Mary Nabokova

 Mary (Russian Mashen'ka or Masen'ka) is Vladimir Nabokov's debut novel. The novel was first published in 1926 under the penname V. Sirin by Russian-language publisher Slovo. Mary is the tale of Lev Glebovich's life as a Russian ex-White Guard Officer who is forced to flee Russia by the Russian Revolution. Ganin now lives in Berlin with Klara an 18-year-old Russian girl and his landlady Lydia Nikolaevna Dorn. He also is introduced to Aleksey Ivanovich Alfyorov in an elevator that is dark and deteriorating at the beginning of the story. Ganin learns from Alfyorov that Mary, his first love has become his wife. He also takes a photo. Ganin is shocked to discover this and ends his relationship Lyudmila. He is completely absorbed in the memories of his time with Mary in Russia and what Ganin says were the "happiest days" of his life. Enticed by the vision of Mary and unable to let Alfyorov have her, Ganin contrives to reunite with Mary whom he believes still loves him.