Lectures on Russian Literature [Paperback]

Vladimir Nabokov (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0156495910 | ISBN-13: 978-0156495912 | Publication Date: September 30, 1982

The author’s observations on the great nineteenth-century Russian writers-Chekhov, Dostoevsky, Gogol, Gorky, Tolstoy, and Turgenev. “This volume... never once fails to instruct and stimulate. This is a great Russian talking of great Russians” (Anthony Burgess). Edited and with an Introduction by Fredson Bowers; illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Vladimir Nabokov (1899-1977), Russian-born poet, novelist, literary critic, translator, and essayist was awarded the National Medal for Literature for his life's work in 1973. He taught literature at Wellesley, Stanford, Cornell, and Harvard. He is the author of many works including Lolita, Pale Fire, Ada, and Speak, Memory.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Mariner Books (September 30, 1982)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0156495910
• ISBN-13: 978-0156495912
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #926,103 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars For The Unitiated English Lit Major, December 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Lectures on Russian Literature (Paperback)

For the uninitiated English Lit major this book along with Nabokov's Lecture's on Literature are indispensable reading, indispensable because Nabokov, unlike a slew of scholars working in the field today, has very specific views with regards to what literature is and what it is not.

9 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Keyword is Literature, April 7, 2000

By 

avch - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lectures on Russian Literature (Paperback)

For western people Russia still seems too exotic to distinguish details. By this cause "Russian Literature" often is heard as something like "Japan theatre". This book is true guide into most developed Russian art represented with 3 greate (Gogol, Tolstoy, Chekhov) and 3 other popular (Dostoyevskiy, Turgenev, Gorkiy) writers.
If you are interesting into souvenirs you don't need to read these lectures. But if you usually read Dickens or Joyce and want to continue your investigations then Nabokov's guide is what you exactly want. It is not for tourists. Keyword is not Russia, but Literature.