Vladimir Nabokov

NABOKV-L post 0002074, Wed, 30 Apr 1997 20:01:24 -0700

Subject
Irons vs. Mason (fwd)
Date
Body
EDITOR's NOTE. I haven't heard the Mason reading in many years, so I
really can't compare it Irons' fine reading. What I look forward to is
listening to Irons' reading in comparison with VN's recording of certain
scenes such as the HH-Quilty brawl. The VN recording is, I think, still
available, although it contains only snatches of the novel.


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Thomas E. Braun" <cawriter@sprynet.com>

May 1, 1997

One item to anticipate in the new "Lolita" movie is the opportunity to
compare the Humbert of Jeremy Irons with that of James Mason in the 1962
Stanley Kubrick film. Two of the finest actors ever to take to the
screen - what more could you ask? Oh, just this: will the new version
ever be released? Those who cannot wait can make the comparison now, in
a sense. An earlier blurb in this forum advertised the complete reading
of "Lolita" by Irons, available as an audio book. In 1981, Mason
recorded an abridged reading of our favorite novel. It is available from
HarperCollins Publishers in New York, ISBN #1-55994-634-2. My
preference: Mason. His reading has more wit, anguish and pathos than
that of Irons - which is still bloody good. Too bad Mason did not record
the entire book, but in 1981 the market for audio books did not yet
justify the expense of such an undertaking. Buy both and make up your
own mind.

Cheers,
Thomas E. Braun
cawriter@sprynet.com