Who said “Life is a great surprise. I don't see why death should not be an even greater one.”?

Verified

Vladimir Nabokov. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourcePale Fire (1962)

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

Source checked · Something wrong? Report a correction

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Pale Fire (1962).

APA

Nabokov, V. (n.d.). Life is a great surprise. I don't see why death should not be an even greater one. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/17026-life-is-a-great-surprise-i-dont-see/

MLA

Nabokov, Vladimir. “Life is a great surprise. I don't see why death should not be an even greater one.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/17026-life-is-a-great-surprise-i-dont-see/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Nabokov, Vladimir. “Life is a great surprise. I don't see why death should not be an even greater one.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/17026-life-is-a-great-surprise-i-dont-see/.