One of my aims during any of our club weeks is to read as many books as possible that I already own; and I actually think I may succeed with 1936! In today’s post, I want to focus on three short stories I’ve recently read by a prose master – Vladimir Nabokov. He’s another who’s often featured on the Ramblings, but I haven’t picked up one of his works for a while. There are no novels from 1936, but a rummage around online and in my very large “Collected Stories” volume revealed three short stories which are probably from our year. I say probably, because there’s always a vagueness about publication dates; however, these are identified as 1936 in several places so I’ve read them and shall count them!
The three stories are “The Circle“, “Spring in Fialta” and “Mademoiselle O“; the first two were written in Russian and translated (I believe) by Dmitri Nabokov and the author; the final story was originally written in French and I’m unclear about translation though it may have been by Nabokov himself.
One is always at home in one’s past…
Where to start with the stories? Nabokov is such a brilliant writer that I feel a little inadequate trying to cover his work, and these three stories may be short but they’re little gems of genius. The first two stories, in fact, have thematic similarities in that they’re both suffused with a sense of nostalgia and look at lost loves over a period of time. “The Circle” is quite marvellously constructed and explores a young man’s fascination with the daughter of local gentry, and how their lives touch again at a later date. In “Spring in Fialta“, the first-person narrator recalls his encounters over the years with the beautiful Nina, in the old country and then the various new ones. Each of these stories is dripping with atmosphere, full of longing for the past, and chock-full of emotions of exile. The final story, “Mademoiselle O“, is one that Nabokov acknowledges as drawing directly from his life, and is his portrait memoir of a governess who was with him and his family for a number of years.
…he particularly prided himself on being a weaver of words, a title he valued higher than that of a writer; personally, I never could understand what was the good of thinking up books, of penning things that had not really happened in some way or other; and I remember once saying to him as I braved the mockery of his encouraging nods that, were I a writer, I should allow only my heart to have imagination, and for the rest rely on memory, that long-drawn sunset shadow of one’s personal truth.
What the three stories have in common, apart from marvellous writing, is a really aching sense of loss. Nabokov and his characters are obviously haunted by their past, and it continues to control their present in many ways. But what hit me most when reading these stories was the sheer brilliance of Nabokov’s writing; his prose and descriptions are just stunning, the construction of the stories brilliant, and the way he deals with the time shifts in his stories magisterial. “The Circle” has a particularly clever structure, about which I will say nothing because I urge you to read his short stories – the man was a genius, dammit!!!
Reading short stories always presents problems, particularly when you’re faced with a massive collected volume; if you read the lot through, you risk losing the individuality of each story; but if you decide to just pick and choose randomly, you might lose focus or let the book slip off the immediate TBR. So having a reading event like the #1936Club was the perfect impetus to get me picking up Nabokov’s short works, and I’m so glad I did. These stories were absolutely stunning, and I shall have to try not to leave it too long before I get back to his longer works!
Anthony
Apr 16, 2021 @ 07:06:57
There was a time when I loved Nabokov’s work, but I got to a point that I felt manipulated, that the work was too contrived, but I must revisit with more compassion for his puppetry and just wallow in the beauty of his prose.
MarinaSofia
Apr 16, 2021 @ 09:03:21
Hear, hear! Yes, I have become less enthused by Nabokov. I mean, other authors are manipulative as well, but they do it more discreetly and I only notice it afterwards perhaps, not while reading.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 16, 2021 @ 11:07:31
I guess you *could* argue that all authors control and manipulate to a greater or lesser extent – but as I’ve said, I would forgive Nabokov much because of the beauty of his prose!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 16, 2021 @ 11:06:05
I know what you mean – there is always a sense of control with Nabokov, as if he’s only revealing as much as he wants to and sometimes making it difficult for the reader. However, I must admit the writing here really knocked me out and I would forgive him much for that!
Tredynas Days
Apr 16, 2021 @ 07:33:16
I have that edition of the stories. Devoured them some years ago. His fiction is beautifully crafted, but can seem contrived or mandarin – manipulative, as Anthony says. Best just to wallow.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 16, 2021 @ 11:06:39
Yes, wallow in the language is the best way I think – and accept that you’re being controlled by a master storyteller! ;D
madamebibilophile
Apr 16, 2021 @ 07:43:25
It’s so hard to review short story collections but you gave such a good sense of these. I want to read more Nabokov, I’ve never really got round to him somehow.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 16, 2021 @ 11:10:09
I definitely think dipping might be the way with these. I think if I tried to read a lot in one go the richness would overwhelm a bit. Nabokov’s prose is beautiful and often complex, and short stories are perhaps a good way to explore his writing!
literarygitane
Apr 16, 2021 @ 13:44:42
I have the entire Nabokov collection of short stories at home and dip into them from time to time. His prose is simply exquisite. The short story is a genre I enjoy. I’ll make sure and check out these three stories. Thanks!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 16, 2021 @ 18:54:29
You’re quite right – his prose is stunning, isn’t it? Maybe in concentrated short story form it stands out more – definitely want to read more of them!
