Nabokov expressed a struggle with an extraordinary ability known as total recall, which allowed him to remember every detail of his experiences. This remarkable memory was more of a burden for him, as it complicated his life and work. He felt overwhelmed by the weight of his memories, which haunted him even in his creative processes.

Interestingly, Nabokov believed that having a biographer could relieve him of this heavy burden. The presence of someone dedicated to documenting his life could help organize his thoughts and memories, providing him with a sense of relief from the overwhelming nature of his recollections. This connection between memory and biography highlights the intricate relationship between personal history and artistic expression.