Timofey Pnin, a displaced Russian academic, struggles to navigate the complexities of American university life while grappling with his own profound social alienation. As a professor at Waindell College, Pnin attempts to integrate into a culture that remains perpetually foreign to him, often resulting in comedic misunderstandings and bureaucratic mishaps. His objective is to maintain his dignity and professional standing despite his lack of linguistic fluency and his tendency toward physical clumsiness. He faces opposition from indifferent colleagues, a demanding academic environment, and the persistent, haunting memories of his past in Russia. The narrative framework employs a detached, often ironic third-person perspective that gradually reveals the narrator's own complex relationship with the protagonist.

Readers and critics frequently highlight the balance between the comedic physical slapstick and the underlying melancholy of Pnin's isolation. Discussion often centers on the narrator's evolving presence, which adds a layer of complexity to the seemingly straightforward academic satire. Many observers note the precision of the prose, which captures the nuances of a non-native speaker attempting to master English. The atmosphere is often described as both affectionate and biting, reflecting the author's own complicated relationship with his subject matter. Readers generally appreciate how the book manages to be both a character study and a critique of the insular world of academia.