In an era of inept and ignorant imitations whose pipedin background musichas hypnotized innocent readers into fearing literalitys salutary jolt somereviewers we... » 

In an era of inept and ignorant imitations whose pipedin background musichas hypnotized innocent readers into fearing literalitys salutary jolt somereviewers were upset by the humble fidelity of my version. . . . Such wasVladimir Nabokovs response to the storm of controversy aroused by the firstedition of his literal translation of Eugene Onegin. This bold rendering of theRussian masterpiece together with Nabokovs detailed and witty commentary isitself a work of enduring literary interest and reflects a lifelong admirationfor Pushkin on the part of one of this centurys most brilliant stylists. «