Scan barcode
A review by carmenx9
Ada, or Ardor: A Family Chronicle by Vladimir Nabokov
4.0
4.5 stars, but giving it 4 because I am way too stupid for much of Nabokov's wordplay (aside from the ridiculous punning and self-conscious dad jokes), and this took me way too long to read.
I am sure I will get more out of it in 30 years, but what is here is exuberant and deeply, beautifully strange. The first parting, the second pre-duel letter, the end of Part 2's object transformation, and the bit before the reunion at the end of Part 3 absolutely blew me away. The alternate universe-esque setting added the required transformative magic and distance for this strange series of coincidence and profane love to keep dragging me back when the words gave me a headache. Also, absolute catnip for anyone who's studied Russian, German, and French enough to be dangerous but not enough to be good.
- for we are visitors and investigators in a strange universe, indeed, indeed.
I am sure I will get more out of it in 30 years, but what is here is exuberant and deeply, beautifully strange. The first parting, the second pre-duel letter, the end of Part 2's object transformation, and the bit before the reunion at the end of Part 3 absolutely blew me away. The alternate universe-esque setting added the required transformative magic and distance for this strange series of coincidence and profane love to keep dragging me back when the words gave me a headache. Also, absolute catnip for anyone who's studied Russian, German, and French enough to be dangerous but not enough to be good.
- for we are visitors and investigators in a strange universe, indeed, indeed.