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The Real Life of Sebastian Knight

By Vlkadimir Nabokov

(9)

| Paperback | 9780141185996

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Book Description

"Nabokov writes prose the only way it should be written, that is, ecstatically." -- John Updike

The Real Life of Sebastian Knight is a perversely magical literary detective story -- subtle, intricate, leading to a tantalizing climax -- about the mysterious life of a famous writer. Many peopleContinue

"Nabokov writes prose the only way it should be written, that is, ecstatically." -- John Updike

The Real Life of Sebastian Knight is a perversely magical literary detective story -- subtle, intricate, leading to a tantalizing climax -- about the mysterious life of a famous writer. Many people knew things about Sebastian Knight as a distinguished novelist, but probably fewer than a dozen knew of the two love affairs that so profoundly influenced his career, the second one in such a disastrous way. After Knight's death, his half brother sets out to penetrate the enigma of his life, starting with a few scanty clues in the novelist's private papers. His search proves to be a story as intriguing as any of his subject's own novels, as baffling, and, in the end, as uniquely rewarding.

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  • i am quite in love with nabokov, and he is one of the few authors of whom i like to say "i like everything he has written". partially, because he is always surprising, for the language and the way his intelligence springs up from the page at every turn, but also for the unexpected stories he decide ... (continue)

    i am quite in love with nabokov, and he is one of the few authors of whom i like to say "i like everything he has written". partially, because he is always surprising, for the language and the way his intelligence springs up from the page at every turn, but also for the unexpected stories he decides to weave in front of the readers eyes. in this volume, he conjures up someone we will never meet (the deceased imaginary author sebastian knight) but grow to like and feel frustrated about while his half brother looks for him in the hope of writing his biography. some pages are supremely moving, and yet he never seems to strive artificially to create touching situations. what a master.

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    ilariainthelibrary said on Jan 29, 2010 | Add your feedback

  • This is a strange novel, full of typical Nabokov style language and thought patterns which enhance the story, but which failed to produce any sort of basic response from me. It is a dream, a fantasy, a wandering down long passages which end in a destination not thought of before. What was Nabokov tr ... (continue)

    This is a strange novel, full of typical Nabokov style language and thought patterns which enhance the story, but which failed to produce any sort of basic response from me. It is a dream, a fantasy, a wandering down long passages which end in a destination not thought of before. What was Nabokov trying to achieve, I wonder? I failed to understand his objective, aim, or purpose.

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    GraJon said on Aug 2, 2008 about the Hardcover edition | Add your feedback

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