Lectures on Russian Literature

Lectures on Russian Literature

“How precious it is that free men write true books for free men to read.”
★ Nostalgic literature lessons from the great novelist Nabokov★ Return to the golden age of Russian literature★ Dostoyevsky, Tolstoy, Chekhov, Gogol, Turgenev, Gorky...
★ Explore the creative processes behind great works. After leaving his homeland, the 20th-century novelist Vladimir Nabokov taught Russian literature courses at American universities in the 1940s and 1950s. Lectures on Russian Literature is compiled from these lecture notes. Nabokov offers in-depth analysis of six key Russian writers—Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky, Chekhov, Gogol, Turgenev, and Gorky—and their representative works, recreating the golden age of Russian literature.
These nostalgic lectures are far from dry literary criticism. Instead, they draw upon the inspiration and genius of a fellow writer, guiding readers through the uncut forests of Russian literature—Nabokov's lost homeland. He meticulously analyzes texts, offering a wealth of personal praise and criticism. He particularly celebrates pure artistry, offers a profound insight into "vulgarity," and mocks the hypocritical and vapid literature fostered by cultural control. These lectures offer a comprehensive reflection of the author's literary values ​​and a unique approach to textual analysis, making them a must-see for those studying Russian literature and Nabokov.
Nabokov deeply felt the magic of words: "Art is a sacred game." This combination of a scientist's respect for facts and a writer's understanding of the complex and subtle trajectory of passion behind imaginative masterpieces is the essence of Nabokov and part of the unique charm of Lectures on Russian Literature. Step into Nabokov's literature class and let reading return to reading, savor the magic of details, and experience the joy of a first encounter with vivid words.
“Nabokov was a master of Tolstoy, Gogol, and Chekhov, whom he considered the greatest novelists of 19th-century Russia. Of course, he was even more masterful of Vladimir Nabokov, who was born in 1899. Reading Nabokov’s criticisms of other writers helps us better understand Lolita, Ada or Eros, Pale Fire, and many more.”—Time Magazine “Nabokov’s imagination and style allow his lectures to transcend the confines of pedagogy and reach a delightful state.”—The New Republic

2024-04-01

上海译文出版社

480

9787532795246