On the cover of the 2008 Oneworld Classics edition of the English translation of Robbe-Grillet's La Joalousie [Jealousy] is a claim that Vladimir Nabokov said La Jalousie was "The finest novel about love since Proust".

 

I am familiar with Nabokov's praise of Robbe-Grillet in Strong Opinions, but I have never noticed this particular assertion, nor can I find it on a quick re-scan of its pages. I do not think I would have forgotten this if I had read it.

 

I should be most grateful if any kind person could tell me where and when Nabokov said this, if indeed he did.

 

Incidentally, since in a filmed discussion, available online, he agreed with Lionel Trilling that Lolita was about love, if he did say this about Robbe-Grillet's book it would imply that he was saying La Jalousie was a finer novel, or at least a finer novel about love, than Lolita. This would be remarkable, if true.

 

Anthony Stadlen