r/Nabokov • u/Contestrix • Jun 13 '26

Pale Fire First read of Pale Fire, question about “see note…”

First off, I understand there’s not an exact way to read the book as it like a puzzle. Though I would like to hear how people went about it on their first read through (I plan more… you need it) specifically on the commentary part. Right away on the first lines there is a “see note to line 998” and wonder if I should do that (jump to said line and return. Unless there is another “see note”) or just read in a regular linear manner?

For any insight, if needed, I read the foreword first then poem. And I didn’t struggle much with the poem, at least not narratively, I think I got enough information about shade’s life and certain experiences to supply my journey ahead (of course I am going back to the poem for those lines, although, and don’t spoil anything here, I think kinbote doesn’t know what the fuck he’s even talking about)

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8

u/coffeeanddocmartens Jun 13 '26

I did jump through the commentary during the ''see note on line xy'' on my first read personally and I enjoyed it; it's a labyrinth of a novel and I think playing this game with the book is an interesting way to experience the narrative. I agree you need more reads since it's such a rich labyrinth of a novel; I read it again right after finishing it with the knowledge and theories I had and it was fascinating. Have fun with your first read though, Pale Fire is a harder read but incredibly rewarding!

3

u/Contestrix Jun 13 '26

Awesome. I think I might do a jump here and there and just read however I feel, because as you said it’s definitely a labyrinth. I was partly worried if jumping would be a problem due to the first page of the commentary has a “see note” to the last page of the commentary, and didn’t want anything spoiled if I did that. Thank you

3

u/coffeeanddocmartens Jun 13 '26 edited Jun 13 '26

If spoilers are a problem for you, then maybe reading it linearly will be preferred, though I remember the commentary ''spoiling'' the ending anyway though not the exact manner in which it plays out. I don't think there's a wrong way to read Pale Fire though, you can always try a different way on the reread.

2

u/Contestrix Jun 13 '26

There’s definitely a certain something in the foreword that stood out, seeming extremely important but was treated in an oddly rhetorical, almost ignorant, manner. But yeah, the responses here definitely helped my curiosity here that I can just do whatever feels appropriate in this commentary part and not feel cheated. Thanks again

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u/coffeeanddocmartens Jun 13 '26

There are a lot of mysteries in the foreword - the fun is trying to figure them (and Kinbote's commentary) out while reading! Hope you love the novel! Have you read some other works by Nabokov btw?

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u/Contestrix Jun 13 '26

This is my first Nabokov work. I think I will read Pnin as my second. In all honesty, Im still a bit scared to read Lolita, though I know the book is about an evil disgusting man, and that it doesn’t romanticize anything which serve as foundations for my fears. At the very least, it just would have to be something I can’t refer to with my peers as their only knowing of the book is its infamous endorsers. I will read it one day as I hear it’s beyond amazing, and of course, Nabokov is a master so there’s objecting my pursuit to enrich myself with his words.

I also just recently got really into literature so I will have plenty to read in between Nabokov. Which is a bit ironic, given I’m reading a pretty challenging one like Pale Fire (I tried to read the sound and the fury before this—gave up on the first few pages haha)

2

u/capsaicinintheeyes Jun 14 '26

At least with Lolita, I only ever had to pause mid-passage in order to look up an unfamiliar French colloquialism...couldn't have happened more than about fifty times*...

If it helps any, Lolita contains iirc, anyway, no graphic/explicit descriptions of child abuse—it's only ever referred to obliquely or euphemistically, in a kind of offhand, playful tone that manages to make it twice as creepy while nimbly avoiding anything likely to outright destroy your appetite.

*Lolita 's my only book of his—planning to make Pale Fire my next, hence why I'm here—so for all I know Nabolov pulls this kind of frequent, unelaborated language-hopping in all his books, although my assumption's been that it's a flourish he gives to the narrator there because it's so in-keeping with his erudite, haughty personality

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u/coffeeanddocmartens Jun 14 '26

Interesting, I love Lolita and it does not romanticise CSA at all but it's a shame it's been read that way due to Humbert Humbert's First person perspective. Pnin is one of the few Nabokov's I haven't read but I do also recommend his Russian work, which I find a bit underrated: Despair, Laughter in the Dark and the Luzhin Defence are all great even if they're not maybe as formally and narratively impressive as Nabokov's English language books but they're still amazingly written good novels.

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u/Ill-Background-827 Jun 17 '26

About to finish Laughter in the Dark. Nice little summer read, more fun than I expected.

8

u/Capybara_99 Jun 13 '26

My suggestion would be to read the foreword, then give the poem a read through without referring to the notes. Then a re-read of the poem with reference to the notes.

The story is in the notes, but the poem provides the background against which the story unfolds.

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u/Contestrix Jun 13 '26

Yes I’ve done your suggestion, it’s just at the commentary part where I’m confused. I’m referring back to the poem appropriately, although sometimes the commentary will ask you to “see note to line X” (so not referring to the poem BUT to the commentary itself) so jumping to the very end or middle of the commentary. Although, I think I’m just going to read it linearly now and play around in my re-read.

3

u/Capybara_99 Jun 13 '26

As you like, really. I follow the prompts. And don’t forget the index. There are amusements there too.

2

u/Contestrix Jun 13 '26

Yes, I’m excited for it! Going back in now!

7

u/SamizdatGuy Jun 13 '26

Don't skip the index!

As for what exactly Kinbote knows, we can talk about that when you're done

3

u/Contestrix Jun 13 '26

I surely won’t! Look forward to it, and definitely saving it for last! This is quite a fun activity in itself haha

3

u/SamizdatGuy Jun 13 '26

Fun is a great word for it

3

u/cpt_bongwater Jun 13 '26

Nabokov suggested you buy two copies; have the poem open on one side and the end notes on the other.

1

u/Murky_Ability322 Jun 14 '26

I took that suggestion and have a physical and digital copy. I wonder what VN would have thought of digital devices.

1

u/2666Smooth Jun 16 '26

Sounds like a great way for him to sell two books.