José Prieto, Ph.D., Speaks about Butterflies and Nabokov

José M. Prieto, Ph.D., distinguished writer and member of the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, was the guest speaker at "Nabokov, Naturally," an event organized by the College of Arts and Sciences at Cornell University on Friday, March 15, 2024. Invited by Professor Anindita Banerjee of the Comparative Literature and the Environment and Sustainability Programs at Cornell, Prieto discussed the conjunction of his novel, Nocturnal Butterflies of the Russian Empire (2001), with Vladimir Nabokov’s works.

The event was an outgrowth of a seminar in which Nocturnal Butterflies is taught. The seminar explores the profound interest Nabokov had in the natural world as well as the sciences and the arts.

Prieto participated in the panel, discussion, and public dialogue entitled "The Butterfly Effect: Vladimir Nabokov as Scientist and Artist," with fellow scientists, humanists, curators. He and the others offered perspectives on Nabokov’s butterfly collection, writings, and other relics of his time at Cornell, and on the author’s pursuits as a writer, a scientist and an artist.

Prieto was formerly a visiting professor at Cornell University, and he was delighted to return for this event. Nocturnal Butterflies is part of his Russian Trilogy, which includes Encyclopedia of a Life in Russia and Rex: A Novel. He teaches courses in Spanish literature and culture here at Seton Hall.

Categories: Arts and Culture, Education, Research