THE SELF-ISOLATION RESIDENCY 20TH AUGUST 2020: DAY 144

'The Constant Library',  Volume VI: "Pale Fire", Vladimir Nabokov.'

'The Constant Library',  Volume VI: "Pale Fire.", Vladimir Nabokov.'

"The idea for 'The Constant Library' follows on from a recent conversation considering which books had, and continue to have, the greatest affect my life in a variety of different ways. These are the books I can't live without and whenever possible I have a copy of with me wherever I travel in the world.; my 'Constant Library."

I find it quite interesting the it has taken up to entry number VI in 'The Constant Library' before I added my first actual novel. This might make you think that I read very little fiction but that's really not true at all. On the whole I try to balance my literary consumption by reading a works of fiction alternately with nonfiction. However as I have mentioned previous I do enjoy compilations of short stories, so they are often my fiction 'go-to'.

'Pale Fire' will always be a staple of my literary diet. For me it shows Nabokov at his best. Forget about 'Lolita', that book is all about 'shock value', it meanders along at a snails pace with just the odd racy section to progress it. 'Pale Fire' is by contrast both a well considered read and piece of writing, it's a book that really allows the reader in insight into the psyche of the author. It isn't what could be called an easy read, but then for me anything worth reading seldom is. It is however a gratifying read as it builds and weaves characters, histories and 'stories' together to reach it's fascinating climax. Highly recommended.