Natasha's Dance, page 105
The other source of Rachmaninov’s nostalgia was his longing for the Russian land. He yea
The other source of Rachmaninov’s nostalgia was his longing for the Russian land. He yea
contained his childhood and romantic memories. In 1910, the estate became his own throug
contained his childhood and romantic memories. In 1910, the estate became his own throug
contained his childhood and romantic memories. In 1910, the estate became his own throug
39
40
41
Financial hardship forced Rachmaninov, at the age of forty-five, to start a new career as a
Financial hardship forced Rachmaninov, at the age of forty-five, to start a new career as a
Financial hardship forced Rachmaninov, at the age of forty-five, to start a new career as a
42
In America, where they bought their first home in 1921, and then in France and Switzerland
In America, where they bought their first home in 1921, and then in France and Switzerland
In America, where they bought their first home in 1921, and then in France and Switzerland
samovar
Russian atmosphere the couple re-created there was described by their American friends,
Russian atmosphere the couple re-created there was described by their American friends,
Russian atmosphere the couple re-created there was described by their American friends,
The chateau-like house, Le Pavilion, protected from the street by a solid wrought fence
The chateau-like house, Le Pavilion, protected from the street by a solid wrought fence
The chateau-like house, Le Pavilion, protected from the street by a solid wrought fence
43
Gradually, as the old routines of Ivanovka were resumed, Rachmaninov returned to compo
Gradually, as the old routines of Ivanovka were resumed, Rachmaninov returned to compo
Gradually, as the old routines of Ivanovka were resumed, Rachmaninov returned to compo
dwell
Three Russian Songs
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3
3
3
3
3
’Our tragedy’, wrote Nina Berberova of the younger exiled writers in the 1920s, was ‘our i
’Our tragedy’, wrote Nina Berberova of the younger exiled writers in the 1920s, was ‘our i
’Our tragedy’, wrote Nina Berberova of the younger exiled writers in the 1920s, was ‘our i
45
hence, in some ways, abandoning Russia? The problem mainly affected the younger generat
hence, in some ways, abandoning Russia? The problem mainly affected the younger generat
hence, in some ways, abandoning Russia? The problem mainly affected the younger generat
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Scattered in bookshops, greyed by dust and time, Unseen, unsought, unopened, and unsold,
Scattered in bookshops, greyed by dust and time, Unseen, unsought, unopened, and unsold,
Scattered in bookshops, greyed by dust and time, Unseen, unsought, unopened, and unsold,
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Even Miliukov, former statesman, historian and editor of the Parisian journal Posled
Even Miliukov, former statesman, historian and editor of the Parisian journal Posled
Even Miliukov, former statesman, historian and editor of the Parisian journal Posled
Poslednie novosti,
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Nabokov was the first major writer to complete this literary metamorphosis. According t
Nabokov was the first major writer to complete this literary metamorphosis. According t
Nabokov was the first major writer to complete this literary metamorphosis. According t
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publication of his first great novel, The Luzhin Defence, in 1930, ‘a great Russian writer
publication of his first great novel, The Luzhin Defence, in 1930, ‘a great Russian writer
publication of his first great novel, The Luzhin Defence, in 1930, ‘a great Russian writer
The Luzhin Defence,
50
Exile was Nabokov’s omnipresent theme, though he discovered the ‘sorrows and delights of
Exile was Nabokov’s omnipresent theme, though he discovered the ‘sorrows and delights of
Exile was Nabokov’s omnipresent theme, though he discovered the ‘sorrows and delights of
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Rul’
The Nabokov family was strongly Anglophile. Its mansion in St Petersburg was filled with
The Nabokov family was strongly Anglophile. Its mansion in St Petersburg was filled with
The Nabokov family was strongly Anglophile. Its mansion in St Petersburg was filled with
Speak, Memory:
Pears’ soap, tar-black when dry, topaz-like when held to the light between wet fingers, took
Pears’ soap, tar-black when dry, topaz-like when held to the light between wet fingers, took
Pears’ soap, tar-black when dry, topaz-like when held to the light between wet fingers, took
cream, so we improved the tube,’ said the English toothpaste. At breakfast, Golden Syrup
cream, so we improved the tube,’ said the English toothpaste. At breakfast, Golden Syrup
cream, so we improved the tube,’ said the English toothpaste. At breakfast, Golden Syrup
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Nabokov was taught to read English before he could read his native tongue. He and his brot
Nabokov was taught to read English before he could read his native tongue. He and his brot
Nabokov was taught to read English before he could read his native tongue. He and his brot
Little Lord Fauntleroy;
Les Malbeurs de Sophie, Le Tour du Monde en Quatre-vingts Jours
Le Comte de Monte Cristo.
