Vladimir Nabokov

Anecdote about Nabokov and Ayn Rand

By tom_ribitzky, 11 January, 2020

A few years ago, I remember reading an anecdote about how Nabokov was asked what he thought of Ayn Rand. He said he was hardly familiar with her, but would be glad to teach her how to write :) I was wondering if anyone happened to know the source of this anecdote so that I can cite it? I can't remember where I read it, but any leads would be appreciated. Thanks!

Shakeeb_Arzoo

4 years 2 months ago

I reach for the heaviest volumes of Nabokov, when asked for quotations -- but I can't locate anything. I don't remember any direct quote about this. Atlas Shrugged and Lolita was on the Best Sellers List at the time so it seems probable but neither Boyd's VNRY and VNAY or anyone else (D. Barton Johnson) has this anecdote. Although it sounds like what VN would say, I'm not familiar with this.

Possibly apocryphal??

SA