Reading Nabokov ∞ Reading Boyd

RECENT THOUGHTS: ”I need to read more Nabokov before I read more Boyd. But, I need to read more Boyd in order to understand more Nabokov. But before I can make sense of Boyd I should probably read more Nabokov…oh but then…” 

We’re just at the half-way point in our reading of Stalking Nabokov. We’ve read a number of essays on a number of subjects: biography, metaphysics, butterflies, psychology, and we still have plenty to dig into. 

It has not been easy and to be honest I find myself only half-remembering what I’ve read thus far. Tiny slices of a much larger pie. A pie that’s too large to consume in one sitting. I think Brian was right (you don’t mind if I call you Brian) when he told me that I should read more Nabokov before I read more Boyd. 

This is not me conceding defeat, this is me acknowledging that this collection of essays is something I’ll have to return to at a future date. I plan to keep on pushing forward with my read but I’m making mental (as well as literal) bookmarks for a return trip. 

#NoteToSelf: (re)read ‘Stacks of Stories, Stories of Stacks (2010) pg. 123

The (re) is in parenthesis because I can barely call my encounter with this particular essay reading. Skimming is probably a better word. Skipping is probably the right word. 

But it’s ok. I’m not feeling too poorly about skipping this essay. Brian Boyd is a gifted writer whose knowledge on all things Nabokovian is far-reaching, but his writing style can be frustrating. I’m sure the frustration is entirely my own. I shall continue to push-forward. Despite my own difficulties, there are moments of pure joy, of revelation:

I’ve written the odd thing about Nabokov, but there are times when I don’t get to read him for a long stretch. Some chance circumstance or stray impulse will send my hand toward a page of Nabokov—I have a number of his books in my study—and I dip and purr and chuckle and wonder: Why does he write so well? Why is he so funny, line for line? ~ Nabokov’s Humour, pg. 145

Get out of my head Brian!

V.V.