Vladimir Nabokov

Nabokov was a Russian-born writer who lived in America for some time before moving to Switzerland where he died. He published books written in Russian and other written in English. His use of language has been lauded in both cases. Nabokov met much controvery when he attempted first to publish his novel, Lolita, in America. Four publishers turned down what would become his most famous novel because it dealt with pedophilia. Many critics and well-known authors considered the manuscript to be appalling. One American publisher claimed that if he published the work he and Nabokov would surely go to jail. The book was finally picked up by a publisher in Europe who Nabokov knew has published James Joyce and Henry Miller. He did not know, however, that the company had recently published mostly pornographic novels. After originally being banned in France, Lolita eventually made its way to America where it began very successful and spawned two film versions.

This web site was created by CNN.com for the centennial celebration of Nabkov's birth in 1999.

http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/books/1999/nabokov/