EDNOTE. Andrew Brown here refers to an earlier mystery in Nabokoland. Some years ago a prominent Russian emigre literary figure argued that Nabokov was the true author of an obscure novel that had appeared in the twenties under the name of Ageev. There was a great flap over the affair until it was finally established that Ageev, who lies buried in Constantinople, was in fact the author. Those interested in may search the NABOKV-L archive for further information.

----- Original Message -----

From: Andrew Brown

To: Vladimir Nabokov Forum

Sent: Wednesday, April 14, 2004 7:54 PM

Subject: Re: Fw: Ron Rosenbaum on cryptomnesia and the latest Lolita scandal

Okay, if it's from Rodney, I'll read it. What I had fun reading some years ago was "Novel With Cocaine". Again, some mystery about the authorship. Died young and unknown. What made me think about Nabokov were the outdoor scenes in Speak Memory with his first love, Tamara, and how their affair faded as Volodya, in his brief period of wealth had more and more trouble seeking out love nooks in St. Petersburg. The coke action in Novel/Cocaine also seemed to take place on cold evenings in Berlin. Many years later, Nabokov's name was brought in as possible author since he was a sly novelist familiar with Berlin in those days.