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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
A book that stings more than it tickles. It hits too close to home for a Chinese émigré in the West such as myself, who, despite self-proclaimed pragmatism, can never quite shake off an idealistic indulgence in useless antiquity. I hope I am more worldly than hapless Prof Pnin.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I found this read to be such a drag, I had to leave it aside for a year. Finally finished it. The prose wasn’t severely flowery but still confused me a great deal.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love Nabokov. The plot of Pain isn't particularly interesting, but the book is so well written, descriptive, and funny that is is quite enjoyable. Pnin is the. butt of every joke, even the narrator pokes fun at him. There is no real justice for him, he is portrayed as a pathetic man who is unaware of how he is perceived. Part of me wishes we knew more about Pnin, more than what the narrator has learned from others. But I understand that was the entire point.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and I think it was the perfect Nabokov book for me to read following Lolita. (This is my second Nab. read, excited for many more.)
Overall, I enjoyed this book and I think it was the perfect Nabokov book for me to read following Lolita. (This is my second Nab. read, excited for many more.)
3.5
Didn’t captivate me as Lolita did, but there are glimpses of pure, deep beauty here that only Nabokov could write. He is really something special
Didn’t captivate me as Lolita did, but there are glimpses of pure, deep beauty here that only Nabokov could write. He is really something special
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
My least favourite Nabokov so far. Funny, because the text on the back told me this book is one of his best-loved novels.
I had read the first couple of chapters in 2011, but it wasn't until the Summer of 2012 I finally finished this book. Nothing in the novel really caught my attention. The story line is slow and although there were some funny episodes here and there, this book just didn't do it for me.
Still 3 stars, because Nabokov's use of the English language deserves nothing less than that.
I had read the first couple of chapters in 2011, but it wasn't until the Summer of 2012 I finally finished this book. Nothing in the novel really caught my attention. The story line is slow and although there were some funny episodes here and there, this book just didn't do it for me.
Still 3 stars, because Nabokov's use of the English language deserves nothing less than that.
A challenging read but a fruitful one. A frantic story wrapped in a complex narrative style that will leave you saying “…what was that?”.