Alexey: All of us bright young Brit Commies in the 50s knew of Boris Vian mainly (solely?) through his then-popular, anti-war, draft-burning song, Le Déserteur. At least two English versions of this song circulated during the Folk Revival and anti-Vietnam, anti-draft protests, one by Leon Rosselson (quod googlet.) Vian was prolific in many genres, including Jazz criticism. Reading reports of Vian’s Nabokovian wordplay a few years ago, I tried to order his surreal novel L'Écume des jours (1947) as listed on amazon at that time. After unusual delays, I was told it was no longer available from them in either French or English. You’ve reminded me to try again. Merci! What might excite you link-wise is that one English translation his novel is titled Mood Indigo, Foam of the Daze which rhymes with Home of the Haze. Spooky.
My best guess, close to certainty, judging from Nabokov’s views on Marxism, Sartre and Vietnam, is that would soon form strong negative opinions in the likely event that he did happen to read Vian or (almost certain) read of him. The anagrammatic coincidence you offer is unlikely to play a plausible role in resolving these factual probabilities.
Stan Kelly-Bootle.
PS: Arshavin continues to flourish at Arsenal FC.
On 10/03/2010 11:31, "Alexey Sklyarenko" <skylark05@MAIL.RU> wrote:
Dear all,
Does any of you know if Nabokov, who is believed to have read everything, ever read Boris Vian, a French writer (1920-59)? I'm asking because Vian = Ivan (vain, vina, niva...).
Alexey Sklyarenko