Penguin Modern Classics: Ada or Ardor - Vladimir Nabokov

"Destroy and forget. But we still have an hour before tea…"
Vladimir Nabokov’s Ada or Ardor is a dazzling masterpiece that defies categorization. At its heart, it is an epic love story, tracing the passionate and tumultuous relationship between Ada and Van Veen. But this ambitious novel is also a fairy tale, a satirical exploration of time, and a celebration of the boundless possibilities of imagination.

The Story of Ada and Van
From their childhood meeting on a lush country estate in a “dream-bright” alternate America, Ada and Van embark on a relationship that spans eighty years, crossing continents and surviving countless separations and reunions. Over decades, they uncover the strange truth of their connection and, later in life, reflect on their extraordinary journey, transforming their shared memories into art.

Themes and Insights
Love and Time: An exploration of a love so profound it transcends traditional boundaries of time and morality.
Reality and Imagination: Nabokov’s world blends elements of reality with fantastical creations, blurring the line between truth and artifice.
Erotic Satire: The novel playfully delves into human passion, weaving a rich tapestry of emotion and wit.
Why Read Ada or Ardor?
Nabokov’s longest and most intricate novel, Ada or Ardor, showcases his signature linguistic brilliance and inventive storytelling. It is a celebration of art, love, and the fleeting nature of life, offering readers an experience that is as intellectually stimulating as it is emotionally moving.

About Vladimir Nabokov
Born in St. Petersburg, Vladimir Nabokov fled Russia after the Bolshevik Revolution, eventually writing some of the most acclaimed novels of the 20th century in both Russian and English. Best known for Lolita, his works include Pale Fire, Speak, Memory, and The Luzhin Defence. Nabokov’s unique blend of linguistic virtuosity and thematic depth has cemented his legacy as a literary genius.