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The Stories of Vladimir Nabokov Audiobook
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(4.00) - 3,223 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
From Vladimir Nabokov, the writer who shocked and delighted the world with his novels Lolita, Pale Fire, and Ada, or Ardor, comes a magnificent collection of stories. Written between the 1920s and the 1950s, these sixty-eight tales — fourteen of which have been translated into English for the first time - display all the shades of Nabokov’s imagination. They range from sprightly fables to bittersweet tales of loss, from claustrophobic exercises in horror to a connoisseur’s samplings of the table of human folly. Read as a whole, The Stories of Vladimir Nabokov offers an intoxicating draft of the master’s genius, his devious wit, and his ability to turn language into an instrument of ecstasy. This edition includes the newly discovered story “Natasha.” “Sumptuous . . . glorious.” — The New York Times “Some of the most nape-tingling prose and devilish inventions in twentieth-century letters. . . . An authentic literary event.” — Time
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"Nabokov was a master of the short form, and this collection is awe inspiring in its scope and beauty. Some of the stories ("A Letter that Never Reached Russia," "A Russian Beauty," "Signs and Symbols" to name a few) literally took my breath away, while I want to deconstruct others piece by piece to learn how he made them. The language of the stories, in translation or written originally in English, is always precise and delicate. As with any collection of this nature, not every story hit the mark for me, and every reader will have different ideas of what does hit the mark, but overall it is an amazing read."
— Heather (5 out of 5 stars)
The Stories of Vladimir Nabokov Listener Reviews
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" It wouldn't take all that much arm-twisting for me to make this a 5-star review, because some of these stories are masterpieces -- alas, the number of slight, precious, or just obscure tales does have an effect on the grandmaster's GPA. But there's so much in it that is spectacular: "Signs and Symbols," "The Vane Sisters," "Cloud, Castle, Lake," "Perfection," "Spring in Fialta," among many other glittering jewels. A must-buy for anyone interested in VN. "
— Rodney, 2/12/2014 -
" Bar none, the finest collection of short English prose I have ever read. Nabokov was impossibly good. "
— James, 2/4/2014 -
" the only reason I didn't finish was because there were like 1,000 stories in there and had no desire to read every single one. good stories though. "
— J.C., 2/2/2014 -
" Ah Nabokov.. WHERE have you been all my life. "
— Rory, 1/31/2014 -
" One critic had the perfect word: Luminous. Distinctly Nabokovian gems, arranged chronologically beginning with the collections self-translated from their original Russian. "
— Tracy, 1/31/2014 -
" When I need to feel the fullness of life- all encompassing- I read these stories again and then again. "
— Joaquin, 1/8/2014 -
" With keen and lucid language Nabokov effectively grapples with his own and the world's socio-political diversity and drama. The metaphor of "The Wood Sprite" can bring to tears while "The Christmas Story" is simply compelling. An intriguing and fun read for anyone. "
— Jason, 1/8/2014 -
" one thing i always go back to, most of the stories are really, really good. "
— Lou, 1/5/2014 -
" Awesome. I think he's a better short story writer than a novelist. Little packets of crisp, beautiful writing. "
— Stirling, 12/31/2013 -
" One of my favorite short story writers of all time. My favorite is and has always been "Music" "
— Ari, 12/21/2013 -
" The story, "Symbols and Signs," sticks inside your brain and keeps popping up, like the hook of a really dark pop song. "
— Jon, 12/5/2013 -
" My bedside table book. The way he works language is astounding. Short, dreamy prose to send me off to dream. Not all the dreams are pretty. "
— Michaela.hayes, 11/24/2013 -
" Some are better than others, all are about Russian exiles. "
— Vel, 11/12/2013 -
" Brilliant. Forget about Lolita for a while and read some of his other stuff. "
— Robert, 11/11/2013 -
" sucked me in and I could not turn away "
— Miguelito, 9/6/2013 -
" I haven't actually finished this yet. "
— K, 8/8/2013 -
" the best short stories ever. "
— Laurel, 8/4/2013 -
" Back up, everybody, give the man room - the short form can't contain him. "
— Nathan, 6/11/2013 -
" I read these stories over and over again, and each time I find something new to love: a line, a character.. something that I hadn't noticed the first time. I love writing that seems new and fresh even when you've read it multiple times. "
— Meg, 3/19/2013 -
" you know, I'm still reading this. Whatever happpened to it -shelved incorrectly by someone trying to help me unpack, I assume. "
— Nico, 9/1/2012 -
" A stunning collection of works by a masterful writer. "
— doug, 8/31/2012 -
" I love love love love love love these stories. Gems, each and every one. Praise be to Nabokov "
— Hadrian, 12/17/2011 -
" A little overwhelming ... so many stories! More of a dip-in and read one or two at a time kind of collection, but I always stand humbled in the face of his utter brilliance as a writer. "
— Kathryn, 11/20/2011 -
" I love love love love love love these stories. Gems, each and every one. Praise be to Nabokov "
— Kaworu, 4/7/2011 -
" <br/>I like this edition best, with translations by Dmitri Nabokov. "
— Bennet, 2/21/2011 -
" he got better as he got older. hero.<br/><br/>a better novelist than story writer. but there are patches of sheer brilliance. . . "
— Bob, 11/15/2010 -
" When I need to feel the fullness of life- all encompassing- I read these stories again and then again. "
— Joaquin, 7/8/2010 -
" Sixty something stories, over 600 pages. Library book. Even though I renewed it twice, I couldn't finish. Ace writing, as usual from Nabokov. When I get through the ten books on my nightstand, I'll check it out again and read the last stories. Always a pleasure. "
— ej, 3/17/2010 -
" Superb! I have this collection if you want to borrow. "
— Myrna, 2/17/2010 -
" With keen and lucid language Nabokov effectively grapples with his own and the world's socio-political diversity and drama. The metaphor of "The Wood Sprite" can bring to tears while "The Christmas Story" is simply compelling. An intriguing and fun read for anyone. "
— Jason, 12/17/2009
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 Arthur Morey
Arthur Morey has won three AudioFile Magazine “Best Of” Awards, and his work has garnered numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards and placed him as a finalist for two Audie Awards. He has acted in a number of productions, both off Broadway in New York and off Loop in Chicago. He graduated from Harvard and did graduate work at the University of Chicago. He has won awards for his fiction and drama, worked as an editor with several book publishers, and taught literature and writing at Northwestern University. His plays and songs have been produced in New York, Chicago, and Milan, where he has also performed.