Nabokov's Eros and the Poetics of Desire [Hardcover]

Nabokov gained international fame with Lolita, a highly erotic and morally disturbing novel. Through its comprehensive study of the amorous and sexual behaviors of Nabokov's characters this book shows how Eros, both as a clown or a pervert, contributes to the poetic excellence of his novels and accounts for the unfolding of the plots.Introduction PART I: EROS' AGE-OLD TRICKS 1. The Tribulations of Adonis 2. Eve's Dupes PART II: STERILE PERVERSIONS 3. A Mere Animal Need: King, Queen Knave 4. No Need 5. Cruelty is Bliss PART III: CREATIVE PERVERSIONS 6. In a Glass Darkly: Pale Fire 7. Nymph-Hunting 8. Recreating the Androgyn: Ada Epilogue: Eros' Denials Bibliography Index

'The book escorts us through [Nabakov's] novels and stories with a mixture of quotation and summary. . . the result is both enjoyable and revelatory - an exhilarating, speeded-up journey through Nabakov's oeuvre' - The Guardian

Maurice Couturier is Emeritus Professor at the University of Nice, France. He is the editor of Nabokov's novels in the Pl?iade edition, and the translator of many of his and David Lodge's novels. He has undertaken a new career as a novelist.