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Ed's Reviews > Laughter in the Dark
Laughter in the Dark
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Laughter in the Dark is the story of a married man’s destructive obsession with an attractive young girl. Not a shocking thematic departure for Nabokov, but the novel nonetheless has its own unique character. In terms of its tone it is light and ironic, and in its treatment of its themes, uncomplicated. Nabokov suggests the tragic ending in the first paragraph, forgoing any dramatic tension, and allowing the reader to just sit back and enjoy the inevitable train wreck. This is a tragic comedy with the character of a moral parable. The lesson is: stick with your wife; and watch out for the pretty ones, they are especially insidious. I wonder to what extent Nabokov was working through his own issues with fidelity and temptation.
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Reading Progress
December 2, 2015
– Shelved
February 22, 2018
–
Started Reading
February 26, 2018
–
Finished Reading
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Dolors
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Feb 26, 2018 12:35AM
I had this very same volume in my hands on Saturday, as a possible candidate for my next read. Good to have your pithy impressions before I decide to finally take the plunge, Edward.
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Dolors wrote: "I had this very same volume in my hands on Saturday, as a possible candidate for my next read. Good to have your pithy impressions before I decide to finally take the plunge, Edward."Do it, Dolors. It's a quick and enjoyable read. It probably even deserves an extra star; I wonder if I'm being too hard on these poor authors.
Ah! That Nabokovian seduction again. I still prefer his lovely Pale Fire to Lolita and so, may keep this one at bay for the time being. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Edward.
Seemita wrote: "Ah! That Nabokovian seduction again. I still prefer his lovely Pale Fire to Lolita and so, may keep this one at bay for the time being. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Edward."Absolutely, Seemita. I have enjoyed (most of) his other novels, but the two you mention are on another level.
Oyuka wrote: "Is it different from Lolita?"Very different. Apart from the obsession with a young girl and the themes of jealousy and betrayal, the novels are completely different in tone. Also, Laughter in the Dark was written in Russian and translated to English (by Nabokov himself), so there is less of the natural wordplay (rhyme, alliteration, etc) that you find in his English novels.
I read Despair recently and have Bend Sinister waiting... this could be next on the line, Edward... I like the idea that the dramatic tension is disolved at the start so that one can then enjoy his magic with words and irony.
Kalliope wrote: "I read Despair recently and have Bend Sinister waiting... this could be next on the line, Edward... I like the idea that the dramatic tension is disolved at the start so..."I hope you enjoy Bend Sinister, Kalliope. It's one of the few novels of his I didn't really like. Despair is on my list to get to as well. It looks interesting, based on your review.
