has ruined my experience of Nabokov's bibliography because as of right now I don't see anything topping that masterpiece. Still enjoyable but it doesn't even register on the same spectrum as the two I've already read.
Still good but probably my least favourite Nabokov so far. The self-satisfied tone and literary gymnastics seemed less well suited to this narrative.
You could say Pnin is Nabokov's tonic for Lolita, which would be true but too reductive for this brilliant little novel. His story of the hapless émigré Pnin is both gentle and funny, yet quite sad. What, after all, could the endlessly erudite Nabokov not do?
An interesting book, full of what you expect from Nabokov -- wonderful descriptions; thought-provoking asides about literature, people, and banalities; word play; etc. -- but the plot is just too thin to hold it.
Pnin is a first-rate character surrounded by quick pencil sketches. Even the promising introductions of Victor and Mira leaf to nothing more than hints at depth.
The climactic party scene is excellent; if only there was more like that.
Pnin is a first-rate character surrounded by quick pencil sketches. Even the promising introductions of Victor and Mira leaf to nothing more than hints at depth.
The climactic party scene is excellent; if only there was more like that.
Charming and enjoyable. A fascinating and enrapturing glance at a man that is both familiar and foreign all at once. Delightful in all the right ways despite a slightly disappointing ending. A lovely read.