Really, I have some troubles to make a logical connection between "exile and novels" and don't think
they follow: Cantica gignit amor et amorem cantica gignunt.

Oh, I am not sure if you meant "ellipsis", but whom should I excuse?

Cheers, Vladimir


Dear Vladimir,

Excuse [me for] the misspelling of ellipsis.

I'm amazed to find that there is any question about the importance of exile in Nabokov's life and work.  Amor may bring forth songs and poetry, but it seems to me that the novels of Nabokov are made of stronger and more bitter stuff. Imagine a Nabokov of the poetry & short stories only - -  that's the only literary Nabokov I can imagine in a Russia sans revolution. Imagine Dante without the Commedia.

But of course, there's really no way of knowing how different the world would have been without Ulyanov or Mr -vili.  Probably  no German picklepacker either.

Anyway, all of this being pure conjecture, chaqu'un à son goût?

Carolyn