Nabokov Noir: Cinematic Culture and the Art of Exile

Nabokov Noir explores Vladimir Nabokov's early literary career in the context of his fascination with silent and early sound cinema and the Weimar era's chiaroscuro darkness and artificial brightness. It argues that Nabokov's engagement with cinema is an art of exile, presenting a compelling rethinking of modernist-era literature's relationship to mass culture. Parker examines how Nabokov's involvement with cinema enabled him to flourish as a transnational writer, working tirelessly to court publishers and film producers for maximum exposure for his fiction across languages, media, and markets.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 15 November 2022
Publisher: Cornell University Press

Nabokov Noir is a captivating exploration of Vladimir Nabokov's early literary career, spanning from the 1920s to the 1940s, within the context of his profound fascination with silent and early sound cinema, as well as the distinctive chiaroscuro darkness and artificial brightness of the Weimar era. This period was characterized by its movie palaces, cultural Americanism, and surface culture.

Luke Parker posits that Nabokov's engagement with cinema and mass culture, seen as both a literary poetics and practical strategy, can be understood as an art of exile. His writings, written in Berlin, offer a compelling reevaluation of the relationship between modernist-era literature and the pervasive influence of mass culture. Parker delves into how Nabokov's involvement as an actor, screenwriter, moviegoer, and chronicler of the cinematized culture of interwar Europe enabled him to thrive as a transnational writer.

Nabokov Noir sheds light on Nabokov's tireless efforts to secure maximum exposure for his fiction across languages, media, and markets. By revealing the story of his cinema praxis—his strategic utilization of the movie industry—the book reconstructs the astute response of a modern master to the artificial isolation and shrinking audiences of exile.

Through meticulous research and analysis, Nabokov Noir provides a rich and nuanced understanding of Nabokov's artistic journey, showcasing his profound connection to cinema and his innovative approach to literature. It sheds light on the ways in which he navigated the complexities of exile, using the medium of cinema to transcend geographical boundaries and connect with readers on a global scale.

In conclusion, Nabokov Noir is a groundbreaking work that offers a fresh perspective on Vladimir Nabokov's literary career and his engagement with cinema and mass culture. It deepens our understanding of Nabokov's artistic vision and his ability to adapt to the challenges of exile. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in Russian literature, cinema, and the complexities of cultural exchange in the 20th century.

Weight: 612g
Dimension: 162 x 236 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501766527