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The Real Life of Sebastian Knight Audiobook
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(3.02) - 2,049 listener ratings
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The Real Life of Sebastian Knight, the first novel Nabokov wrote in English, is a tantalizing literary mystery in which a writer’s half brother searches to unravel the enigma of the life of the famous author of Albinos in Black, The Back of the Moon, and Doubtful Asphodel. A characteristically cunning play on identity and deception, the novel concludes “ I am Sebastian, or Sebastian is I, or perhaps we both are someone whom neither of us knows.” One of the twentieth century’s master prose stylists, Vladimir Nabokov was born in St. Petersburg in 1899. He studied French and Russian literature at Trinity College, Cambridge, then lived in Berlin and Paris, where he launched a brilliant literary career. In 1940 he moved to the United States, and achieved renown as a novelist, poet, critic, and translator. He taught literature at Wellesley, Stanford, Cornell, and Harvard. In 1961 he moved to Montreux, Switzerland, where he died in 1977. “Witty and sad at the same time. Profound and dazzling." — Chicago Sun-Times
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"Nabokov's first foray into English, a story about a novelist, his brother, and the search to discover the 'real life' of the former. Nabokov's prove is not as sparkly as usual, as he is still becoming accustomed to English, but it still shines. Recommended to those who know the struggle of an artist's life, or Nabokov fans."
— Hadrian (4 out of 5 stars)
The Real Life of Sebastian Knight Listener Reviews
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" I finished reading this over a week ago, I'm a little in the dark on remembering much of it. I know that doesn't bode well for the book, or at least my reading of it, maybe. The book was good, I see why it gets all those literary recommendations as the word play is fun. Were I got lost, as in a 'who gives a shit' kind of way, is when the chapters turned into a rebuttal of other books on the life of Sebastian Knight. What glowed in the book was when the writer told stories, you felt the cold of Russia and the living with his brother. "
— Matt, 2/15/2014 -
" As soon as I was done I wanted to start reading it again, to pick up on all the little clues and puzzles that would make more sense the second time around. I think that's a pretty high recommendation. "
— Hamish, 1/31/2014 -
" The first english language novel by VN. overlooked but overwhelming moving. smokers beware! I read it when i was still smoking - final pages will stay with you like a horrible (yet true) dream. "
— George, 1/26/2014 -
" This is probably the lightest of the Nabokov books I've read. It's fun and distorted as usual. It's also touching and there's a bit of Nabokov's love for Sherlock Holmes in it. A strange mystery novel. "
— H., 1/21/2014 -
" Can compete with books like 1984 "
— Bertus, 1/1/2014 -
" A precursor of sorts to Pale Fire - not as rich but full of Nabokov's beguiling wit. "
— G, 12/24/2013 -
" very nice - unusual, philosophical, but at the same time about very everyday existence "
— Marat, 12/5/2013 -
" This amazing book tells the story of a man in search of his celebrated author brother's secret life in the months following his sudden death. As beautifully written as any Nabokov novel, and strangely unforgettable. "
— Nica, 11/22/2013 -
" Favorite novel of all time. "
— Kate, 11/22/2013 -
" Not quite on the same level as Lolita, Pale Fire, or even Despair--but still a great read. "
— R, 11/8/2013 -
" AMAZING. The last 2 pages are just mind blowing brilliance. "
— Emily, 11/1/2013 -
" Fictional book, but mirrors many parts of Vladimir's early life and a brother he didn't really know well. Read Speak, Memory to get the real story about his brother. "
— Hope, 5/12/2013 -
" gonna have to side with edmund wilson and say this is my favorite nabokov book ever. and i'm a girl who likes nabokov a ridiculous amount. don't care if its considered a trial run for pale fire, it pretty much owns most other 20th century lit. "
— Kate, 4/1/2013 -
" A clever conceit for a quasi-autobiographical novel: both fictional biographer and biographical subject as facets of the author's own persona. "
— Daniel, 1/28/2013 -
" "No Leslie, I am not dead. I have finished building a world, and this is my Sabbath rest." "
— and, 6/12/2012 -
" Of all the books by Nabokov that I've read, this was my favorite. "
— Geoff, 5/27/2012 -
" well - a classic I guess. Glad to have read it but did not take my breath away. "
— Susan, 1/30/2012 -
" This is the best kept secret among Nabokov's books. Cannot recommend it enough if you like Lolita. Nab does really well with first person narration and in the theme of doubles. "
— Dave, 11/20/2011 -
" A novel rather like Sebastian Knight himself, elegant and clever but aloof and cold. "
— David, 5/29/2011 -
" "No Leslie, I am not dead. I have finished building a world, and this is my Sabbath rest." "
— Hunter, 4/18/2011 -
" This is the best kept secret among Nabokov's books. Cannot recommend it enough if you like Lolita. Nab does really well with first person narration and in the theme of doubles. "
— Dave, 2/14/2011 -
" Fictional book, but mirrors many parts of Vladimir's early life and a brother he didn't really know well. Read Speak, Memory to get the real story about his brother. "
— Hope, 1/25/2011 -
" Nabokov is not one of my favorite authors, yet his writing and style, authenticity and contribution to literature is not to be overlooked. I hope to read more of his works. "
— Chrismpadgett, 1/5/2011 -
" Not his best, but I do love everything Mr.Nabokov touches. "
— Conor, 12/13/2010 -
" I enjoyed this about 25 years ago, and equally enjoyed rereading it. "
— Spotsalots, 11/30/2010 -
" Lolita absolutely repulsed me and I couldn't finish it, but I found this one interesting and enjoyable. "
— Cooper, 8/8/2010 -
" Nabokov's first novel witten in the English language a mysterious and witty literary jaunt...Nabokov's prose is brilliant! "
— Valerie, 6/30/2010
About Vladimir Nabokov
Vladimir Vladimirovich Nabokov (1889–1977) was one of the most prolific writers and literary critics of the twentieth century. Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, he grew up in a trilingual household and later studied Slavic and romance languages at Trinity College, Cambridge, taking his honors degree in 1922. For the next eighteen years he lived in Berlin and Paris, writing prolifically in Russian under the pseudonym “Sirin” and supporting himself through translations, lessons in English and tennis, and by composing the first crossword puzzles in Russian. Having already fled Russia and Germany, Nabokov became a refugee once more in 1940 when he was forced to leave France for the United States. There he taught at Wellesley, Harvard, and Cornell. He died in Montreux, Switzerland.
About Luke Daniels
Luke Daniels, winner of sixteen AudioFile Earphones Awards and a finalist for the Audie Award for best narration, is a narrator whose many audiobook credits range from action and suspense to young-adult fiction. His background is in classical theater and film, and he has performed at repertory theaters around the country.