Pale Fire Summary
Vladimir Nabokov

Pale Fire Summary

To initial appearances, Pale Fire is the final, unfinished poem by renowned poet John Shade, with a forward and commentary by fellow university instructor Charles Kinbote. However, through the commentary, this novel becomes the story Charles Kinbote longs to tell, the story of Charles X, the exiled, beloved king of Zembla. Kinbote proves himself an unreliable narrator, and the reader must attempt to discern the layers of illusive truth behind the tale.

In the fictitious forward, Kinbote introduces the poet John Shade and the 999-line unfinished poem called "Pale Fire" that he wrote in the last month of his life. Kinbote proves himself to be at odds with other critics of Shade and introduces himself as a neighbor and friend of the late poet.

The poem itself includes imagery of reflection and focuses on themes of death. An autobiographical work, it details Shade's relationship with his wife and daughter and... View more of the Pale Fire Summary