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Kenny's Reviews > Pnin
Pnin
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“Some people—and I am one of them—hate happy ends. We feel cheated. Harm is the norm. Doom should not jam. The avalanche stopping in its tracks a few feet above the cowering village behaves not only unnaturally but unethically.”
Pnin ~~~ Vladimir Nabokov
I have never read anything like Pnin ~~ Vladimir Nabokov uses language like no other writer I've read before. I am riveted by both this book and Nabokov's writing.
The strength of Pnin is its title character, Russian emigrate and professor, Timofey Pnin. A protagonist could hardly be more charming and lovable; Pnin's cultural and linguistic difficulties in adapting to America afford Nabokov plenty of opportunity for jokes and puns. The novel is astoundingly amusing, and the prose a sheer delight.
Pnin ~~~ Vladimir Nabokov
I have never read anything like Pnin ~~ Vladimir Nabokov uses language like no other writer I've read before. I am riveted by both this book and Nabokov's writing.
The strength of Pnin is its title character, Russian emigrate and professor, Timofey Pnin. A protagonist could hardly be more charming and lovable; Pnin's cultural and linguistic difficulties in adapting to America afford Nabokov plenty of opportunity for jokes and puns. The novel is astoundingly amusing, and the prose a sheer delight.
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Reading Progress
July 27, 2009
– Shelved
September 1, 2009
–
Started Reading
September 5, 2009
–
Finished Reading
March 3, 2011
– Shelved as:
favorites
September 14, 2012
– Shelved as:
classics
January 5, 2015
– Shelved as:
россия
July 23, 2016
– Shelved as:
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Fionnuala
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Oct 03, 2016 11:29PM
I'm always happy when I see Pnin getting love and attention. Nabokov's other books tend to steal the limelight - which of course is apt enough in Pnin's world.
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It is a wonderful book Fionnuala. It is a quiet little book that sneaks up on you.
Kenny, agreed, Pnin is very, very good and Nabokov is a brilliant writer.
Greg wrote: "Kenny, agreed, Pnin is very, very good and Nabokov is a brilliant writer." Yes he is ~~ I'm planning on visiting Lolita this summer.
It sounds like a novel I would enjoy, I need to look it up.
Ivana wrote: "It sounds like a novel I would enjoy, I need to look it up."It's a wonderful read, Ivana.
Hi, Kenny. I like your comments. I will certainly read this book. I only know Lolita. But the provocative character of this novel overshadows his brilliant style that I had well noticed also.
Markus wrote: "Hi, Kenny. I like your comments. I will certainly read this book. I only know Lolita. But the provocative character of this novel overshadows his brilliant style that I had well noticed also."
Let know what you think of PNIN Markus. I loved it.
This was the only Nabokov I read when I went on a 'Russian bent' in reading. I loved the book! Great review.
David wrote: "This was the only Nabokov I read when I went on a 'Russian bent' in reading. I loved the book! Great review."Thank you, David,
I start reading this book but after 25 pages i don't like the story....I think the story of the book is boring...
Now, I don't know what to do: continue or stop reading😞😟
Fatemeh980 wrote: "I start reading this book but after 25 pages i don't like the story....I think the story of the book is boring...
Now, I don't know what to do: continue or stop reading😞😟"
If you don't like the story move on. It will not change much. Find something you love to read.
Mmm..Yeh
I try to read but if i don't like the story again, i stop that.
Thanks🌹
I'm yet to read Pnin, Kenny. Currently reading Lolita by him.
Gaurav wrote: "I'm yet to read Pnin, Kenny. Currently reading Lolita by him."Are you enjoying it?
Wonderful, Kenny. I loved Pnin when I read it one languid March break away at uni. How like Pnin I was then - so I loved it. Stuck in my own complexities, like Pnin - & Mallarme’s La Cygne!
Fergus wrote: "Wonderful, Kenny. I loved Pnin when I read it one languid March break away at uni. How like Pnin I was then - so I loved it. Stuck in my own complexities, like Pnin - & Mallarme’s La Cygne!"I will always love this book. I wish it were better known. Some weekend when I am alone and blue I shall read it once more.
I have this one sitting on the shelf.
Nocturnalux wrote: "I have this one sitting on the shelf."Take it down and read it!!!
Mirko wrote: "Just came across your review; I have Pnin sitting on my shelf for ages. Picked it up here and there, only to read something else instead and eventually it fell down the to read list. The quote though, put it back on top. :)"Did you ever get to Pnin?
Nice one Kenny I have just this afternoon started Lolita my first by this author. His writing has me already!
Mark wrote: "Nice one Kenny I have just this afternoon started Lolita my first by this author. His writing has me already!"You're in for a treat. I read Lolita this year and loved it. Pnin is the perfect book to read next as you explore Nabokov.
Kenny -wonderful review. So glad at age 74, to have read it. Would I be wrong in thinking it’s his greatest work?
Larry wrote: "Kenny -wonderful review. So glad at age 74, to have read it. Would I be wrong in thinking it’s his greatest work?"Thank you, Larry. You would not be wrong. I often think Pnin is Nabokov's greatest work.
I started but never finished this one. I had just read "Laughter in the Dark" and decided two Nabokovs in a row would be overkill (stupid, I know!). Glad to see your review and get the reminder to get it back on the list!
Nathan wrote: "I started but never finished this one. I had just read "Laughter in the Dark" and decided two Nabokovs in a row would be overkill (stupid, I know!). Glad to see your review and get the reminder to get it back on the list!"I don't disagree with two Nabokovs in a row would be overkill . I read the complete short stories of Nabokov two summers ago; it was overkill for me.
