I had a copy of the Luzhin Defence which I bought in Foyle's in London a couple of years back. Since chess is a major hobby of mine, and I love Nabokov (see: my handle ), I had been hankering after the book for some time.

Lost it now. Oops
That's what comes of gallivanting around the world for several years.

They published it in English at that time because there was a film of the book (can't remember who directed, search for it on the net).

I didn't find it comparable to Pale Fire, Lolita .. but there were several remarkably beautiful passages, particularly towards the end of the book, as I remember.

anyhoo sorry