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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
challenging
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
pninian
Man, I love Nabokov. He has such a sense of fun, of delight in the English language. Esoterica is his great passion. Pnin is probably my least favourite of his works that I've read so far because it's less daring, less gymnastic, but it's still absolutely brilliant - and hilarious.
This novel is essentially a series of little character studies that explore the eccentricities and foibles of American college life, with a sub-focus on Russian emigres. Tying it all together is poor old Professor Pnin, an intellectual who's a bit of a joke but also a deeply sympathetic character with a wholly original world view.
This novel is essentially a series of little character studies that explore the eccentricities and foibles of American college life, with a sub-focus on Russian emigres. Tying it all together is poor old Professor Pnin, an intellectual who's a bit of a joke but also a deeply sympathetic character with a wholly original world view.
I can't esteem his writing more... but I couldn't care about this story of a doddering academic.
lighthearted
medium-paced
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Although I respect Nobakov, this book failed miserably at engaging me. I read it simply because I own it and wanted something to read at work but Jesus Christ. The characters are uninteresting, the plot is non existent and it feels like nothing more than an egregious demonstration of the author's vocabulary and ability to make sentences as long as humanly possible. Grating, exhausting, disappointing.
Pnin is the story of a lovable émigré egghead. When we’re introduced to him, he’s a guy that can’t catch a break. The narration mocks him. His broken English, juxtaposed with Nabokov’s mastery of sentences and form, is often played for comedic effect.
But this is soon problematized. Nabokov uses a unique episodic structure to give the reader different angles and context into Pnin’s character. We likewise gain insight into the narrator, whose perspective quietly colors the text.
The reader is left to reflect on their prior reading of Pnin. Some may have allowed themselves to laugh at tragedy. It is a lesson in empathy, and a call for more careful consideration.
Now, should the lesson in empathy have involved a character that isn’t obviously a stand-in for Nabokov himself? Maybe, maybe not. Write what you know, right? It’s a moving work nonetheless.
I will add that there’s a great literary device involving a squirrel here. Inspired!
But this is soon problematized. Nabokov uses a unique episodic structure to give the reader different angles and context into Pnin’s character. We likewise gain insight into the narrator, whose perspective quietly colors the text.
The reader is left to reflect on their prior reading of Pnin. Some may have allowed themselves to laugh at tragedy. It is a lesson in empathy, and a call for more careful consideration.
Now, should the lesson in empathy have involved a character that isn’t obviously a stand-in for Nabokov himself? Maybe, maybe not. Write what you know, right? It’s a moving work nonetheless.
I will add that there’s a great literary device involving a squirrel here. Inspired!
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes