I’m finishing my review of Vladimir Nabokov’s short stories, which I loved reading. I hope to have it done by tomorrow.

But I feel I can’t write a post about Nabokov (even his short stories) without mentioning another work by this author that I probably don’t even need to name.

After all, twice in the past month I mentioned that I was reading Nabokov’s short stories, and the comment was one of these two reactionst:

“Yuck! I tried to read Lolita once … I couldn’t handle it!” [grimace, and frown]

“That porn author, right?” [look at me curiously]

I haven’t read Lolita. But those that have studied it (such as Thomas Foster) or read it (some other bloggers) seem to indicate that:

  1. It’s not a porn novel: it’s about a man in love. It just happens that he fell in with a 1512-year-old girl who is his step-daughter.
  2. It’s beautifully written and well worth your time because it is well written.

I can appreciate those thoughts. I can also appreciate people concerned by the underlying theme of it. I haven’t read it, so I really can’t comment on Lolita.

But I can tell you that I loved Nabokov’s short stories. It’s probably wrong to say that Nabokov’s reputation was ruined: many, many people still read his works every year. But the image associated with his name, at least among those I talked to this month, is pretty badly “tarnished.” I imagine people hesitate to pick up his stories, if they know what Lolita is about.

I think it is a shame that people might avoid Nabokov’s incredible writing because of the stigma associated with his most well-known novel. After all, this man wrote 17 novels, as well as short-fiction, drama, biography, and literary criticism. That’s a lot of writing. If the other works are as good as his short stories, they deserve to be devoured by bibliophiles.

And, while I really can’t tell you which books I will read next, I will tell you I plan to read more of his writing. It’s good.

I’m hoping I’ll convince you to read his stories by my post tomorrow.

There are so many reasons why authors are unfairly ignored: negative publicity, one novel that just wasn’t good, one novel that is over-praised, etc.

What writers do you think have been “ruined” unfairly?