Also embedded is an allusion to the 18th century author
Delarivier Manley who Lucette’s governess resembles in some aspects.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delarivier_Manley
Suellen Stringer-Hye
From: Vladimir Nabokov
Forum [mailto:NABOKV-L@LISTSERV.UCSB.EDU] On Behalf Of NABOKV-L
Sent: Tuesday, June 22, 2010 9:35 PM
To: NABOKV-L@LISTSERV.UCSB.EDU
Subject: [NABOKV-L] La riviere de diamants
Dear All,
"Mlle Larivière, Lucette's governess. Her real name comes from rivière,
French for "river"."
Actually, Old McNab is having a go at Guy de Maupassant (Guillaume de
Monparnasse)and his 'worst short story ever written',
"La Parure" (usually trans as "The Diamond Necklace") in
which a young
functionary's wife borrows
a 'riviere de diamants' to wear to the ministry ball -- then loses it.
Hugs and kisses from vuvuzela-deafened Tom Rymour in Joburg.
All
private editorial communications, without exception, are read by both
co-editors.