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Query: VN & Mark Twain
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VN & Mark Twain
----- Original Message -----
From: Michael Buhmann
To: NABOKV-L@LISTSERV.UCSB.EDU
Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2004 9:58 AM
Subject: VN & Mark Twain
I just listened to some dry commentary on the radio regarding Mark Twain and I was wondering if Nabokov had read much of Twain and what he had to say about him. At first glance the two writers seem miles apart but on closer inspection they do share some traits. They both portray a view of contemporary America using humor, irony, and colloquial speech. They also share that elusive quality of sympathy for humanity (or "tenderness" which was mentioned in a previous thread) which verges on sentimentality and poshlust. Am I nuts or has someone else explored this connection?
----- Original Message -----
From: Michael Buhmann
To: NABOKV-L@LISTSERV.UCSB.EDU
Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2004 9:58 AM
Subject: VN & Mark Twain
I just listened to some dry commentary on the radio regarding Mark Twain and I was wondering if Nabokov had read much of Twain and what he had to say about him. At first glance the two writers seem miles apart but on closer inspection they do share some traits. They both portray a view of contemporary America using humor, irony, and colloquial speech. They also share that elusive quality of sympathy for humanity (or "tenderness" which was mentioned in a previous thread) which verges on sentimentality and poshlust. Am I nuts or has someone else explored this connection?