The only other Nabokov novel I’ve read is Lolita and man, this book is very much its forerunner! I’m starting to wonder if this is what all Nabokov novels consist of - an unreliable, crazed first person narrator committing a heinous crime? Not to say that’s a bad thing! I find it actually quite delightful. I’ve never read another author’s works where you have to read between the lines to grasp at the true story. And how masterful Nabokov is to write such a layered story!

This book is hilarious. I feel like I only truly grasped it about 3/4 of the way through, and it makes me want to re-read it again so the beginning will make more sense! That’s my only qualm with this novel. I think the pacing is a bit too slow. I think, for me at least, I didn’t fully start to grasp Hermann’s lunacy and his plot until about halfway through the book. I think the principal action should’ve started a bit sooner.

I know Nabokov famously doesn’t want to ascribe meaning or morals to his stories, but I think the notion of doubles is really interesting. Especially given that Hermann is actually unable to recognize his true double. I feel there was some larger meaning surrounding this topic that didn’t fully solidify for me, but maybe I’m just imagining it. It’s almost like all the characters had doubles as well - the versions Hermann presented them as, and the versions they actually are.

Enthralling, classic Nabokov.