Status Updates From Pale Fire

'...marching nearer in iambic motion.'

this image <3

the commentary is such a drag, oh my days. I know that’s the point, but I think I’m done putting in so much effort – I’ll have to start skimming the more tiresome footnotes. I did not want to have to do this for my first Nabokov novel, especially as this one’s hailed as his magnum opus, but Kinbote is simply too frustrating!! Oh well, I swear I gave it my best shot 😭

Dios esto es infumable

Slow going on Pale Fire the past few days because I wanted to really engage with the titular poem. The cantos all come together into something poignant, personal, frequently beautiful, and occasionally funny. I think that Nabokov didn't have to work so hard for this book to work, but it's all the better for it. Some bits have me dreading Kinbote's commentary, and some have me excited for a laugh.