Ron Rosenbaum:"I've been
thinking of writing an essay about what might be called Nabokov Derangement
Syndrome. Which I would loosely define as the not-well examined phenomenon of
good, even great writers not being aware of the envy beneath their disparaging
remarks about VN. One could see it in those who denounced
<Laura> ...They were clearly elated to have some grounds to feel superior
momentarily to someone who was superior in finished work. Now I'm not one
to call VN perfect, but I recently came across quotes from Updike and Geoff Dyer
(I believe they were quoted in reviews republished on this list) whom I've
admired, taking shots at VN and his admirers. It must be galling to
be a writer of fiction and forever be condemned to be second (at least) to VN,
so it's not surprising, but I don't think the Syndrome's been pointed out, so
I'd be grateful for examples.
JM: Last week I re-read John
Updike's article (TNR, 1964) about the
English translation of "The Luzhin Defense,"
under his enthusiastic title: "Grandmaster Nabokov". I found
again his now classic observation: "Nabokov writes prose the only way
it should be written -- that is, ecstatically." However, he considers
that the novel's last chapters reveal Nabokov's youth at the time he
wrote it. He thinks there are too many clever tricks and artificial maneuvers.
On my part, I don't agree
with part of his crticisism, mainly in relation to Valentinov's re-insertion in
the plot, but his (and mine) opinions are personal reactions, not
universal truths (or falsehoods).
I enjoyed, in particular,
one of his assessments: "Nabokov was thirty, which is the age of
Luzhin...Like his hero, the author seems older; few Americans so young could
write a novel wherein the autobiographical elements are so cunningly rearranged
and transmuted by a fictional design, and the emotional content so obedient to
such cruelly ingenious commands, and the characterization so little colored by
indignation or the schock of discovery."
I can only vaguely remember what he wrote about TOoL a
few years ago, but I know that I share his
opinion about the inconveniences related to its posthumous widely
publicized edition. Ron Rosembaum's conclamation,
under the fascinating diagnostic of a "Nabokov Derangement Syndrome" is, in my
eyes, appallingly totalitarian, if he means to imply by it that everyone
who dislikes one, or more Nabokov novels would be moved
solely by envy - and must be dennounced as a green-eyed
deranged monster. I'm not overly fond of
every Updike novel but I profit a lot from them because of
his style, elegance and the ease with which he observes
and moves about America.