After Reading Nabokov's 'Natasha'

b''h 

26 Sept 2013

After Reading Nabokov's 'Natasha'

The young woman had visions, she

Said -- visions of Mary; and

The young man spoke of his travels

To exotic lands -- lands of

Essence and incense -- but he

Was lying; and although her father 

Was near death,  the young woman 

Didn't stay by his bedside -- but 

Left with the young man and

They went to the country for the day --

And when they came back the young 

Man told the young woman he loved

Her...  And she saw a vision of her

Father and he was alive and well and

Going to get the newspaper, but when

She went upstairs there were people

On the threshold of the sick-room and

She learned that her father had died.

She probably didn't know that death usually

Comes to a person when he is alone.

http://www.newyorker.com/

fiction/features/2008/06/09/080609fi_fiction_nabokov

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

some of the decisions we make really come back to haunt us...when we put our own pleasure in front of the love of family....it will hurt for a long time.

[Firestone Feinberg]

I think that is one of the big reasons the story affected me... seems there are regrets... we just have to live with them... and try not to make the same mistakes again. Thanks, Jacob. --David

[bobc]

D...I liked this one but I have to admit I've never read Natasha though I did have a look at the article in your link. Thanx for posting...bobc

[Firestone Feinberg]

I had never read it until a friend recommended it. I've never written this kind of poem before -- like about a work of art or a piece of music or a tory... but I guess I just wanted to say something about this story. It affected me.... Thanks so much for reviewing. --David