tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023956444265128672.post8815131577012250985..comments2024-03-29T04:12:48.987+08:00Comments on The Reading Life: Pale Fire by Vladimir NabokovMel uhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08714473754458914681noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023956444265128672.post-73210763265891787162019-06-13T22:55:01.542+08:002019-06-13T22:55:01.542+08:00"Even if it is an elaborate joke it is still ...<i>"Even if it is an elaborate joke it is still a stunning work of art."</i><br /><br />I think it's more than an elaborate joke. Like Lolita, it's more like an elaborate riddle. <br /><br />https://palefireexplained.blogspot.com/2019/06/pale-fire.html <br /> <br />. Carl Luizhttps://wittevlinders.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023956444265128672.post-18471033650691240672010-11-05T23:01:37.057+08:002010-11-05T23:01:37.057+08:00I have read this novel a few years ago...two times...I have read this novel a few years ago...two times. It's a pretty smart novel but I think it's powershifting the readers. There are a lot of self-referential stuff, which is cool (takes tremendous efforts, but is cool nonetheless) but also some references stay unanswered and it's a bit frustrating.Benhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11483490020980574428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023956444265128672.post-40567795518453052542010-10-28T07:30:26.054+08:002010-10-28T07:30:26.054+08:00This is one Nabokov book that I have wanted to rea...This is one Nabokov book that I have wanted to read for a while. Thanks for the great review.(Diane) Bibliophile By the Seahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10519875632878992728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023956444265128672.post-86895892519831386532010-10-26T10:19:28.976+08:002010-10-26T10:19:28.976+08:00Amateur Reader-I found this information on eeggs.c...Amateur Reader-I found this information on eeggs.com regarding the Crown Jewels-it tends to confirm that Pale Fire is in part a private joke -<br /><br />One of the plot elements in Vladimir Nabokov's frolicksome novel, "Pale Fire," is the Crown Jewels of the kingdom of Zembla, hidden away during the upset of the revolution, and searched for by incompetent Russians who never find them. In the bizarre index to the book, prepared by its supposed author, the insane Charles Kinbote, when one comes to the entry, "Crown Jewels," it says "see Hiding Place;" and at "Hiding Place" it says "_potaynik_ (q.v.);" at _potaynik_ it says "_taynik_ (q.v.);" at _Taynik_ it says "Russ., secret place; see Crown Jewels." <br /><br />The book never does reveal where the Crown Jewels are hidden. <br /><br />In an interview, however, an interview given some years after the book was published, and printed as No. 6 in Nabokov's "Strong Opinions," the last question of the interviewer is "[W]here, please, are the crown jewels hidden.?" And VN replies, "In the ruins, sir, of some old barracks near Kobaltana (q.v.); but do not tell it to the Russians." <br /><br />If one consults the Index to "Pale Fire" one finds "Kobaltana," and reads: <br /><br />"_Kobaltana_, a once fashonable mountain resort near the ruins of some old barracks now a cold and desolate spot of difficult access and of no importance but still remembered in military families and forest castles, not in the text."Mel uhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08714473754458914681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023956444265128672.post-33052511617321688062010-10-26T10:16:16.632+08:002010-10-26T10:16:16.632+08:00Suko-thanks as always
Mystica-I hope to reread L...Suko-thanks as always <br /><br />Mystica-I hope to reread Lolita very soon<br /><br />Sherry=thanks-I just added this link to your blogMel uhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08714473754458914681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023956444265128672.post-31836138873318403762010-10-25T00:09:58.845+08:002010-10-25T00:09:58.845+08:00Oh, it definitely repays re-reading. Where are th...Oh, it definitely repays re-reading. Where are the Crown Jewels hidden? Just as a for example.Amateur Reader (Tom)https://www.blogger.com/profile/13675275555757408496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023956444265128672.post-6294499081690302042010-10-24T20:44:01.658+08:002010-10-24T20:44:01.658+08:00I too have only read Lolita and had to read it slo...I too have only read Lolita and had to read it slowly because I dont think I would have liked it if I rushed it. This is a new book for me so thanks for the post.Mysticahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10941269615559681014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023956444265128672.post-88717972220767535352010-10-24T11:22:27.886+08:002010-10-24T11:22:27.886+08:00Mel, I remember my father using the term 'pale...Mel, I remember my father using the term 'pale fire' in an amused manner quite a bit when I was a child. I knew it had something to do with stealing (in a way that maybe wasn't so terrible, that was perhaps expected, if that makes sense). I didn't know that it was the title of a brilliant book by Nabokov. <br /><br />Perfect quote at the beginning of your excellent review of this enigmatic book!Sukohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11893742747135555499noreply@blogger.com