Vladimir Nabokov is truly a literary giant. His writing style is a unique blend of sleekness, menace, and beauty, effortlessly traversing the landscapes of different languages. His words are like sharp claws and powerful jaws, capable of delivering a jaw-dropping display of grace and devastation when he pounces.

"Strong Opinions" is a remarkable collection that showcases Nabokov's charismatic brilliance in non-fiction and biography. It contains his interviews, essays, and letters to editors, offering readers a controlled glimpse into the man behind the curtain. Through this collection, we gain incredible insights into his mind, life, and thoughts on his own work.
Nabokov's genius grasp of language is evident even outside of his fiction writing. It is astonishing to think that English is not his first language, yet he manipulates it with such dexterity and precision. His interviews are a testament to his mastery of word choice and cadence, leaving even the most seasoned novelists in awe.
In "Strong Opinions," Nabokov shares his views on a wide range of topics, including his own works, teaching methods, likes and dislikes in literature, and autobiographical elements. He is not afraid to express his strong opinions, lambasting the works of those he dislikes and proudly proclaiming his own preferences.
One of the most interesting aspects of this collection is Nabokov's refusal to engage in the interpretation of his own works. He views his writing as a game, a simple aesthetic bliss, and laughs off any attempts to find underlying meanings. This stance challenges the deconstructionist approach to literature and adds an element of mystery and playfulness to his works.
While some may view Nabokov as a pompous ass, his strong opinions and unwavering confidence make this collection endlessly entertaining to read. His teaching methods, which emphasize strict attention to detail, are also of great interest. Overall, "Strong Opinions" is a must-read for any Nabokov fan or anyone interested in the mind of a great novelist.

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Vladimir Nabokov is truly a genius. His sharp humor bubbles up vividly in his short stories and brief reviews. Everything collected in this volume presents a very well-defined profile of those opinions that sting so sweetly and teach us about what the true nature of the occupations of writing, teaching, and butterfly hunting really is: a matter of charm. It is highly recommended for anyone who wishes to approach the brilliance of this gentleman.

However, it is also important to mention that the majority of the texts are very similar to each other. And if necessary, the best thing is always to send Mr. Nabokov to sleep and get to know him through the genius that is faithfully expressed in his novels, short stories, and lectures. This way, we can gain a more comprehensive and in-depth understanding of his unique literary world and the profound insights he offers.

I read the third part and I'm not sure if I'll come back earlier than a year or so. This collection of interviews (which is, of course, not very organic reading by itself) scared me a little. I really love Nabokov. I really love what (I assume) his narcissistic trauma did to him. The distance from the text somehow magically affects his impeccability and beauty, which is almost painful to the eyes. But the distance from himself is a bit scary (at least in these interviews) - maybe because it turns into a fear of oneself ("send me written questions, and I will read you my written perfect, impeccable, breathtaking answers when we meet"); maybe because it turns him into a project of his own name, where sometimes the sense of proportion and plausibility starts to fail.

I find myself both fascinated and intimidated by Nabokov's stance in these interviews. His confidence and the way he presents himself as this almost untouchable figure is both captivating and off-putting. It makes me wonder if this is really the true Nabokov or just a carefully constructed persona for the public.

Despite my misgivings, I can't help but be drawn to his words and the way he expresses himself. There is a certain allure to his writing and his ideas that keeps me coming back for more, even if I'm not entirely sure what to make of it all.

“I think like a genius, I write like a distinguished author, and I speak like a child.” - With this highly evocative statement, Nabokov begins the book “Strong Opinions”. And this is extremely important information - the author, who was able to handle the written language in such a wonderful way, was not a very good speaker. Public appearances stressed him out a great deal, so in the vast majority of cases, he did not give “live” interviews (he even read his lectures from pre-prepared notes). We know, then, that the interviews placed in this volume were conducted in a correspondence manner - journalists sent questions, to which VN replied. Thanks to this, we can be sure that the author's words are deeply considered, and all the texts that appear in this collection were personally selected by Vladimir.

The first part of the book consists of 22 interviews for various magazines (Playboy, The New York Times, and Vogue are just some of the well-known ones). This was truly a great pleasure for me - after all, the image of the writer can transform from just a name on the cover to a living person with that “strong opinion”. Nabokov himself admits in the preface that fiction gives him so little room to share his opinions that sometimes he is glad of such a form of transmission. So we get to know Nabokov as a humorous and mysterious respondent; one who expresses literary criticism sharply; one who is angered by the behavior of some and charmed by the behavior of others. He talks about his love for America, family, chess, butterflies. He tells about the future and plans for the present; about his daily habits. We are close to the man himself, not just the writer, which I really liked (and which will surely appeal to anyone who reads interviews with people they like).

The second part of the book contains eleven letters of VN (or Véry? Iykyk) to the editors. Their subject matter is very diverse - from declining to participate in a literary event, criticizing an article published in a newspaper, to being outraged because of an unflattering opinion about his father. It is quick to read, and some of the texts are seriously funny (

However, I could never explain adequately to certain students in my literature classes. There are crucial aspects of good reading that often go unnoticed. The fact is that when you read an artist's book, it's not just about using your heart. The heart, in fact, is a remarkably stupid reader. Nor is it about using your brain alone. Instead, it requires the combination of your brain and spine.

