Comments on: I Helped Save Nabokov’s “Laura” and Now I’m Not Sure I Should Have

By: G. Erwin

G. Erwin — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 15:23:20 +0000

From The Real Life of Sebastian Knight:
” . . . he himself had destroyed them long ago, for he belonged to that rare type of writer who knows that nothing ought to remain except the perfect achievement: the printed book; that its actual existence is inconsistent with that of its spectre, the uncouth manuscript flaunting its imperfections like a revengeful ghost carrying its own head under its arm; and that for this reason the litter of the workshop, no matter its sentimental or commercial value, must never subsist.”

Thanks. I should mention this passage was first brought to my attention back in ‘05 I think by Prof. Abraham Socher of Oberlin, and I quote it in one my columns as reason for hesistating before publishing.

By: Mark Van Wagoner

Mark Van Wagoner — Tue, 06 May 2008 03:28:13 +0000

Wait. I thought everything was your fault.

By: Art Scatter » Scatter considers the Nabokov Dilemma

Art Scatter » Scatter considers the Nabokov Dilemma — Tue, 06 May 2008 00:49:36 +0000

[...] few links: to Ron Rosenbaum, who kept the issue in the press the past few years (he’s having second thoughts); Tom [...]

By: Ulla Lauridsen

Ulla Lauridsen — Sun, 04 May 2008 13:41:39 +0000

Give yourself a break, primarily because people do as they wish, no matter what anyone says.
Secondly, I really believe it is the right decision. A few scholars will have a good time, it may help understand Nabokov better, or more completely, and if not, there’s no harm done, really – REALLY.
A dead mans reputation among people who have a dirty mind and to little insight in the ouvre? I couldn’t care less, and neither should you.