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jastato's review
3.0
There is absolutely no way in which an unfinished work deserves a 5, I know, but I honestly thought it was the only acceptable rating to give this??? I also honestly cannot believe I gave this a 5??- like- I really can't understand myself??
i toned down my rating, for context scroll to the bottom
Considering we were given so little, my review is also going to be pretty short. The reason I liked it so much was probably because it was so compelling. Each and every character was very intriguing and I would've loved to read their stories, they were surprisingly very 3-dimensional without even being properly fleshed out yet so one could only imagine what it would be like if they were; the drama that could've ensued was super compelling. They were not at all likeable, if anything, most characters in the story were abhorrent for varying reasons (which is a feat of character writing in and of itself); which baffles me because I gravitate towards stories with likeable characters. Events felt really realistic despite feeling very fantastical too. The themes explored in the book made it even more compelling?? The idea of 'dissolution' and the descent into madness were touched on really well and the lack of anything really added to both those themes (especially the whole descent into madness and insanity, it was portrayed really well especially as we follow along the deteriorating handwriting, this was probably unintentional but still). It laid the foundation for so many cool ideas, it really breaks my heart that it wasn't ever and will never be properly fleshed out :( . I also want to say that the gore was portrayed really well? It wasn't explicit but it still manages to make you feel dread and sick. I feel like a lot of books today just try to sound as icky as possible but it ends up just losing impact in the end; this does the opposite. The writing, with what little we're given, is really good too. I left with a lot to think about. This review is so trash because I legitimately have no idea why I liked this so much.
I just think that the overall experience was unlike anything I've ever read, that, and coupled with the fact that there was no massive problem (because it was so underwritten and you go in aware that it isn't even a first draft yet), I think it deserves a 4.5. The missing .5 for the fact that it is an unfinished work and because the author has stated he didn't want this version of the draft up, so I do feel a little guilty for liking it so much. I finished it within the span of 4 hours (you can't tell because I was hit by my midterms for like 10 days and put my reading on hiatus) and was immersed all throughout. Rounded it up because it is actually becoming one of my favourites for this year?? I know... I don't understand myself either
Definitely going to try the author's other works after this one though.
22/7/20: Mass rating readjustment for my account; opinions still stand -- I lowered the rating
Notes: OOp- Indeed, the magic has worn off and now it just seems eh to me
i toned down my rating, for context scroll to the bottom
Considering we were given so little, my review is also going to be pretty short. The reason I liked it so much was probably because it was so compelling. Each and every character was very intriguing and I would've loved to read their stories, they were surprisingly very 3-dimensional without even being properly fleshed out yet so one could only imagine what it would be like if they were; the drama that could've ensued was super compelling. They were not at all likeable, if anything, most characters in the story were abhorrent for varying reasons (which is a feat of character writing in and of itself); which baffles me because I gravitate towards stories with likeable characters. Events felt really realistic despite feeling very fantastical too. The themes explored in the book made it even more compelling?? The idea of 'dissolution' and the descent into madness were touched on really well and the lack of anything really added to both those themes (especially the whole descent into madness and insanity, it was portrayed really well especially as we follow along the deteriorating handwriting, this was probably unintentional but still). It laid the foundation for so many cool ideas, it really breaks my heart that it wasn't ever and will never be properly fleshed out :( . I also want to say that the gore was portrayed really well? It wasn't explicit but it still manages to make you feel dread and sick. I feel like a lot of books today just try to sound as icky as possible but it ends up just losing impact in the end; this does the opposite. The writing, with what little we're given, is really good too. I left with a lot to think about. This review is so trash because I legitimately have no idea why I liked this so much.
I just think that the overall experience was unlike anything I've ever read, that, and coupled with the fact that there was no massive problem (because it was so underwritten and you go in aware that it isn't even a first draft yet), I think it deserves a 4.5. The missing .5 for the fact that it is an unfinished work and because the author has stated he didn't want this version of the draft up, so I do feel a little guilty for liking it so much. I finished it within the span of 4 hours (you can't tell because I was hit by my midterms for like 10 days and put my reading on hiatus) and was immersed all throughout. Rounded it up because it is actually becoming one of my favourites for this year?? I know... I don't understand myself either
Definitely going to try the author's other works after this one though.
22/7/20: Mass rating readjustment for my account; opinions still stand -- I lowered the rating
Notes: OOp- Indeed, the magic has worn off and now it just seems eh to me
rebeccajane's review
3.0
I think I should have read more of Nabakov's novels before going into this one. I think I needed to know his writing style to really appreciate this. This was really confusing and disjointed, but I don't care enough to try to rearrange the cards for it to make more sense. Overall I enjoyed the experience, but wish it could've been a completed story that made sense.
ahjmills's review against another edition
5.0
Hard to follow, since it really is told in relatively confusing fragments. Beautifully written, Nabokov's prose styles, his vocabulary, his word-play, and his use of language is captivating.
itismebruna's review
3.0
Despite the fact I consider Nabokov an amazing writer, this book was just not ready yet. You feel Nabokov in each page and the experience of seeing his hand written cards it's exceptional, but the history is far from concise and engaging. You feel the potential and the taste but it's just not enough! I keep thinking if was really a good decision from Dmitri Nabokov to publish his father's last project.
hayleyshortcake's review
I really have no idea how to rate this as it's just fragments of what could have become a novel and most of it is quite abstract and not fashioned into a regular narrative.
readingdiary's review
3.0
The 3 star rating is actually generous for this pile of fragmented notecards, and yet I still cannot bear to give Nabokov anything lower. Mr. Nabokov died in 1977 in the middle of writing this story/book/novel. He requested that if he passed away before he completed The Original of Laura that all of his notes should be burned. Well, time has come and gone, and his son decided that he could not destroy his father's last written work, even if it was largely unfinished. And so, here is this book.
To be honest, I felt a bit intrusive as I read through each of Nabokov's handwritten notecards. To see his words in his handwriting - misspellings and all - was like discovering someone's secret. It seemed wrong.
It's hard for me to review this book because it really is very fragmented. I can get a general idea, but it's not a complete, cohesive package. Nonetheless, it was refreshing uncover Nabokov's literary style in some parts, and there were a few very well-written lines. It's a shame we'll never be able to read the entire novel.
To be honest, I felt a bit intrusive as I read through each of Nabokov's handwritten notecards. To see his words in his handwriting - misspellings and all - was like discovering someone's secret. It seemed wrong.
It's hard for me to review this book because it really is very fragmented. I can get a general idea, but it's not a complete, cohesive package. Nonetheless, it was refreshing uncover Nabokov's literary style in some parts, and there were a few very well-written lines. It's a shame we'll never be able to read the entire novel.