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The Empyrean Path
From the Crimea the family sailed to England, where Nabokov completed his education at T
From the Crimea the family sailed to England, where Nabokov completed his education at T
From the Crimea the family sailed to England, where Nabokov completed his education at T
Speak, Memory
* Nabokov later identified R. A. (‘Rab’) Butler, the future Tory Deputy Prime Minister
* Nabokov later identified R. A. (‘Rab’) Butler, the future Tory Deputy Prime Minister
* Nabokov later identified R. A. (‘Rab’) Butler, the future Tory Deputy Prime Minister
Speak, Memory
Nabokov: The Russian Years
a Russian writer’, he recalled. ‘I had the feeling that Cambridge and all its famed featu
a Russian writer’, he recalled. ‘I had the feeling that Cambridge and all its famed featu
a Russian writer’, he recalled. ‘I had the feeling that Cambridge and all its famed featu
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The focus of Nabokov’s longing for Russia was the family estate at Vyra, near St Petersbu
The focus of Nabokov’s longing for Russia was the family estate at Vyra, near St Petersbu
The focus of Nabokov’s longing for Russia was the family estate at Vyra, near St Petersbu
Speak, Memory
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Speak, Memory
The following passage is not for the general reader, but for the particular idiot who, be
The following passage is not for the general reader, but for the particular idiot who, be
The following passage is not for the general reader, but for the particular idiot who, be
My old (since 1917) quarrel with the Soviet dictatorship is wholly unrelated to any ques
My old (since 1917) quarrel with the Soviet dictatorship is wholly unrelated to any ques
My old (since 1917) quarrel with the Soviet dictatorship is wholly unrelated to any ques
And finally: I reserve for myself the right to yearn after an ecological niche:
And finally: I reserve for myself the right to yearn after an ecological niche:
And finally: I reserve for myself the right to yearn after an ecological niche:
… Beneath the sky Of my America to sigh For one locality in Russia.
… Beneath the sky Of my America to sigh For one locality in Russia.
… Beneath the sky Of my America to sigh For one locality in Russia.
one
The general reader may now resume.56
The general reader may now resume.56
The general reader may now resume.56
56
From the gloom of Cambridge - where the porridge at breakfast in Trinity College was ‘as
From the gloom of Cambridge - where the porridge at breakfast in Trinity College was ‘as
From the gloom of Cambridge - where the porridge at breakfast in Trinity College was ‘as
Mother, dear, yesterday I woke up in the middle of the night and asked someone - I don’t kno
Mother, dear, yesterday I woke up in the middle of the night and asked someone - I don’t kno
Mother, dear, yesterday I woke up in the middle of the night and asked someone - I don’t kno
-
divine park at Vyra - but no one can understand this. How little we valued our paradise! - w
divine park at Vyra - but no one can understand this. How little we valued our paradise! - w
divine park at Vyra - but no one can understand this. How little we valued our paradise! - w
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This nostalgia for Vyra was the inspiration for Speak, Memory, in which he lovingly descri
This nostalgia for Vyra was the inspiration for Speak, Memory, in which he lovingly descri
This nostalgia for Vyra was the inspiration for Speak, Memory, in which he lovingly descri
Speak, Memory,
Exile is a leitmotif throughout Nabokov’s works. Mary, his first novel, published in Ber
Exile is a leitmotif throughout Nabokov’s works. Mary, his first novel, published in Ber
Exile is a leitmotif throughout Nabokov’s works. Mary, his first novel, published in Ber
Mary,
Glory
The Gift
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The Gift
Glory
Pale Fire
Pale Fire
1. The image of Zembla must creep up on the reader very gradually… 4. Nobody knows, nobody
1. The image of Zembla must creep up on the reader very gradually… 4. Nobody knows, nobody
1. The image of Zembla must creep up on the reader very gradually… 4. Nobody knows, nobody
5. Zembla and its characters should remain in a fluid misty condition…
5. Zembla and its characters should remain in a fluid misty condition…
5. Zembla and its characters should remain in a fluid misty condition…
6. We do not even know whether Zembla is pure invention or a kind of lyrical simile of Rus
6. We do not even know whether Zembla is pure invention or a kind of lyrical simile of Rus
6. We do not even know whether Zembla is pure invention or a kind of lyrical simile of Rus
Zemlya
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In the first of Nabokov’s English-language novels, The Real Life of Sebastian Knight (194
In the first of Nabokov’s English-language novels, The Real Life of Sebastian Knight (194
In the first of Nabokov’s English-language novels, The Real Life of Sebastian Knight (194
The Real Life of Sebastian Knight
European Nights
Nabokov’s switch from writing in Russian to writing in English is a complicated story inti
Nabokov’s switch from writing in Russian to writing in English is a complicated story inti
Nabokov’s switch from writing in Russian to writing in English is a complicated story inti
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61
Lolita,
abandon my natural idiom, my untrammelled, rich and infinitely docile Russian tongue f
abandon my natural idiom, my untrammelled, rich and infinitely docile Russian tongue f
abandon my natural idiom, my untrammelled, rich and infinitely docile Russian tongue f
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But even if such claims were a form of affectation, his achievement is undeniable. It i
But even if such claims were a form of affectation, his achievement is undeniable. It i
But even if such claims were a form of affectation, his achievement is undeniable. It i
him’, but he had embraced ‘an English which he then proceeded to wield and bend to his will un
him’, but he had embraced ‘an English which he then proceeded to wield and bend to his will un
him’, but he had embraced ‘an English which he then proceeded to wield and bend to his will un
un manage de raison
manage de raison
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Until the Revolution destroyed his plans, Nabokov had set out to become the next Pushkin.