Simon T
Apr 16, 2021 @ 14:05:26
Your short story idea for this club has worked really well! I haven’t read any of Nabaokov’s, but that small number of writers who were truly brilliant at the short story are really to be treasured.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 16, 2021 @ 18:53:50
It has – there were writers I wanted to read but simply didn’t have time for a novel, so a short story or two scratched the itch. These turned out to be particularly outstanding, and I’m really hoping the rest of his short stories live up to these!
Joachim Boaz
Apr 16, 2021 @ 16:03:38
I’ve never read any of his short stores — I devoured tons of his novels in my late teens (from Bend Sinister to Laughter in the Dark — but not Lolita)
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 16, 2021 @ 18:52:07
I’ve read a good few of his novels and love his writing. These are very special too, and I do hope to get back to reading his longer works soon – I still have plenty lurking!
Janakay | YouMightAsWellRead
Apr 16, 2021 @ 17:22:34
I love your enthusiasm for Nabokov — I immediately raced to my own collection of his stories to see if it included the three you discuss (it does!). Nabokov is
a writer whom I haven’t much explored, beyond reading Lolita at an age when I was unable to graps what he was doing. I think I’ve found him somewhat intimidating and that luscious prose a bit overwhelming (I’ve had Speak, Memory on my TBR forever). Perhaps a short story or two would be a good way to dip my toe into the waters, so to speak!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 16, 2021 @ 18:51:05
Excellent! So glad you have these! I definitely think short stories would be a good way to explore his work – the prose *can* sometimes become a little rich when reading a novel, but these were just perfect. Happy reading!
Janakay | YouMightAsWellRead
Apr 17, 2021 @ 11:31:00
Being between books at the moment and undecided about my next novel, I spent yesterday afternoon reading these three short stories. My immediate “take”: wow! (make this all caps and add another exclamation point or two). You definitely did not oversell these stories. If I had read more of Nabokov’s work, I might be more attuned to the manipulative quality noted in certain of the comments but I must say I was too bowled over by the incredible richness of style and mastery of mood to notice this. I think I’ll keep my collection handy for the occasional dip, as I don’t think I could read more than one or two of these stories at a sitting — it would be like eating an enormous box of chocolate truffles in one go!
One thing I didn’t expect but perhaps should have was the wonderful malice Nabokov displayed here and there, particularly in his description of Ferdie in Springtime . . . I enjoyed it enormously!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 17, 2021 @ 11:34:39
Ah, so glad you were impressed! Yes, the prose is incredible and he’s just brilliant at capturing place, time, ambience et al. Yes, perhaps manipulative, but then in a way what author isn’t?
But I think you’re right about dipping – the prose *is* rich and best spaced out for treating oneself with. As for the malice – Nabokov can be wonderfully sharp, can’t he? I love how he skewers a character he doesn’t like! 😀
Liz Dexter
Apr 16, 2021 @ 19:11:33
A good idea to pick up some stories. And thank you for the Club – I really enjoyed reading my book and it was fun encountering my dear friend Bridget on Simon’s blog!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 16, 2021 @ 19:33:07
Yes, short stories have been ideal this week. And I’m so glad you’ve had fun and could take part! 😀
heavenali
Apr 16, 2021 @ 19:42:36
The only Nabakov I have read is Lolita, many moons ago. I think it put me off reading more. However, I really like the sound of these stories. Although there is something about him that makes me go ugh!! Which is probably because of Lolita and is probably unfair as I know nothing about the man himself.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 16, 2021 @ 19:47:45
Lol, I don’t know if I’d like Nabokov much as a person, but I do love his writing! And I don’t know that Lolita is typical. These short stories are quite wonderful, and might be a better place for you to go if you want to venture further with him!
#1936Club – links round-up – Stuck in a Book
Apr 16, 2021 @ 20:42:04
buriedinprint
Apr 20, 2021 @ 21:22:07
There have been a couple of long-form essays written by American women in recent years (one in the NYT just a couple of weeks ago, for instance) about reconciling the content of Lolita with the beauty of Nabokov’s prose and I really enjoyed reading them. I’m not naming them because there has also been, I believe, some discussion about whose ideas were whose, and interplay between the pieces (one, I believe, also not crediting where due?) and I don’t know enough about the details to choose the right one to promote…but it was a topic that I wanted to explore and I appreciated the chance to wander around the questions that I had circling in my mind too.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 21, 2021 @ 11:35:40
That’s interesting – I’ll see what I can search out. Lolita is such a difficult one (and I haven’t read it in decades) – the subject matter is reprehensible but N’s prose is glorious so what do you do? I’ll have a look!
buriedinprint
Apr 20, 2021 @ 21:22:47
Oops, I was trying to nest that comment in response to your’s and Ali’s above. Sorry!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 21, 2021 @ 11:34:27
No worries! 😀
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