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Speak, Memory is strictly autobiographic. There is nothing autobiographic in Lolita.
Vladimir Nabokov Strong Opinions
by Vladimir Nabokov
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In "Strong Opinions," Vladimir Nabokov emphasizes the distinct nature of his works "Speak, Memory" and "Lolita." He clarifies that "Speak, Memory" is purely autobiographical, drawing from his own life experiences and memories. This work serves as a reflection of his personal history and identity, presenting a genuine glimpse into his past.

In contrast, Nabokov asserts that "Lolita" is not autobiographical at all. Instead, it is a fictional narrative, marked by imagination and creativity rather than personal recollections. His statement highlights the difference between storytelling rooted in autobiography and that anchored in artistic invention, showcasing the complexity of his literary craft.

In "Strong Opinions," Vladimir Nabokov emphasizes the distinct nature of his works "Speak, Memory" and "Lolita." He clarifies that "Speak, Memory" is purely autobiographical, drawing from his own life experiences and memories. This work serves as a reflection of his personal history and identity, presenting a genuine glimpse into his past.

In contrast, Nabokov asserts that "Lolita" is not autobiographical at all. Instead, it is a fictional narrative, marked by imagination and creativity rather than personal recollections. His statement highlights the difference between storytelling rooted in autobiography and that anchored in artistic invention, showcasing the complexity of his literary craft.

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Strong Opinions
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Other quotes in Strong Opinions

If told I am a bad poet, I smile; but if told I am a poor scholar, I reach for my heaviest dictionary.
Vladimir Nabokov Strong Opinions
If told I am a bad poet, I smile; but if told I am a poor scholar, I reach for my heaviest dictionary.
To be quite candid - and what I am going to say now is something I have never said before, and I hope that it provokes a salutary chill - I know more than I can express in words, and the little I can express would not have been expressed, had I not known more.
Vladimir Nabokov Strong Opinions
To be quite candid - and what I am going to say now is something I have never said before, and I hope that it provokes a salutary chill - I know more than I can express in words, and the little I can express would not have been expressed, had I not known more.
In fact I believe that one day a reappraiser will come and declare that, far from having been a frivolous firebird, I was a rigid moralist: kicking sin, cuffing stupidity, ridiculing the vulgar and cruel-and assigning sovereign power to tenderness, talent and pride.
Vladimir Nabokov Strong Opinions
In fact I believe that one day a reappraiser will come and declare that, far from having been a frivolous firebird, I was a rigid moralist: kicking sin, cuffing stupidity, ridiculing the vulgar and cruel-and assigning sovereign power to tenderness, talent and pride.
Many accepted authors simply do not exist for me. Their names are engraved on empty graves, their books are dummies, they are complete nonentities insofar as my taste in reading is concerned. Brecht, Faulkner, Camus, many others, mean absolutely nothing to me, and I must fight a suspicion of conspiracy against my brain when I see blandly accepted as "great literature" by critics and fellow authors Lady Chatterley's copulations or the pretentious nonsense of Mr. Pound, that total fake. I note he has replaced Dr. Schweitzer in some homes.
Vladimir Nabokov Strong Opinions
Many accepted authors simply do not exist for me. Their names are engraved on empty graves, their books are dummies, they are complete nonentities insofar as my taste in reading is concerned. Brecht, Faulkner, Camus, many others, mean absolutely nothing to me, and I must fight a suspicion of conspiracy against my brain when I see blandly accepted as "great literature" by critics and fellow authors Lady Chatterley's copulations or the pretentious nonsense of Mr. Pound, that total fake. I note he has replaced Dr. Schweitzer in some homes.
Speak, Memory is strictly autobiographic. There is nothing autobiographic in Lolita.
Vladimir Nabokov Strong Opinions
Speak, Memory is strictly autobiographic. There is nothing autobiographic in Lolita.
I loathe popular pulp, I loathe go-go gangs, I loathe jungle music, I loathe science fiction with its gals and goons, suspense and suspensories. I especially loathe vulgar movies-cripples raping nuns under tables, or naked-girl breasts squeezing against the tanned torsos of repulsive young males. And, really, I don't think I mock popular trash more often than do other authors who believe with me that a good laugh is the best pesticide.
Vladimir Nabokov Strong Opinions
I loathe popular pulp, I loathe go-go gangs, I loathe jungle music, I loathe science fiction with its gals and goons, suspense and suspensories. I especially loathe vulgar movies-cripples raping nuns under tables, or naked-girl breasts squeezing against the tanned torsos of repulsive young males. And, really, I don't think I mock popular trash more often than do other authors who believe with me that a good laugh is the best pesticide.
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Other quotes in book quote

They are afraid of him?' D'Harcourt raised his comedian's eyebrows. Danny Hislop's bright teeth flashed in his hairless, unremarkable face. 'If they were afraid, they'd tear him to pieces like schoolgirls. My guess is that he's gorgeous. A terrible tease and nasty at moments, but oh Maeve, he has such a way with him.… Is he gorgeous, dear Adam?' Adam Blacklock, thus addressed, said quietly, 'Undoubtedly gorgeous.
Dorothy Dunnett The Ringed Castle
They are afraid of him?' D'Harcourt raised his comedian's eyebrows. Danny Hislop's bright teeth flashed in his hairless, unremarkable face. 'If they were afraid, they'd tear him to pieces like schoolgirls. My guess is that he's gorgeous. A terrible tease and nasty at moments, but oh Maeve, he has such a way with him.… Is he gorgeous, dear Adam?' Adam Blacklock, thus addressed, said quietly, 'Undoubtedly gorgeous.
Henry of England had all the virtues and all the faults, and solved the contradiction by making scapegoats and sin-eaters of half his entourage.
Dorothy Dunnett The Game of Kings
Henry of England had all the virtues and all the faults, and solved the contradiction by making scapegoats and sin-eaters of half his entourage.
It isn't that music doesn't matter: the reverse, as it happens. So my defences against it are very strong. Can you understand that?
Dorothy Dunnett Pawn in Frankincense
It isn't that music doesn't matter: the reverse, as it happens. So my defences against it are very strong. Can you understand that?
The drink was almost certainly safe. He would probably get pleurisy, quinsy and pox from the cup.
Dorothy Dunnett Pawn in Frankincense
The drink was almost certainly safe. He would probably get pleurisy, quinsy and pox from the cup.
Happiness, that most childish of states, is infectious. Furthermore, in its innocence, it will not be hidden, even when tempered with sorrow
Dorothy Dunnett Gemini
Happiness, that most childish of states, is infectious. Furthermore, in its innocence, it will not be hidden, even when tempered with sorrow
The Buke of Ye Chess used the game as the basis for a series of sermons on morality. Neither book illustrates play or player improvement, but uses the chessboard and pieces to 'allegorize a political community whose citizens contribute to the common good'2.
Laura Caine Ramsey The Ultimate Guide to Dorothy Dunnett's The Game of Kings
The Buke of Ye Chess used the game as the basis for a series of sermons on morality. Neither book illustrates play or player improvement, but uses the chessboard and pieces to 'allegorize a political community whose citizens contribute to the common good'2.
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