Pnin is the story of a lovable émigré egghead. When we’re introduced to him, he’s a guy that can’t catch a break. The narration mocks him. His broken English, juxtaposed with Nabokov’s mastery of sentences and form, is often played for comedic effect.

But this is soon problematized. Nabokov uses a unique episodic structure to give the reader different angles and context into Pnin’s character. We likewise gain insight into the narrator, whose perspective quietly colors the text.

The reader is left to reflect on their prior reading of Pnin. Some may have allowed themselves to laugh at tragedy. It is a lesson in empathy, and a call for more careful consideration.

Now, should the lesson in empathy have involved a character that isn’t obviously a stand-in for Nabokov himself? Maybe, maybe not. Write what you know, right? It’s a moving work nonetheless.

I will add that there’s a great literary device involving a squirrel here. Inspired!