Subject: Re: [NABOKV-L] QUERY: Spiral / Helical Staircases
From: "Stan Kelly-Bootle" <[email-masked]>
To: "Vladimir Nabokov Forum" <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 06 Apr 2007 14:12:02 -0400

On 5/4/07 03:08, "NABOKV-L" <[email-masked]> wrote:

> In both Pale Fire and Ada, the spiral staircase is either in the
> library or connects to a library.
> 
> In Pale Fire, Gradus descends the staircase while a "Hindu library
> assistant" stands at the top of the spiral with catalogue card in
> hand. In Ada, Van and Ada ascend on a semi-secret spiral staircase
> to the library  where the "night of the Burning Barn" takes place.
> 
> In both novels the spiral staircase and library themes are
> intertwined.
> 
> I doubt this answers your question since you mention both in your
> query but thought I'd just bring this into the equation.
> 
> ---Suellen
> 
> Suellen Stringer-Hye
> Vanderbilt University
> Website:http://staffweb.library.vanderbilt.edu/libtech/stringer/
> Email: [email-masked]
> 
> --On Tuesday, April 03, 2007 7:08 PM -0400 NABOKV-L
> <[email-masked]> wrote:
> 
>> Dear list,
>> 
>> Spiral staircases appear in several of VN's works.  Podtyagin
>> descends one  in Mary, Gradus descends a "helical staircase" in
>> the Wordsmith library,  and Van runs down a short spiral
>> staircase to meet Ada. I am also aware of  the hidden spiral
>> staircase in VN's chilhood home. Beyond these, what other  spiral
>> staircases appear in VN's works? I'm sure I'm missing some.
>> 
>> Thanks,
>> Matt Roth
> 
>

Just a thought ‹ during VN¹s Taos visitation, it is possible he went to see
the Miraculous Spiral Staircase in Santa Fe Cathedral? I know I did! It¹s
what the brochures descibe as MUST-SEE.

http://www.funtripslive.com/santa_fe/miracle_staircase/staircase.htm

Stan Kelly-Bootle

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