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A review by mcastello13
Vera: Mrs. Vladimir Nabokov by Stacy Schiff
4.0
I have such mixed feelings about this book. I cannot deny that it is a stunning piece of writing, one completely worthy, I would venture to say, of its subject. That said, my infatuation with the words themselves eventually turned to a frustration with the woman they so enchantingly bring to life. As much as Véra was a brilliant person in her own right, the fact that she so willing subsumed herself into her husband’s life and career was something I could never fully accept. I know that’s how she wanted to live her life, but it aggravated me to no end, and this ultimately lowered the appeal of the book for me.
I did learn SO much about the Nabokovs through this book, however, and one can’t deny they were fascinating people, if not the biggest literary snobs ever. And I do love literary history in general.
Two parts of their story also hit me so hard: first, when we find out Nabokov cheated on Véra early in their marriage, and then when he died first, leaving her a widow. These moments devastated me because their bond, their marriage, their friendship, was clearly an incredible partnership - even if, at the end of the day, it always came back to Vladimir.
I did learn SO much about the Nabokovs through this book, however, and one can’t deny they were fascinating people, if not the biggest literary snobs ever. And I do love literary history in general.
Two parts of their story also hit me so hard: first, when we find out Nabokov cheated on Véra early in their marriage, and then when he died first, leaving her a widow. These moments devastated me because their bond, their marriage, their friendship, was clearly an incredible partnership - even if, at the end of the day, it always came back to Vladimir.