Young Writers Society

So you're going on a Nabokov craze? Nice. I wish I was.

I guess that you could call it that. Yes, I'm going on a Nabokov craze.

I read "Lolita" a few months ago and like Humbert and his nymphets i was totally entranced by this book. I've been on a bit of a Russian kick recently, slowly working my way through the classics, and what really struck me was how vivid his language and imagery was. Although i love all the Russian authors i have read; Dostoyevsky, Gogol, Turgenev etc i have always felt that the actual language used was a little bland. Personally i put this down to translation, Nabokov is the only Russian author i have ever read who wrote in English, maybe I'm just not giving Nabokov enough credit and he is truly a standout Russian author, or maybe he is giving us a glimpse of how it is to read Russian literature in its mother tongue.

i have always felt that the actual language used was a little bland. Personally i put this down to translation

I also blame it on translation, and just like you I've been going on a bit of a Russian frenzy But, because of that, I'd like to learn Russian (or at least be able to read it). I've come to realize that the easiest way to ruin good fiction is in translation. Thats why Nabokov amazes me so much, he is "entrancing" with his English, but it isn't even his native language! That is beauty.

It's so perfectly written, written better than most could do if English was their first language.

But yes, wit the Russian classics, I put that all on the translation.

I have heard alot about it, so yes I read this one=) It is good! not the best, but deffinetely up there on my top 10 or so

keep writing and =) happy reading (=

That's just it, though. Nabokov translated Lolita into russian after it was published in English, so it could have nothing to do with translation.

EDIT: Never mind the above post.

I've never read an english translation of "Lolita" ( nor any other, lol, I'm finishing the polish one). -Though polish and russian are simillar, aren't they?

For now I can't say that I absolutely loved it (again, I haven't finihsed the book yet) but its not bad. Maybe in a couple of year it will seem better?

-elein.

You are reading a polish version of Lolita?

Hmm... I hope its good. The whole wonder of Lolita is the way it is written, and translations always leave room for error and to make the books not as magical.

The best thing about Lolita is the way its written; the English version, since it is the original. I suggest you eventually read the English version

I finished Lolita a few months ago, it took me a little over two weeks because i was so into it. In fact it was the opening paragraph that did it for me. Also, I love books where the author uses language to hide vile or disgusting acts, pedophilia and child abduction don't seem so bad when its told by silver tongued poet Humbert Humbert.