The New Yorker magazine frequently used to run new stories by Vladimir Nabokov. After the writer emigrated from Europe to the States 1940, some 33 original works were published in the magazine's pages. So perhaps it is to be expected that one of Nabokov's earliest short stories, probably written in Berlin around 1924, now brings the tally to 34. It is called Natasha and is published for the first time in English in the magazine's summer fiction issue.
Part of the Library of Congress's Nabokov archive, the story has been translated by Dmitri Nabokov, the author's son. The issue contains no further information about Dmitri's plans to publish The Original of Laura, his father's final novel, intended by its author to be consigned to the flames.
For those used to Nabokov's naturalised English-language writing, Natasha is, refreshingly, almost Tolstoyan in its pacing and diction, not to mention in its theme, while the access to the psychology of childhood is closer to Henry James.
But you don't need me to tell you about it because, thanks to the world wide wonder, you can read it here for free.