Until the Revolution destroyed his plans, Nabokov had set out to become the next Pushkin.
Until the Revolution destroyed his plans, Nabokov had set out to become the next Pushkin.
in vacuo
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65
The need for an audience was the fundamental motive of Nabokov’s switch. As he himself ex
The need for an audience was the fundamental motive of Nabokov’s switch. As he himself ex
The need for an audience was the fundamental motive of Nabokov’s switch. As he himself ex
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Berlin was a particularly difficult place to live, as thousands of Russians fled the city
Berlin was a particularly difficult place to live, as thousands of Russians fled the city
Berlin was a particularly difficult place to live, as thousands of Russians fled the city
Hitler’s department for emigre affairs. Nabokov searched in desperation for an academ
Hitler’s department for emigre affairs. Nabokov searched in desperation for an academ
Hitler’s department for emigre affairs. Nabokov searched in desperation for an academ
The Real Life of Sebastian Knight,
Nabokov’s passage to New York had been arranged by Alexandra Tolstoy, the novelist’s daug
Nabokov’s passage to New York had been arranged by Alexandra Tolstoy, the novelist’s daug
Nabokov’s passage to New York had been arranged by Alexandra Tolstoy, the novelist’s daug
Novoe russkoe slovo (New Russian Word)
Lolita,
Pnin
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* Nabokov pere was famous for his finely tailored English suits, which he wore, without
* Nabokov pere was famous for his finely tailored English suits, which he wore, without
* Nabokov pere was famous for his finely tailored English suits, which he wore, without
pere
Na putiakh k svobode
’America is my home now,’ Nabokov said in interviews in 1964. ‘I am an American writer.’69
’America is my home now,’ Nabokov said in interviews in 1964. ‘I am an American writer.’69
’America is my home now,’ Nabokov said in interviews in 1964. ‘I am an American writer.’69
69
Lolita),
70
Lolita
Look at the Harlequins!
71
Pnin
72
Nabokov’s anti-Soviet politics were at the core of his Americanism. He sided with McCarth
Nabokov’s anti-Soviet politics were at the core of his Americanism. He sided with McCarth
Nabokov’s anti-Soviet politics were at the core of his Americanism. He sided with McCarth
I can understand denying one’s principles in one exceptional case: if they told me that tho
I can understand denying one’s principles in one exceptional case: if they told me that tho
I can understand denying one’s principles in one exceptional case: if they told me that tho
one
All that remains is to outline a classification of the emigration. I distinguish fiv
All that remains is to outline a classification of the emigration. I distinguish fiv
All that remains is to outline a classification of the emigration. I distinguish fiv
1. The philistine majority, who dislike the Bolsheviks for taking from them their little
1. The philistine majority, who dislike the Bolsheviks for taking from them their little
1. The philistine majority, who dislike the Bolsheviks for taking from them their little
2. Those who dream of pogroms and a Rumanian Tsar, and now fraternize with the Soviets be
2. Those who dream of pogroms and a Rumanian Tsar, and now fraternize with the Soviets be
2. Those who dream of pogroms and a Rumanian Tsar, and now fraternize with the Soviets be
3. Fools.
3. Fools.
3. Fools.
4. Those who ended up across the border by inertia, vulgarians and careerists who pursue
4. Those who ended up across the border by inertia, vulgarians and careerists who pursue
4. Those who ended up across the border by inertia, vulgarians and careerists who pursue
5. Decent freedom-loving people, the old guard of the Russian intelligentsia, who unsha
5. Decent freedom-loving people, the old guard of the Russian intelligentsia, who unsha
5. Decent freedom-loving people, the old guard of the Russian intelligentsia, who unsha
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Nabokov placed himself in the final category. In his courses on Russian literature he r
Nabokov placed himself in the final category. In his courses on Russian literature he r
Nabokov placed himself in the final category. In his courses on Russian literature he r
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Dr Zhivago
Lolita
The Gulag Archipelago
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* Nabokov was normally dismissive of Akhmatova and of the many female imitators of her
* Nabokov was normally dismissive of Akhmatova and of the many female imitators of her
* Nabokov was normally dismissive of Akhmatova and of the many female imitators of her
Pnin
’I have put on a dark dress And am more modest than a nun; An ivory crucifix Is over my cold be
’I have put on a dark dress And am more modest than a nun; An ivory crucifix Is over my cold be
’I have put on a dark dress And am more modest than a nun; An ivory crucifix Is over my cold be
But the lights of fabulous orgies Burn through my oblivion, And I whisper the name Geor
