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A review by jastato
The Original of Laura by Vladimir Nabokov, Dmitri Nabokov
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