Washington, DC: Academica Press, 2026. 280pp, 14 illustrations.
The book offers a fresh perspective on certain aspects of Nabokov’s world of fiction. The analysis begins with the writer’s faith, viewed as the bedrock of his ethics. Consequently, all other themes discussed in Part I, from moral dilemmas to cruelty to animals, emanate from this source and intertwine into a unique moral system. A moralist, but not a moralizer, Nabokov encourages his readers, with whom he conducts a creative dialogue, to form their own opinions and to accept responsibility for their actions.
While the themes studied in Part I reflect Nabokov’s unique moral code, the devices examined in Part II, from chromesthesia and iconicity to upside down, highlight the writer’s desire to present a novel outlook on the surrounding world. Thus, Nabokov’s use of heretofore unexplored conceit showcases his extraordinary imaginative prowess, by dint of which he strives to surprise and to engage his readers more intensely. Furthermore, by forging highly intricate and astounding connections between different spheres of experience and knowledge, Nabokov motivates members of his audience to think outside the box and to make their own meaningful and unforgettable discoveries.
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