Subject
Re: QUERY: Other writers' disparagement or envy of VN?
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In my opinion John Updike became a bit of a hack in his later years, while
VN's writing improved.
On Mon, May 16, 2011 at 9:41 AM, NABOKV-L <NABOKV-L@holycross.edu> wrote:
> Dear List Members,
>
> I've been thinking of writing an essay about what might be called Nabokov
> Derangement Syndrome. Which I would loosely define as the not-well examined
> phenomenon of good, even great writers not being aware of the envy beneath
> their disparaging remarks about VN.
>
> One could see it in those who denounced <Laura> for being published at
> all, because itwould be unfair to VN's memory to expose a not fully realized
> work to the world. And then when published, pounced on it as not being fully
> realized. They were clearly elated to have some grounds to feel superior
> momentarily to someone who was superior in finished work. . Now I'm not one
> to call VN perfect, but I recently came across quotes from Updike and Geoff
> Dyer (I believe they were quoted in reviews republished on this list) whom
> I've admired, taking shots at VN and his admirers.
>
> It must be galling to be a writer of fiction and forever be condemned to
> be second (at least) to VN, so it's not surprising, but I don't think the
> Syndrome's been pointed out, so I'd be grateful for examples.
>
> Thank you,
>
> Ron Rosenbaum
>
> Search the archive<http://www.google.com/advanced_search?q=site:listserv.ucsb.edu&HL=en> Contact
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>
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> co-editors.
>
--
Norky
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VN's writing improved.
On Mon, May 16, 2011 at 9:41 AM, NABOKV-L <NABOKV-L@holycross.edu> wrote:
> Dear List Members,
>
> I've been thinking of writing an essay about what might be called Nabokov
> Derangement Syndrome. Which I would loosely define as the not-well examined
> phenomenon of good, even great writers not being aware of the envy beneath
> their disparaging remarks about VN.
>
> One could see it in those who denounced <Laura> for being published at
> all, because itwould be unfair to VN's memory to expose a not fully realized
> work to the world. And then when published, pounced on it as not being fully
> realized. They were clearly elated to have some grounds to feel superior
> momentarily to someone who was superior in finished work. . Now I'm not one
> to call VN perfect, but I recently came across quotes from Updike and Geoff
> Dyer (I believe they were quoted in reviews republished on this list) whom
> I've admired, taking shots at VN and his admirers.
>
> It must be galling to be a writer of fiction and forever be condemned to
> be second (at least) to VN, so it's not surprising, but I don't think the
> Syndrome's been pointed out, so I'd be grateful for examples.
>
> Thank you,
>
> Ron Rosenbaum
>
> Search the archive<http://www.google.com/advanced_search?q=site:listserv.ucsb.edu&HL=en> Contact
> the Editors <nabokv-l@utk.edu,nabokv-l@holycross.edu> Visit "Nabokov
> Online Journal" <http://www.nabokovonline.com> Visit Zembla<http://www.libraries.psu.edu/nabokov/zembla.htm> View
> Nabokv-L Policies <http://web.utk.edu/%7Esblackwe/EDNote.htm> Manage
> subscription options <http://listserv.ucsb.edu/>
>
> All private editorial communications, without exception, are read by both
> co-editors.
>
--
Norky
Search archive with Google:
http://www.google.com/advanced_search?q=site:listserv.ucsb.edu&HL=en
Contact the Editors: mailto:nabokv-l@utk.edu,nabokv-l@holycross.edu
Visit Zembla: http://www.libraries.psu.edu/nabokov/zembla.htm
View Nabokv-L policies: http://web.utk.edu/~sblackwe/EDNote.htm
Visit "Nabokov Online Journal:" http://www.nabokovonline.com
Manage subscription options: http://listserv.ucsb.edu/