Nabokov's Canon: From "Onegin" to "Ada" (Studies in Russian Literature and Theory)

Nabokov's translation of Pushkin's Eugene Onegin (1964) and its accompanying Commentary , along with Ada, or Ardor (1969), his densely allusive late English language novel, have appeared nearly inscrutable to many interpreters of his work. If not outright failures, they are often considered relatively unsuccessful curiosities. In Bozovic's insightful study, these key texts reveal Nabokov's ambitions to reimagine a canon of nineteenth- and twentieth-century Western masterpieces with Russian literature as a central, rather than marginal, strain. Nabokov's scholarly work, translations, and lectures on literature bear resemblance to New Critical canon reformations; however, Nabokov's canon is pointedly translingual and transnational and serves to legitimize his own literary practice. The new angles and theoretical framework offered by Nabokov's Canon help us to understand why Nabokov's provocative monuments remain powerful source texts for several generations of diverse international writers, as well as richly productive material for visual, cinematic, musical, and other artistic adaptations. Nabokov's Translation Of Pushkin's Eugene Onegin (1964) And Its Accompanying Commentary, Along With Ada, Or Ardor (1969), His Densely Allusive Late Englishlanguage Novel, Have Appeared Nearly Inscrutable To Many Interpreters Of His Work. If Not Outright Failures, They Are Often Considered Relatively Unsuccessful Curiosities. In Bozovic's Insightful Study, These Key Texts Reveal Nabokov's Ambitions To Reimagine A Canon Of Nineteenth- And Twentieth-century Western Masterpieces With Russian Literature As A Central, Rather Than Marginal, Strain. Nabokov's Scholarly Work, Translations, And Lectures On Literature Bear Resemblance To New Critical Canon Reformations; However, Nabokov's Canon Is Pointedly Translingual And Transnational And Serves To Legitimize His Own Literary Practice. The New Angles And Theoretical Framework Offered By Nabokov's Canon Help Us To Understand Why Nabokov's Provocative Monuments Remain Powerful Source Texts For Several Generations Of Diverse International Writers, As Well As Richly Productive Material For Visual, Cinematic, Musical, And Other Artistic Adaptations. -- Introduction. What Mad Pursuit : Nabokov And Canon Formation -- Pushkin's Evgenii Onegin : The Breguet Keeps Time -- Nabokov's Eugene Onegin : The Chateaubyronic Genre -- Nabokov's Ada, Or Ardor : Translating The Russian Novel -- Ada In Pursuit Of Proust And Joyce -- Bergson And The Texture Of Time -- Conclusion. World Literatures And The Butterfly Man. Marijeta Bozovic. Based On The Author's Thesis (doctoral)--columbia University, 2011. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 207-223) And Index. Nabokov's translation of Pushkin's Eugene Onegin (1964) and its accompanying Commentary, along with Ada, or Ardor (1969), his densely allusive late Englishlanguage novel, have appeared nearly inscrutable to many interpreters of his work. If not outright failures, they are often considered relatively unsuccessful curiosities. In Bozovic's insightful study, these key texts reveal Nabokov's ambitions to reimagine a canon of nineteenth- and twentieth-century Western masterpieces with Russian literature as a central, rather than marginal, strain. Nabokov's scholarly work, translations, and lectures on literature bear resemblance to New Critical canon reformations; however, Nabokov's canon is pointedly translingual and transnational and serves to legitimize his own literary practice. The new angles and theoretical framework offered by Nabokov's Canon help us to understand why Nabokov's provocative monuments remain powerful source texts for several generations of diverse international writers, as well as richly productive material for visual, cinematic, musical, and other artistic adaptations. -- From publisher's website