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Matthew's Reviews > Pale Fire
Pale Fire
by
by
There is brilliance in madness.
I have never quite read a book like this one. It was a bit difficult to follow and stay interested in (as evidenced in the fact that it is only 300 pages but took me about 9 months to read. But, at the same time, I enjoyed it, its themes, and its symbolism quite a lot. I think this is one that can benefit from doing some side research and interpretation while you are reading it.
The book is written as if it is a true story and the author (Charles Kinbote) is a biographer for the main character (John Shade) and is interpreting his poem, that takes up a few dozen pages, with a couple hundred pages of footnotes (which is where the main story lies). At times Charles is very frank and sincere, at other times he is borderline unhinged. While it is all fiction, it was interesting to try to extrapolate the truth from the exaggerations in the story.
If you try this one, go in knowing that it is likely unlike anything you have ever read before. Embrace the differences. Then, when confusion sets in, take a break and have a nice cup of tea – it will be waiting for you when you return!
I have never quite read a book like this one. It was a bit difficult to follow and stay interested in (as evidenced in the fact that it is only 300 pages but took me about 9 months to read. But, at the same time, I enjoyed it, its themes, and its symbolism quite a lot. I think this is one that can benefit from doing some side research and interpretation while you are reading it.
The book is written as if it is a true story and the author (Charles Kinbote) is a biographer for the main character (John Shade) and is interpreting his poem, that takes up a few dozen pages, with a couple hundred pages of footnotes (which is where the main story lies). At times Charles is very frank and sincere, at other times he is borderline unhinged. While it is all fiction, it was interesting to try to extrapolate the truth from the exaggerations in the story.
If you try this one, go in knowing that it is likely unlike anything you have ever read before. Embrace the differences. Then, when confusion sets in, take a break and have a nice cup of tea – it will be waiting for you when you return!
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Reading Progress
April 8, 2021
–
Started Reading
April 8, 2021
– Shelved
April 8, 2021
– Shelved as:
2021
April 8, 2021
– Shelved as:
completist-book-club
April 8, 2021
– Shelved as:
classic
April 8, 2021
– Shelved as:
library
July 10, 2021
–
67.94%
""One can harness words like performing fleas and make them drive other fleas.""
page
214
July 16, 2021
–
72.38%
""How to locate in blackness, with a gasp, Terra the Fair, an orbicle of jasp.""
page
228
December 30, 2021
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-4 of 4 (4 new)
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by
Kandice
(new)
Jan 05, 2022 08:42AM
Sounds very interesting.
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I just bought this one 3 weeks ago...been trying to add more classics...it's going sloooow...
Kandice wrote: "Sounds very interesting."It is - but I think will be a challenge for most . . . not because it is hard but, because it is different!
Scarlett wrote: "I just bought this one 3 weeks ago...been trying to add more classics...it's going sloooow..."Give it 9 months like me ;) - Good luck!
