Vladimir Nabokov, “Good Readers and Good Writers”

According to Nabokov a good reader should, 1) concentrate on the social-economic angle, 2) have an imagination, 3) have a dictionary, and 4) have some artistic sense. The first three I chose and would agree with, the fourth is so relative and I believe even the most logical thinker has some artistic sense so it’s kind of a given.

I feel that, and would agree with, Nabokov’s overall view of a good reader is one that enters into any literary encounter with an open mind, void of any preconceived ideas based on personal feelings of an author, reviews, or knowledge of a particular subject matter. Something I feel he contradicts when he claimed that Jane Austin’s book on land owning England was somehow naïve because, “All she knew was a clergyman’s parlor.” (Pg. 613) My question would be, “How does Nabokov know what Jane experienced?”

One thing that Nabokov pointed out that resonated with me was that every good reader is a rereader, something that I very seldom do.

Overall I feel a good reader should keep an open mind, enjoy, and remember, “That every great writer is a great deceiver.” (Pg.616)

                                                              Works cited:

Nabokov, Vladimir. “Good Readers and Good Writers.” Norton Reader shorter 11^th Edition ( Date unknown): 613-17. Print.

  

This is still somewhat noisy, but improved.

Hello this is Dean DeGroot, Born And raised in MN. Spent six years in the Navy in my 20s. Moved to Prescott Valley in 1993. I am a construction electrician with two children. My 22 year old son is engaged to be married in June, 2012. My daughter is 19 and just graduated from BMHS in Prescott Valley.