This is one of the funnier and darker Nabokov novels. Definitely one of my favorites

expert description of the revision process from the perspective of the frustrated editor who yet understands that modification is murder of artistic vision, presented as R’s refusal to un-nymphetize a character in his book.

“I have been accused of trifling with minors, but my minor characters are untouchable, if you permit me a pun.”

Additional humorous discussion of the significance of a book's title.

The other plot involves Hugh Person's somnambulance, wherein he accidentally (?) chokes out his wife in her sleep. Darkly humorous discussion of technique with therapist:

Next, it was explained to him that in strangling a young adult one of two methods was commonly used: the amateurish, none too efficient, frontal attack, and the more professional approach made from behind. In the first method, the eight fingers stiffly encircle the victim’s neck while the two thumbs compress his or her throat; one runs, however, the risk of her or his hands seizing one’s wrists or otherwise fighting off the assault. The second, much safer way, from behind, consists in pressing both thumbs hard against the back of the boy’s or, preferably, girl’s neck and working upon the throat with one’s fingers. The first hold is dubbed among us “Pouce,” the second “Fingerman.” We know you attacked from the rear, but the following question arises: when you planned to throttle your wife why did you choose the Fingerman? Because you instinctively felt that its sudden and vigorous grip presented the best chance of success? Or did you have other, subjective, considerations in mind, such as thinking you’d really hate to watch her changes of facial expression during the process?

He did not plan anything. He had slept throughout the horrible automatic act, waking up only when both had landed on the floor by the bed.

and harrowing death in the fire

Crumbling partitions of plaster and wood allowed human cries to reach him, and one of his last wrong ideas was that those were the shouts of people anxious to help him, and not the howls of fellow men.

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