When esteemed author Vladimir Nabokov penned his autobiography "Speak, Memory" in 1951, it quickly solidified itself as a uniquely intimate and poetic meditation on his long and eventful life. One of Nabokov’s early works, the book was a memoir that reads less like a typical biography and more like an elegy in prose. Nabokov's writing style is remarkable for its delicate beauty, attention to detail and vividness of memory.
Nabokov was born on April 23, 1899, to a wealthy and cultured family in St. Petersburg, Russia. His childhood in St. Petersburg and later childhood in the Crimea are a significant part of "Speak, Memory." Nabokov spent his childhood steeped in literature, music and fashion, describing his enchanted surroundings in intimate, poetic detail. From vividly detailed descriptions of his nanny’s perfume to the magical land of mountain meadows inhabited by his stuffed creatures and friends, Nabokov recreated his childhood in vivid and even whimsical detail. He also explored his dual roles as both a son of privileged aristocracy and a Russian émigré bordering on refugee status, bringing a tone of duality and nostalgia to his story.
At the age of fifteen, Nabokov and his family left Russia for Germany for health reasons, and later settled in England. Nabokov attended Cambridge and later settled in France in 1922 to pursue his literary career. He lived in Montreaux, Switzerland from 1961-1977, when he passed away.
In “Speak, Memory," Nabokov largely focused on his childhood and early adulthood. He described in great detail the people, places and objects of his past and addressed his memories with a poetic but objective tone. He meandered through his memories with a sentimental and dreamy quality, capturing the beauty of his past in vibrant detail.
Following his childhood and early adulthood, Nabokov addressed his personal life, including his love of music, literature, and travel, as well as his relationships with family and friends. He discussed several important milestones in his life, including his two-year courtship with his wifeVeronica, his fifteen additional years of marriage, and the arrival of their son. He brought a tone of contentment and satisfaction to these parts of the narrative, satisfyingly bringing his story full circle.
"Speak, Memory" marked an important moment in solidifying Nabokov’s status as a world-renowned author. His poetic and dreamy writing style lent a sophisticated but accessible approach to his life narrative. He recounted the story of his life expertly, taking readers through his past and exploring his dual identities as a privileged aristocrat in Russia and a Russian émigré in a graceful and intimate way. Though his story is remarkably varied, Nabokov weaves together his threads in remarkable fashion, bringing a tone of melancholy nostalgia to his glimmering childhood memories. As such, this book is a must-read for readers seeking a skillful and creative approach to life narrative.
