But one shelf was a little neater than the rest and here I noted the following sequence which for a moment seemed to form a vague musical phrase, oddly familiar: Hamlet, La morte d'Arthur, The Bridge of San Luis Rey, Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, South Wind, The Lady with the Dog, Madame Bovary, The Invisible Man, Le Temps Retrouvé, Anglo-Persian Dictionary, The Author of Trixie, Alice in Wonderland, Ulysses, About Buying a Horse, King Lear … The melody gave a small gasp and faded.
In Vladimir Nabokov's "The Real Life of Sebastian Knight," the protagonist's observations reveal a shelf of books arranged in a seemingly orderly fashion. This collection strikes a chord, as the titles evoke memories that resonate like a musical phrase, hinting at a deeper connection between literature and personal experience. The familiar sequence of classic works from Shakespeare to modern novels creates a momentary blend of nostalgia and intrigue.
Among the titles listed, one can perceive a mix of genres and styles, reflecting the diverse influences on the narrator's life. The act of noting these titles highlights the interplay between literature and memory, suggesting that each work holds a significance that transcends mere storylines. This fleeting recognition of a 'melody' encapsulates the richness of the narrative and the character's emotional landscape.
