A Guide to Berlin: Gail Jones Paperback – 14 Jan. 2016

This novel is narrated by Cass, an Australian in Berlin. One day, whilst going to see the apartment where Vladimir Nabokov once lived, she is approached by Marco Gianelli. He tells her of a group who meet in the city; all lovers of literature and Nabokov, they meet up to talk and relate their ‘speak memories.’ “Speak, Memory,” was an autobiography of Nabokov’s early life, while “A Guide to Berlin,” was a short story, written in 1925 and published in a collection called, “Details of a Sunset and Other Stories,” in 1976.Despite Cass’s insistence that she is, “not a joiner,” she finds herself meeting the group. Apart from herself and Marco, there is his fellow Italian Gino, Japanese travellers Yukio and Mitsuko and New Yorker, Victor. What follows is an almost deceptively poetic novel about these six travellers and their group dynamics and friendships and the way they are changed by a tragic event.This will appeal to all lovers of literature, and, of course, Nabokov. It is unusual to find a novel which is so character, rather than plot, driven. Reflective, tentative and featuring the city of Berlin almost as another character, this is a surprisingly immersive novel. Once you have read this, possibly it will lead you – as all good books do – to read further. I am certainly going to find, and read, the short story that inspired this. Lastly, I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.

Five international travellers, Marco and Gino from Italy, Yukio and Mitsuko from Japan, and Victor from America meet regularly, inspired by a shared interest in the work of Vladimir Nabokov. Marco invites Cass, from Australia, to join their meetings. It is winter in Berlin, and Cass finds the city somewhat inaccessible. Cass has come to Berlin to write. She hasn’t started writing yet, and perhaps this meeting with its possibility of literary fellowship may provide her with momentum. Marco tells her where and when to meet, and that at the next meeting ‘they would begin a ‘speak-memory’ game in which each would introduce themselves with a densely remembered story or detail.’Cass joins the group, at 5pm the next day, and Victor is the first to speak. He tells the story of his life and of Nabokov’s influence on him. There are more meetings, and at each one a ‘speak-memory’ is shared. Friendships are formed between different members of the group, and winter in Berlin becomes more bearable. But memories are not always safe, and sometimes the past can intrude on the present in unexpected ways.The group is destroyed by a sudden, tragic event. Lives are changed unexpectedly. Friendships are challenged and stretched. Can the individuals in the group move on?Cass (together with the shade of Vladimir Nabokov) is central to this story, and we share her perspective of events: of life in Berlin – from the discomfort of her leaking boots in the snow, her pleasure in developing friendships and the impact of tragedy. ‘I like this idea – that an object sucks in the memory of its use.’ I enjoyed this novel, and will reread it at some stage. Not so much for the story (or stories) of the travellers but for the hints of Nabokov.Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Random House Australia for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this novel.Jennifer Cameron-Smith

What a clever writer. She is destined for prizes I think.

Jones has studied Nabokov's style to great effect, capturing that emigre style with its detailed, etymological, at times slightly old-fashioned but beautifully elegant, limpidly elegiac, cadences. The theme, that of the experiences of those transiently in a wintry Berlin, is Nabokovian as well, reminiscent of the mood of his post-Russian writing as he dealt with life as an exile. the characters, too are typical Nabokovian eccentrics, not entirely likeable but wonderfully human. It's unusual to find a non-Russian writer who can capture classical Russian mood that Nabokov does so well, of life's eternal questions luring within the quotidian.I haven't finished yet so hope the ending will not disappoint, but it is taking me a while to read, mainly because I stop every so often to savour the beauty of the writing. Extremely polished.