Vladimir (mecha_yota) Altukhov’s Reviews > The Stories of Vladimir Nabokov > Status Update

Russian Spoken Here - 2/5
Sounds - 3.5/5
Gods - 4/5
The Wood-Sprite - 3/5
The Word - 3.5/5
Wingstroke - 4/5
Revenge - 2.5/5
Beneficence - 3.5/5
The Seaport - 3/5
A Matter of Chance - 3.5/5

Reached the part I stopped at last time.

Christmas

Yet another great story. My man, how can you call Russian inexpressive and dull after creating such emotional, touching masterpieces? I rarely cry after reading, but this tale managed to break me all right. Perhaps, due to it being too relatable.

Terror

Amazing depiction of the state of depersonalization/derealization. Didn't expect Nabokov to provide me with a resource material on that topic.

Revenge

Another revenge tale, but this time around, it's more grounded. Although it does slightly rely on supernatural element--ghosts.

I don't feel like this story has much to offer, especially compared to Wingstroke. As if it lacks something.

It was all right, I guess. Can't say it impressed me greatly. So, in terms of recommendation, it's a maybe.

Wingstroke

"Da fuck did I just read?"--the best way to summarize my first reaction.

Finally, a story to ponder on. What initially looked as a typical romance tale with the grain of suicidal motives, turned into a maddening, unexplainable mess, leaving me dumbfounded and speechless.

There's definitely some symbolism hidden, and for that reason, the story requires a second reading.

A recommendation.

The Wood-Sprite and The Word

They were alright. Nabokov once again touches upon the subject of "being evicted" from Russia and how Soviets are "bad uuuuu".

Not really a fan of that, but I did like the approach he chose: 1) with the fairy-tale fleeing the country alongside émigrés; 2) with the protagonist talking to angels about how to save the country (open ending included.)

Russian Spoken Here - meh. This one could be viewed as a depiction of human's cruelty. But I'm pretty sure it's not.

Sounds - good. Beautifully written, it creates a detailed vision of the events described.

Gods - aesthetic perfection. It feels as a sequel to Signs and Symbols with the parents trying to deal with the loss of their son.