draft of "gleanings of a sub-sub-archive dweller" To the
Members of the Nabokov-List,
As the caniculi-canicula of summer descends
upon most of us, our intrepid editor has asked me (how does he know I have
nothing better to do?) to delve into the archives to find "best of the List"
items.
As we all know, the bottom-feeders are the lowest life forms,
however I decided to accept the position, since, I admit, I do rather enjoy
sniffing around in cellars. The best wines are sometimes to be found in those
lower depths.
But where to start? Nabokov & Birthdays? N &
Birds? His biography or genealogy? Might as well start at the beginning of the
alphabet (and I'll admit to having my own interests there). Ada? Why not?
Who is Ada Veen? The only daughter of Marina Durmanov and Demon (rather than
Daniel) Veen. And her character? Some adore her, and others abhore her
(among the latter, her creator, if he is to be trusted).
So let's begin
with Ada Veenlander. Hard-hearted Ada or soft?