Ladies and gentlemen, the tingle in the spine really tells you what the author felt and wished you to feel. It's that intuitive response that goes beyond the intellectual understanding provided by the brain. It's about experiencing the emotions and sensations that the author has tried to convey through the written word. This holistic approach to reading allows us to truly connect with the work of art and gain a deeper appreciation for the artist's vision.

By engaging both the brain and the spine, we can unlock the full potential of the text and embark on a journey of discovery and enlightenment.

Lepidoptera is a large order of insects that includes butterflies and moths.

These insects are known for their beautiful and colorful wings, which are covered in tiny scales.

The wings of Lepidoptera can have a wide variety of patterns and colors, ranging from bright and vivid to dull and camouflaged.

Lepidoptera undergo complete metamorphosis, which means they go through four distinct stages in their life cycle: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.

The larvae of Lepidoptera are often called caterpillars and are known for their voracious appetites.

They feed on a variety of plants and can cause significant damage to crops and gardens.

The adult Lepidoptera, on the other hand, are mainly concerned with reproduction and feeding on nectar from flowers.

Overall, Lepidoptera are a fascinating group of insects that play an important role in the ecosystem.

What can I say?

The man is truly a genius. His intellect is undeniable, and he has an uncanny ability to think outside the box and come up with innovative ideas.

However, along with his genius comes very “strong” opinions. These opinions can be described as smart yet slashing, grotesque, and even bizarre at times.

It's as if his mind operates on a different wavelength, allowing him to see things from perspectives that others simply cannot fathom.

While some may be put off by his extreme views, there is no denying the fact that they are thought-provoking and often force others to reevaluate their own beliefs.

In a world where conformity is often the norm, this man's unique perspective is both refreshing and challenging.

Love him or hate him, one thing is for sure: he is a force to be reckoned with.

This is probably an unfair rating.

The book does indeed deliver precisely what it promised: an almost random assortment of interviews, essays, and articles.

However, upon completing it, I couldn't help but question why anyone would have bothered to collect them in the first place.

There was some degree of insight into Nabokov, but aside from that, it was rather lackluster.

You simply couldn't recommend it to anyone who wasn't already an extremely enthusiastic Nabokov fan.

The collection seemed disjointed and without a clear overarching purpose.

While individual pieces might have had their merits, as a whole, it failed to make a lasting impression.

Perhaps a more curated selection or a stronger editorial framework could have enhanced the value of this compilation.

As it stands, it feels more like a hodgepodge of materials rather than a cohesive and engaging work.

Nevertheless, for die-hard Nabokov enthusiasts, it may still hold some interest.

But for the average reader, it's likely to be a disappointment.

This is truly a remarkable piece of writing that offers a captivating read. However, I must admit that I am not intellectually astute enough at present to provide any profound or intelligent insights about it. Beyond stating the following: Nabokov is an extraordinary genius with a penchant for playfully provoking others. What an interesting individual he is!

If there were anyone alive today who could even remotely compare to Nabokov, I would be extremely astonished.

I am deeply grateful to Lori for recommending this book to me.

Undoubtedly, it stands as the best non-fiction read of 2021, leaving a lasting impression on my literary journey.

It has opened my eyes to a new world of ideas and perspectives, and I look forward to further exploring the works of Nabokov in the future.

Strong opinions can be repetitive, and this is true in this case as well. Sometimes the repetition is justifiable, perhaps to emphasize certain important points. However, at other times, it can be quite bewildering for the reader. The book is also filled with tracts that may not hold much worth for the median reader.

Nevertheless, there are some definite highlights. Near the end, there is a delightful essay on inspiration that is truly captivating. Before that, there is one of the most amusing takedowns I have ever read. It is both comedic and insightful, making it well worth the read.

Overall, while the book has its flaws, it does have some interesting and engaging content. I would recommend approaching it with a readiness to skim through select passages. This way, you can focus on the parts that are most relevant and interesting to you, while skipping over the parts that may not hold your attention.

In conclusion, despite its drawbacks, this book has enough redeeming qualities to make it a worthwhile read for those who are interested in the subject matter.

It would have been 5 stars with more articles and less interviews.

This statement implies that the current offering lacks a sufficient quantity of articles and has an excessive amount of interviews.

In order to achieve a 5-star rating, a better balance between the two is needed.

More articles would provide a greater depth of information and a wider range of topics, appealing to a broader audience.

On the other hand, reducing the number of interviews could help to streamline the content and make it more focused.

By making these adjustments, the overall quality and value of the product or service could be enhanced, resulting in a higher rating from users.

It is important to note that this is just one perspective, and other factors may also contribute to the overall satisfaction of the users.

However, addressing the issue of article-interview balance could be a significant step towards improving the user experience and achieving a higher rating.