Pale Fire is a novel by Vladimir Nabokov, first published in 1962. It is a work of fiction, but it is also a commentary on literature, art, and life. The novel is divided into two parts: a 999-line poem, written by the fictional poet John Shade, and a commentary on the poem by Shade's neighbor and friend, Charles Kinbote.
The poem, titled "Pale Fire," is a meditation on life, death, and the beauty of the natural world. Shade muses on his own mortality, his love for his wife, and his admiration for the beauty of the world around him. He also reflects on the nature of art and literature, and the power of words to capture and convey emotion.
The commentary by Kinbote is a strange and often humorous exploration of Shade's poem. Kinbote is a self-proclaimed "scholar" of Shade's work, and he offers his own interpretations of the poem's meaning. He also reveals his own eccentricities and obsessions, which often lead him to bizarre conclusions.
The novel is a complex exploration of art, literature, and life. It is a work of fiction, but it also serves as a commentary on the power of words and the beauty of the natural world. Through Shade's poem and Kinbote's commentary, Nabokov creates a unique and thought-provoking work of literature. Pale Fire is a classic of modern literature, and it continues to be read and studied by readers around the world.