A genius needs to keep so much in store, and thus cannot offer you the whole of himself as I do.
Vladimir Nabokov – Pnin
Genius’s Burden
G
Pnin by Vladimir Nabokov is a novel about a Russian professor, Timofey Pnin, who teaches at a small college in America. The book is divided into chapters that describe different episodes in his life, including his attempts to find a place to live, his troubled marriage, and his interactions with his colleagues and students. Pnin is depicted as a kind and eccentric man who is struggling to adjust to life in a new country. The book is a witty and insightful portrait of a character who is both endearing and flawed. Overall, Pnin is a beautifully written and poignant novel that captures the immigrant experience with humor and compassion.