Subject
VN Bibliography: Neil Cornwell, VLADIMIR NABOKOV
Date
Body
Neil Cornwell. _Vladimir Nabokov_. Plymouth (U.K.): Northcote, 1999.
142pp. ISBN 07463-0868. 8.99 pounds ster. Fax +44 (0) 1752 202331
Having read one's first Nabokov novel, the novice may want a
concise survey for further guidance -- as well as explication of what s/he
has just read. Neil Cornwell's new volume is ideal for such newcomers --
as well as for the more "advanced" reader. Cornwell, Professor of Russian
and Comparative Literature at the University of Bristol, provides an
extremely well-informed introduction to Nabokov's more important works. No
less valuable is its up-to-date survey of Nabokov scholarship and
resources.
The introductory chapter contains a brief biographical sketch
followed by an excellent survey of the themes and motifs of Nabokov's
works. A second chapter briefly examines Nabokov's contributions to
Russian literary scholarship -- an informative topic, slighted in most
other Nabokov survey volumes. The short stories and the Russian novels are
treated in subsequent chapters. Study of the latter is limited to a brief
account of the first novel, _Mary_ (1926) and then a much more detailed
study of Nabokov's final and best Russian novel, _The Gift_.
The English novels,_Lolita_, _Pale Fire_, _Ada_, and _Look at the
Harlequins!_, each receive full chapters. All of the novel studies are
judicious and well-informed, while that devoted to LATH! is especially
praiseworthy. Although not among the great works, LATH!, as an
auto-referential summing up of Nabokovian themes and devices, makes an
excellent wrap-up for the volume. ALthough the book is aimed at the
"general reader," it is meticulously documented and contains a few
critical nuggets that will intrigue the specialist.
There will be those who complain about the omission of this or
that particular work or, particularly, about the inclusion of LATH! versus
the omission of _Invitation to a Beheading_, a close contender for being
VN's best Russian novel. This particular omission is offset by the recent
appearance of Julian Connolly's recent collection of _Beheading_
scholarship. Much of the challenge of writing a short survey lies the
selection and omission process. Should one attempt to say a few words
about "everything" or something more substantive about particular works?
Cornwell has taken the latter course with happy results. Blessedly free of
critical jargon and obfuscating "theory," the volume is prefaced by a
useful "Biographical Outline" and concludes with a well-chosen
bibliography and index.
142pp. ISBN 07463-0868. 8.99 pounds ster. Fax +44 (0) 1752 202331
Having read one's first Nabokov novel, the novice may want a
concise survey for further guidance -- as well as explication of what s/he
has just read. Neil Cornwell's new volume is ideal for such newcomers --
as well as for the more "advanced" reader. Cornwell, Professor of Russian
and Comparative Literature at the University of Bristol, provides an
extremely well-informed introduction to Nabokov's more important works. No
less valuable is its up-to-date survey of Nabokov scholarship and
resources.
The introductory chapter contains a brief biographical sketch
followed by an excellent survey of the themes and motifs of Nabokov's
works. A second chapter briefly examines Nabokov's contributions to
Russian literary scholarship -- an informative topic, slighted in most
other Nabokov survey volumes. The short stories and the Russian novels are
treated in subsequent chapters. Study of the latter is limited to a brief
account of the first novel, _Mary_ (1926) and then a much more detailed
study of Nabokov's final and best Russian novel, _The Gift_.
The English novels,_Lolita_, _Pale Fire_, _Ada_, and _Look at the
Harlequins!_, each receive full chapters. All of the novel studies are
judicious and well-informed, while that devoted to LATH! is especially
praiseworthy. Although not among the great works, LATH!, as an
auto-referential summing up of Nabokovian themes and devices, makes an
excellent wrap-up for the volume. ALthough the book is aimed at the
"general reader," it is meticulously documented and contains a few
critical nuggets that will intrigue the specialist.
There will be those who complain about the omission of this or
that particular work or, particularly, about the inclusion of LATH! versus
the omission of _Invitation to a Beheading_, a close contender for being
VN's best Russian novel. This particular omission is offset by the recent
appearance of Julian Connolly's recent collection of _Beheading_
scholarship. Much of the challenge of writing a short survey lies the
selection and omission process. Should one attempt to say a few words
about "everything" or something more substantive about particular works?
Cornwell has taken the latter course with happy results. Blessedly free of
critical jargon and obfuscating "theory," the volume is prefaced by a
useful "Biographical Outline" and concludes with a well-chosen
bibliography and index.