When we hear the name Vladimir Nabokov, we immediately think of the famous writer. This is true, but the same name was borne by the father of the writer, who was a person of real significance, weight, and at one time very famous. That is why the first twenty years of writing, Vladimir Vladimirovich was published under the pseudonym Sirin-so that he would not be confused with his father. There is a lot of information about Nabokov the elder, there are studies devoted to him, but still there are many dark spots, ambiguities, inaccuracies. These gaps are filled by the first complete biography of Vladimir Dmitrievich Nabokov, written by the Berlin writer Grigory Arosev. In a lively and fascinating book, the author answers many questions about Nabokov himself, about his views, about his family and children - including about the relationship with his eldest son, who later made the surname famous all over the world.