Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
What a genius of prose. Nabokov's Pnin is admirable in his persistent mistakes, his clumsy love, his sad misfortune. After reading this, I did a bit of reading online and learned Nabokov wrote this at the same time he wrote Lolita (which was published AFTER Pnin). What a crazy contrast: the poor Professor Pnin and cruel Hubert Humphrey of Lolita.
Nabokov's eloquent descriptions furnish his plot with glorious backdrops. Squirrels scurrying about Pnin's life take on deeper meaning. An account of a room's arrangement turns into commentary about love. Small off-handed moments like the discussion between a Professor of the History of Philosophy and a Professor of the Philosophy of History add depth to these snap shots of life. Scattered with scenes of humorous confusion are allusions to the never far-off sadness of the world and the in life of these Russian expatriates whose memories of loss melt into their modern American lives.
Nabokov is a linguistic prodigy whose talent with words creates the pleasure that is this novel.
Nabokov's eloquent descriptions furnish his plot with glorious backdrops. Squirrels scurrying about Pnin's life take on deeper meaning. An account of a room's arrangement turns into commentary about love. Small off-handed moments like the discussion between a Professor of the History of Philosophy and a Professor of the Philosophy of History add depth to these snap shots of life. Scattered with scenes of humorous confusion are allusions to the never far-off sadness of the world and the in life of these Russian expatriates whose memories of loss melt into their modern American lives.
Nabokov is a linguistic prodigy whose talent with words creates the pleasure that is this novel.
It seemed to jump around a lot. I never really figured out a plot to the story.
funny
lighthearted
slow-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
Good writing style, too little dry humor, most of it was at the start. Otherwise it was quite boring. 2.5*
książka-pułapka. ci, którzy słabo zaznajomieni z błyskotliwym stylem Nabokova - strzeżcie się lektury w komunikacji miejskiej, usilnie wstrzymywany bowiem, gwałtowny, gardłowy śmiech, dodatkowo tłumiony przez maseczkę łudząco przypomina atak kaszlu; a po nim należy liczyć się z groźnymi spojrzeniami współpasażerów.
+ posłowie Engelkinga obowiązkowe (moim zdaniem)
+ posłowie Engelkinga obowiązkowe (moim zdaniem)
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
slow-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
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
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
a silly little guy who just can't catch a break
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective