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greenblack's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
saudadevemcorrendo's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
this has to be one of my favorite books, if not my favorite i have ever read. with a mix of metafiction and twists in ways that give this book sky-high readability, i can't wait to give this one at least two more rereads.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Murder
maddiebisek's review against another edition
challenging
funny
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
delimeatz's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
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
4.5
perhaps the most interesting novel i’ve had the pleasure of reading, in the least pretentious terms. never have i read a book that made me think to myself “wow i should read that again” while halfway through. so incredibly thoughtful, intriguing, and encapsulating. nabokov truly outdid himself, i can’t even explain this
mayhm's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
My first Nabokov book, without knowing his idiosyncratic writing and mischievous protagonists, is a weird, whirlwind experience. It consists of a dramatic 999-line poem, written by John Shade, a distinguished poet at Wordsmith College, New Wye, and the obsession entailing his new neighbor and colleague Charles Kinbote, John’s alter-ego. Charles is always on the prowl for John’s whereabouts, his art, and an ardent desire for control, possession, and validation from Shade's work, a manifestation of deeper psychological and possibly sexual impulses. A commentary is intertwined within the poem’s structure, basing on Kinbote’s own interpretations, both personal, a story of a Zemblan king, and the colorful passages of a revolution revolving the figure.
I was unnerved by Sybil, John’s dear wife, on her indifference and secretive responses to Charles, but it is probably her intuition in guarding her marriage and the husband’s art. The narrator seemed to wash out the confines of the timeline, for I have even forgotten that he was a recent alien in the neighborhood.
Around 70% of the story that my supposed stupefaction by the torrent of Zembla’s history did it finally click for me. From thereon, I purposefully detached myself from the frantic timelines, and the marathon became a walk in the park. The narrator merged with the Zambian king, then transporting into the neighbor in the person of Charles. Hallelujah! The layers of intrigue, with the narration becoming an unreliable web of woven delusion and truth. The nuances are lost to me now! How have I been mislead without a single whiff is beyond me. A lesson of conscientious reading and comprehension in lieu with the millions of literary and scholastic literature is an attitude the reader should possess. Do not trust every single word until a careful evaluation has been made.
From today thereupon, I declare my love for Nabokov, his pen, and the playfulness his palms provoke, with myself and his readers, and the chance encounter to read such provocative works.
I was unnerved by Sybil, John’s dear wife, on her indifference and secretive responses to Charles, but it is probably her intuition in guarding her marriage and the husband’s art. The narrator seemed to wash out the confines of the timeline, for I have even forgotten that he was a recent alien in the neighborhood.
Around 70% of the story that my supposed stupefaction by the torrent of Zembla’s history did it finally click for me. From thereon, I purposefully detached myself from the frantic timelines, and the marathon became a walk in the park. The narrator merged with the Zambian king, then transporting into the neighbor in the person of Charles. Hallelujah! The layers of intrigue, with the narration becoming an unreliable web of woven delusion and truth. The nuances are lost to me now! How have I been mislead without a single whiff is beyond me. A lesson of conscientious reading and comprehension in lieu with the millions of literary and scholastic literature is an attitude the reader should possess. Do not trust every single word until a careful evaluation has been made.
From today thereupon, I declare my love for Nabokov, his pen, and the playfulness his palms provoke, with myself and his readers, and the chance encounter to read such provocative works.
lweezthereadrat's review against another edition
challenging
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This is such an interesting read. Nabokov writes one of literature's most annoying narrators, an obsessive and self-absorbed man whose relationship with his poet neighbour feels unbidden and blown out of proportion. Writing both Kinbote and Shade's voices feels like Nabokov is seeking to prove that he can be a good writer, he just enjoys writing insufferable men. The format makes this a slow burn off a read but it's an innovative idea.
Content Warnings
Minor: Misogyny, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Racism, Child abuse, Incest, and Antisemitism
chloebarneyy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
A lovely and enjoyable read. This was light enough and well paced that I finished it in half a day but still emotional and dark at times. The poetry was reminiscent of the romantics and I found myself both crying and laughing throughout.
moth_dance's review against another edition
2.0
Long on my reading list, only because of peer pressure from the literary world to actually read it. I've finally completed this book but as assigned reading for a graduate course. I would have never finished it otherwise.
IMO, Pale Fire is NOT the greatest book of the 20th century.
Yes, it's radical and insanely meticulous in its style. But I felt nothing afterwards. Something in me was moved during the Cantos, cause some of the lines in Canto 4 especially are so amazing and otherworldly. But the rest, nothing.
It's not really an emotional read. It's just a logical read, a "must-read" for literature students and academics, but it's not a fun read outside of that.
So please don't feel pressured to read this book or feel bad because you don't like it or can't "get it." I think good old Nabokov just wrote this one for himself...
IMO, Pale Fire is NOT the greatest book of the 20th century.
Yes, it's radical and insanely meticulous in its style. But I felt nothing afterwards. Something in me was moved during the Cantos, cause some of the lines in Canto 4 especially are so amazing and otherworldly. But the rest, nothing.
It's not really an emotional read. It's just a logical read, a "must-read" for literature students and academics, but it's not a fun read outside of that.
So please don't feel pressured to read this book or feel bad because you don't like it or can't "get it." I think good old Nabokov just wrote this one for himself...
robfarren's review against another edition
4.0
A good challenging read. Nabakov, as always writes beautifully.