Poems and Problems () is a book by Vladimir Nabokov published in 1969. It consists of 39 poems originally written in Russian and translated by Nabokov, 14 poems written in English, and 18 chess problems.
One of the 39 poems originally written in Russian, "Lilith," in 1928, can be looked at as a foreshadowing of his 1955 novel Lolita. However, in the author's notes, Nabokov states that "Intelligent readers will abstain from examining this impersonal fantasy for any links with my later fiction," and that the poem was written "...to amuse a friend."
Table of contents THIRTY-NINE RUSSIAN POEMS English Russian1. The Rain Has Flown Дождь пролетел2. To Liberty К свободе3. I Still Keep Mute Еще безмолвствую и крепну я в тиши4. Hotel Room Номер в гостинице5. Provence Солнце6. La Bonne Lorraine7. The Blazon Герб8. The Mother Мать9. I Like That Mountain Люблю я гору10. The Dream Сновидение11. The Snapshot Снимок12. In Paradise В раю13. The Execution Расстрел14. For Happiness the Lover Cannot Sleep От счастия влюбленному не спится15. Lilith Лилит16. The Muse К музе17. Soft Sound Тихий шум18. Snow Снег19. The Formula Формула20. An Unfinished Draft Неоконченный черновик21. Evening on a Vacant Lot Вечер на пустыре22. The Madman Безумец23. How I Love You Как я люблю тебя24. L'Inconnue de la Seine25. At Sunset На закате26. We So Firmly Believed Мы с тобой так верили27. What Happened Overnight Что за ночь с памятью случилось28. The Poets Поэты29. To Russia К России30. Oculus Око31. Fame Слава32. The Paris Poem Парижская поэма33. No Matter How Каким бы полотном батальным34. On Rulers О правителях35. To Prince S.M. Kachurin К князю С.М. Качурину36. A Day Like Any Other Был день как день37. Irregular Iambics Неправильные ямбы38. What Is the Evil Deed Какое сделал я дурное дело39. From the Gray North С серого севера FOURTEEN ENGLISH POEMS English 1 A Literary Dinner 2 The Refrigerator Awakes 3 A Discovery 4 The Poem 5 An Evening of Russian Poetry 6 The Room 7 Voluptates Tactionum 8 Restoration 9 The Poplar10 Lines Written in Oregon11 Ode to a Model12 On Translating Eugene Onegin13 Rain14 The Ballad of Longwood Glen
Quote "Chess problems demand from the composer the same virtues that characterize all worthwhile art: originality, invention, conciseness, harmony, complexity, and splendid insincerity."
External links "Nabokov Under Glass" (New York Public Library)