On May 16, 2010, at 5:46 AM, Jansy wrote: On May 16, 2010, at 5:46 AM, Jansy wrote: From your description, "Lili" (with its hints of pedophilia) would make more sense in relation to "Lolita"...Perhaps the hidden connection might lead us to Nabokov himself, and his "puppet show."
Sorry, Jansy. I don't see it. Are you arguing that Nabokov knew this film, or the story? Or are you arguing that Gallico was thinking of Lolita? What is the point? Lots of young girls are abused in lots of ways in lots of literature - - what on earth has it got to do with Nabokov?
And since I'm being peevish, let me take this opportunity to make a general complaint. I have mentioned it before, and ruffled some feathers, and I think the time has come to re-ruffle. I find distasteful the tendency on this list to see everything through nabokovian lenses. Shouldn't we also be looking at him in other, larger contexts? The world, dear ones, is bigger than Nabokov, not the other way around.
Alexey looks down on what he calls Soviet provincialism, but I see this List devolving into extremely provincialism, and, to put it bluntly, most of it is boring. Why have so many of the people who used to contribute wittily and intelligently to this List been silent for years now? The archives are more lively than current discussions, in my opinion. And I think it is a shame.
I would like to see more discussion about Nabokov in relation to other writers. I would like to see his ideas discussed and challenged. The tendency of this List to be worshipful has become, in the words of one of my favorite characters (not one of Nabokov's) grotesque and irreligious.
Carolyn Kunin
p.s. Am I excommunicated yet?