Vladimir Nabokov

Vladimir Nabokov has been recognized as an iconic writer of the twentieth century, praised for his enthralling storylines, architecture of suspense, incredible word play and varied narrative techniques. Known particularly for his landmark novel Lolita and successful career as a novelist and poet, he has an illustrious reputation within the literary world, having been born in Czarist Russia, migrating to the United States, and finally settling in Europe. In recognition of his remarkable accomplishments, Nabokov was honored with a variety of awards, including the Gold Medal for Fiction from the National Institute of Arts and Letters.

Vladimir Vladimirovich Nabokov was born on 22 April, 1899 in St. Petersburg, Russia in a wealthy and influential family. His father, Vladimir Dmitrievich Nabokov, was a renowned lawyer and lawmaker. Nabokov spent his childhood between Russian and France, where he would later attend college and write his first novel, Mary (1926).

At the age of eighteen, Nabokov began writing his first stories and poems, publishing them in magazines. He later released a collection of poems, entitled The Empyrean Path (1930). After, Nabokov started writing full-length works, beginning with his most notable works such as Glory (1932), The Defense (1930), Laughter in the Dark (1931) and Despair (1936).

Nabokov experienced a difficult upbringing and family life as his parents divorced in 1917, leaving him and his family forced to move to the south of Russia. As conditions worsened in the Soviet Union, Nabokov's family moved to Europe before coming to the United States, where he eventually pursued his Master of Arts degree at Harvard.

It was during this time in the United States that Nabokov developed his acclaimed works of literature. His first English-language novel, The Real Life of Sebastian Knight (1941), met great success, eventually prompting Nabokov to write Lolita (1955), a much darker work. A captivating and controversial tale of love, Lolita gained attraction worldwide, elevating Nabokov to fame. Following the immense acclaim from Lolita, Nabokov wrote a variety of novels and short stories, such as the enigmatic novel Pale Fire (1962), the action-packed horror novel, The Gift (1937), and the adventure story, Speak, Memory (1951).

Nabokov's works captivated a wide audience, ranging from teenage readers to experienced scholars and readers. He often employed of humor, irony, and satire in his writing. His performance as a marvelous craftsman of intricate plots, complex themes, impressive word play and structure in his works, meant that Nabokov’s writing was particularly treasured by critics.

Nabokov enjoyed the recognition of his efforts, receiving the National Book Award for his poetic autobiography, Speak, Memory in 1951, the Austrian State Prize in Literature in 1958 and the Award of Merit Medal in 1960. The critical acclaim and public following of Nabokov’s works endured in the years since his death in 1977. He ultimately left behind a legacy of literature shaped by his multifaceted writing voice and profound understanding of the human condition.