Vladimir Nabokov

NABOKV-L post 0006385, Sun, 17 Feb 2002 17:17:18 -0800

Subject
Translation of Nabokov as recollected by Montreux Palace barman]]
Date
Body
EDITOR's NOTE. NABOKV-L thanks Sergey Aksyonov for his translation of
this lurid item. See bottom section.

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Translation? Nabokov as recollected by Montreux Palace
barman]
Date: Sun, 17 Feb 2002 19:11:30 -0500
From: aksenov <aksenov@mac.com>
To: Vladimir Nabokov Forum <NABOKV-L@LISTSERV.UCSB.EDU>


On Sunday, February 17, 2002, at 12:31 PM, D. Barton Johnson wrote:

> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: Re: Nabokov as recollected by Montreux Palace barman
> Date: Sun, 17 Feb 2002 06:08:57 -0800 (PST)
> From: Phillip Iannarelli <iann88us@yahoo.com>
> To: Vladimir Nabokov Forum <NABOKV-L@LISTSERV.UCSB.EDU>
>
>
>
> Is there a chance we might all get the barman story in
> English?

---------------------
The story by the barman Antonio Trigero (?) (described as a "hot
spaniard" talking to an "absolutely Russian soul") is a rather trite
account of Nabokov drinking exclusively "coffee, mineral water, and tea"
at the bar, but never wine or vodka. The interviewer regards this fact
as a "loyalty to the writer from Russia", when Antonio "considerately"
adds "at least not at the bar". Antonio also recollects "a pleasant low
voice" and that "he was in general a witty and charming person".

Sergej