Book summary

Generally considered one of Nabokov's greatest works, PALE FIRE consists of a 999-line poem written by a professor named John Shade, and a scholarly commentary on it by his colleague, Charles Kinbote. The novel is a satire of literary scholarship and American university life; it is also a study of creativity in both its constructive and destructive guises--and a remarkable work of poetry as well. Despite its complexity, PALE FIRE was a best-seller when it appeared in 1962, and was nominated for the National Book Award.

Media reviews

"Too clever by half. But a pleasure."