Imagining Nabokov: Russia Between Art and Politics

In the first chapter of this learned meditation on one of the great writers of the twentieth century, Khruscheva fictionalizes a conversation with Nabokov, stringing together quotes from his oeuvre. ""Hypothetical and literary concepts have a far greater hold on Russia's people than practical ones,"" says Kruscheva, but the same suspension of disbelief might be too much to ask of American readers. Later, the author tries to conjure Nabokov again ""to see whether I had got him right."" The result-one intelligent reader's semi-indulgent attempt to communicate the intentions, origins, and inspirations of a favorite author-is more about Khruscheva than Nabokov. Luckily, Khruscheva-a scholar of international affairs, a reader of Russian literature, a Russian emigre and the great-granddaughter of Nikita Khrushschev-is a remarkable one with a unique perspective on Russia's ""impracticality and nonmaterialism"" that resonates in its languages and literature. Nabokov, who wrote in both English and Russian, belongs in these Russian traditions, which Khruscheva considers ""an example"" to other literatures' ""spiritual leadership. Spirit, soul is our greatest national achievement as well as our great national handicap."" At times a sentimental book, this take on Nabokov's oeuvre gathers its themes-Nabokov, language, Russia-together in a loose weave at turns shapeless and captivating.