Nabokov: Pale Fire

I just finished "Pale Fire" by Nabokov. I read it because someone said "If you like Wolfe you'll like this," and it was mentioned a while back when we tried to put together a reading list of books that would help you appreciate Wolfe (search the archives for "Wolfe Library"). I think this book hit the Gene-Wolfe-Pleasure-Centers in my brain more than any other book not written by Wolfe. It's got the ultimate unreliable narrator, ambiguous plot puzzles left for the reader to put together, fun games with the text (the index is great -- I loved the bit about the crown jewels, ghosts, and absolutely beautiful writing. I was also surprised that it was not a hard book to read, certainly not as hard as some of Wolfe's. The only drawback is it might make you more self-conscous about spinning theories about Wolfe's stories. Are there any other Nabokov books you would recommend for Wolfe fans (or just for me)? -- Rostrum

I love Pale Fire...definitely Nabokov's best...at least of what I've read so far. I'd say the other must-read is the infamous Lolita. It's a beautifully written book (even though the subject matter is rather ugly) though it certainly has fewer puzzles than Pale Fire. T. -----Original Message----- From: Michael Straight [mailto:straight at email.unc.edu] Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2003 11:46 AM To: urth at urth.net Subject: (urth) Nabokov: Pale Fire I just finished "Pale Fire" by Nabokov. I read it because someone said "If you like Wolfe you'll like this," and it was mentioned a while back when we tried to put together a reading list of books that would help you appreciate Wolfe (search the archives for "Wolfe Library"). I think this book hit the Gene-Wolfe-Pleasure-Centers in my brain more than any other book not written by Wolfe. It's got the ultimate unreliable narrator, ambiguous plot puzzles left for the reader to put together, fun games with the text (the index is great -- I loved the bit about the crown jewels, ghosts, and absolutely beautiful writing. I was also surprised that it was not a hard book to read, certainly not as hard as some of Wolfe's. The only drawback is it might make you more self-conscous about spinning theories about Wolfe's stories. Are there any other Nabokov books you would recommend for Wolfe fans (or just for me)? -- Rostrum

Rostrum writes (excerpt, excerpt):

Alternative view: I tried three times to read PALE FIRE and never once succeeded in getting more than 20 pages into it. It is, to me, one of the most opaque pieces of writing in the world. Which was a damn shame, as I could see that there's a lot of stuff in there that I would enjoy -- would "tickle the Wolfe pleasure centers" -- but Nabokov's writing lies in a range that I can't process for some reason. (I'll try again in a few years, I'm sure. Sometimes things like this suddenly clear up. The first few times I tried to read Charles Harness's THE ROSE -- which, by the way, I recommend very, very highly -- I had the same experience; when I turned 30 it suddenly became a transcendant reading experience. Some things I just have to grow into, I guess.)

I suppose that some people might consider this a drawback. 8*) Hey, has anyone mentioned THE NAME OF THE ROSE as a rather Lupine book in many ways?

For those who have either read "Pale Fire" or have attempted it and put it down, I highly recommend "Nabokov's Pale Fire", by D. Boyd. I admit that I read it before I read Pale Fire, but it is such a good read itself and quotes extensively from Pale Fire itself. It attempts to solve one of the most complicated literary puzzles ever. His solution is complex and almost unbelievable, but very well-documented. You will never read Nabokov the same ever again.

Not sure about Nabokov, but another author who does the unreliable narrator very well and plays games with the reader is Kazuo Ishiguro. I'd recommend 'The Unconsoled', 'Remains of the Day', and 'When We Were Orphans' particularly highly - they might hit the Wolfe-pleasure-centres you refer to :o) Best, G.