this book just blew my mind! so effin good yo! read it - its worth it! ( )

wonderful ( )

Nabokov's linguistic gymnastics are spectacular in this novel. Likewise, his infatuation with lepidotera flutters through all the pages. Could not put it down! ( )

Ada, or Ardor, is an enigmatic work, which is a curious if redundant tag to place upon anything Nabokov wrote. His longest work by far, it is an immersive, overwhelming, somewhat self-indulgent but incredibly rewarding work that may take a while to get through -- it took me over seven months -- but is well worth the trip.

The narrative, if it is to be described simply, involves the lifelong love affair between the title character and her "cousin," our narrator Van Veen. Early in the novel, we are told that, though they think they are cousins, due to a pair of extramarital affairs, they are actually brother and sister. As a result, their love must consist of clandestine codes and secret liaisons. Though they part and reconcile, they both find that they are inexorably drawn together, no matter the taboo.

Such a description completely eradicates the joy of the novel, which as always for Nabokov is in his masterful command of language. The novel is brimming with puns and wordplay, occasionally to the point of distraction, and the ease with which Nabokov traverses his three languages of expertise -- English, Russian, and French -- makes the novel nothing short of a linguistic masterwork. But it also makes the novel a rather slow read, as the reader's mind tries to keep up with the author's play. And for a 600-page novel, that can get rather exhausting indeed.

On the plus side, the work's relatively simplistic plot makes it easy to follow, no matter at what point you decide to lay it down for a while. The fantastical setting -- an ur-planet known as Anti-Terra, which bears a striking resemblance to Earth but has several unusual geographic features -- makes it a bit of a chore to follow along, but it's not enough to keep the book feeling familiar. In addition, though the first part of the novel takes up over half the book, much of it is devoted to individual scenes of the couple's ardor, which means there's little to remember. By the novel's end, each part gets shorter but also more abstract, making the task of keeping things together somewhat more challenging but also more manageable.

Ultimately, the novel is a joy to read, even if it feels as if Nabokov's brilliance might have benefited from a somewhat more judicious editor. It's the kind of work that rewards full immersion, and as a result it succeeds best when one can take one's time and really savor what Nabokov is doing. In that regard, Ada, or Ardor, represents the master at his bombastic best, and any fan would be remiss if they opted to pass this over.

"Family chronicle" of relatives Ada and Van Veen, and their (very) dysfunctional family. Although I thought the writing in this book was absolutely wonderful (note to self: must read more books by Nabokov), I did get bogged down a bit towards the end. Like Lolita, this book does have some unsavory aspects to it, so I would probably tell anyone easily offended to pass on it. ( )

The use of language by Nabokov in this book is amazing. This edition has good translations and notes to help you through the Franco Prussian word play that mixes with the English. The genius of this author's understanding of the power of word is fully displayed in this surreal dance. ( )

Nabokov the linguist goes beserk here, revelling in a lifetime's dictionary-gleanings, dispensing quips like a croupier dealing cards. The literary parody is very funny, and the other-earth idea perfectly-conceived, but at the heart of this novel is a frigid disdain for the characters, a constipation of emotion. Nabokov the author seems bored. ( )

It would seem to me blasphemous to review such a book. Ada deserves to be reread throughout a lifetime. ( )

A strange and difficult novel from the linguistic master. So addling and baffling I know that I need to read it again (and perhaps again and again and again). ( )

I was very disappointed in ADA. Nabokov is an awesome wordsmith, but his cleverness gets the better of him in this text. It's a self-indulgant paen to his witty writing style - at the cost of losing the point of the story. I was hoping to find an intricate study on the incestuous relationship between brother and sister...but it was seriously lacking. ( )

'Ada' falls into the 'misstep' category - especially when compared with the certainty and power of Nabokov's more canonical works, namely 'Lolita', 'Pale Fire', etc. The narrative of 'Ada' felt disjointed, and the characters lacked the sly, magnetic, sinister charisma that Nabokov usually manages to evoke in his protagonists with ease. Was not engaged, and do not recommend.

Conclusion: Stick with 'Lolita'. ( )

First, let me say how much I love Librarything, especially for giving me the opportunity to comment on ADA, a book I read 38 years ago. I have always wanted to tell someone how much I hated it, but have never found anyone else who had read it. It is intensely willfully egocentric, the writing style is dry to the point of astringency, uninsightful, elliptical to point of incomprehensibility, and thoroughly unenjoyable. There, I've said it and can relax. How could the author of Lolita allow this waste of time to be published? ( )

This book is an immensely fun guilty pleasure. Nabokov somehow manages to take the most lurid of forbidden lusts, couch it in an entrancing, rhythmic prose, and draw the reader irresistibly to what would otherwise be a disgusting experiment in sexual deviance.

The descriptive quality of this novel defies explanation. Combined with Nabokov's erudite sarcasm and seemingly masturbatory philosophical and psychological word games, otherwise meaningless rambles into topics that are at best orthogonally related to the story-line still manage not to bore.

The novel lags shortly after midway, and part four is a bit self-indulgent on the part of the author, but overall this is a massive bundle of forbidden joy situated between a front and back cover.

Note to the reader: if you don't know French, make sure you get an annotated version. ( )

OK, so it's not Lolita, but this guy can still write circles around almost every single professional author on the planet...for the last 200 years...and he's writing in this 3rd language. He was raised first speaking and writing Russian and then French, or was it French then Russian. I forget, you know Russian nobility. ( )

I really don't have much to add to what ahistorian said. This book brings to the mind the image of a sirian dessert dripping honey. I've read it in translation, and its richness and exuberance are preserved through the languages. ( )

When asked I ususally claim this as my favorite book of all time. I love Nabokov's language. He pulls so many elements into his writing. Its lyric. His characters come to eccentric life. Strange outlooks on life immerse you. The threads of language, character, plot and many seemingly extraneous ideas come together in a powerful glimpse at life and love. Nabokov's ability to bring such fascinating characters to life is amazing. Van and Ada are unique, multi-faceted characters whose outlook on life, and whose lives leaves you feeling alive and nostolgic, and somehow inferior to their bright flaming lives. One word to sum up Nabokov and this book in particular "rich." Rich in a thousand ways. ( )

This is my favourite Nabokov, maybe my favourite book. It is lyrical, visual, it tastes like forgotten summers and smells like dust motes hanging in the attic air, this is the great Alternate America novel. ( )

Nabokov plays with language in forms that are astounding. I'm always led by the hand in Nabakov which makes a book as long as this difficult to follow because you spend so much time wandering and wondering down pathways that are perpendicular to the plot. Just soak it up and enjoy! ( )

Chronique familiale et rivalité entre deux soeurs; excellent roman typique de Nabokov - plein de sexualité et de sous-entendus ( )