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Steven Godin's Reviews > Laughter in the Dark
Laughter in the Dark
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Original published under the name 'Camera Obscura', Vladimir Nabokov was so displeased with the quality of it's first English translation in 1936 he personally took to changing it under the now title 'Laughter in the Dark' and this becomes the first foreign novel I have read that was actually translated by the writer himself.
And If there's one thing that strikes me about Nabokov, it's the impression I get that his mind was never too far away from lust and desire, whether that be writing, having a stiff drink or going to fetch the morning paper. Dealing with similar themes although to a different developed effect with that of his 1955 masterpiece 'Lolita', Laughter in the Dark takes place mainly in Berlin and centres on seemingly happily married art critic Albinus, who after visiting a cinema catches sight of young aspiring actress Margot, who works there. He can't shake the thought of her from his mind and returns, eventually seducing her, and takes her as his mistress. After Elisabeth the wife of Albinus discovers his entanglement with Margot she takes their daughter Irma and leaves, opening the door for the couple to evolve. However to help with her dreams of hitting the big screen, Margot hatches a plan with former lover Axel Rex to deceive him while on a trip to France, with terrible consequences.
This is ultimately a tragically comic love story, although I found it far more tragic than funny, his daughter Irma would fall seriously ill and Albinus has lingering thoughts of trying to rekindle his dying marriage, but Margot turns into a nympho to fulfil his sexual appetite and wants him to get a divorce. The middle third of the novel takes on quite a sad feel and left a lump in my throat. The actions of Albinus at times seem farcical, while Margot takes to playing a sort of femme fatale with her manipulating mannerisms.
Nabokov's narrative has the most precise pacing, and is decisive, witty but with a slightly morbid
sensibility. Would have loved to see the characters and story developed even further as they were just so readable. I simply craved for more!. Anyway, a fabulous novel, one of his very best.
And If there's one thing that strikes me about Nabokov, it's the impression I get that his mind was never too far away from lust and desire, whether that be writing, having a stiff drink or going to fetch the morning paper. Dealing with similar themes although to a different developed effect with that of his 1955 masterpiece 'Lolita', Laughter in the Dark takes place mainly in Berlin and centres on seemingly happily married art critic Albinus, who after visiting a cinema catches sight of young aspiring actress Margot, who works there. He can't shake the thought of her from his mind and returns, eventually seducing her, and takes her as his mistress. After Elisabeth the wife of Albinus discovers his entanglement with Margot she takes their daughter Irma and leaves, opening the door for the couple to evolve. However to help with her dreams of hitting the big screen, Margot hatches a plan with former lover Axel Rex to deceive him while on a trip to France, with terrible consequences.
This is ultimately a tragically comic love story, although I found it far more tragic than funny, his daughter Irma would fall seriously ill and Albinus has lingering thoughts of trying to rekindle his dying marriage, but Margot turns into a nympho to fulfil his sexual appetite and wants him to get a divorce. The middle third of the novel takes on quite a sad feel and left a lump in my throat. The actions of Albinus at times seem farcical, while Margot takes to playing a sort of femme fatale with her manipulating mannerisms.
Nabokov's narrative has the most precise pacing, and is decisive, witty but with a slightly morbid
sensibility. Would have loved to see the characters and story developed even further as they were just so readable. I simply craved for more!. Anyway, a fabulous novel, one of his very best.
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Jan 25, 2017 06:41AM
which Nabokov's your favorite?
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Sahel wrote: "which Nabokov's your favorite?"I would have to say 'Pale Fire' on the whole, although 'Lolita' contains the best prose I have come across.
I have yet to read Nabokov (ashamed to admit that huge gap!) and am delighted to read your lovely review - motivation to get started!
Lisa wrote: "I have yet to read Nabokov (ashamed to admit that huge gap!) and am delighted to read your lovely review - motivation to get started!"This would be a great place to start, short and easy to read. I would avoid 'Pale Fire' as a first Nabokov, unless you don't mind being thrown in at the deep end!
Jean-Paul wrote: "Splendid review, Steven. I also wish to become more acquainted with Nabokov's works, your review has given me the perfect point of departure..."Thank you Jean-Paul, I myself was late in being acquainted with his work, so glad I did!
This was my first Nabokov and the story mostly waned from my memory, but not the impression it left. Every next one of Nabokov only enhanced my infatuation with his prose, Steven. Thanks for rekindling this one with your enticing review, I should re-read it.
Ilse wrote: "This was my first Nabokov and the story mostly waned from my memory, but not the impression it left. Every next one of Nabokov only enhanced my infatuation with his prose, Steven. Thanks for rekind..."Thanks IIse, it was the prose of Lolita that left me in awe of just how good he is, but I do wish I had read this first, it has a lighter tone and was certainly more comfortable to read.
The birth of the daughter totally altered my response to Lolita in a second read...I still loved the prose, but the story & Nabokov's playfulness became far more unsettling and hard to bear.
Ilse wrote: "The birth of the daughter totally altered my response to Lolita in a second read...I still loved the prose, but the story & Nabokov's playfulness became far more unsettling and hard to bear."That's understandable IIse, for many it still causes an unpleasant feeling, I think had Lolita been a modern novel wouldn't have gone anywhere near it.
Thanks for this, Steven. Very elegant articulation of VN's work.
Glenn wrote: "Thanks for this, Steven. Very elegant articulation of VN's work."Thanks for liking!
Superb review, Steven. You describe a complicated response lucidly.
This is one book of his that I've overlooked, and I love this title. It was interesting reading the bit about translations because while reading a biography of his wife, Vera, a while back, I found out that they both sometimes hated what publishers would do to his translations so she translated and edited his books (she also spoke several languages). Thanks for making me consider this read, as if the tbr isn't already piling up right?
Excellently put. I rather enjoyed the rough translation, grammatically. This was only my second Nabokov novel (after Lolita) and I must admit, I've become a quick fanatic. While I understand and appreciate your admission that you found this novel more sad than funny, I vehemently disagree (which likely says more about me than it does about you).
One could interpret your review to mean that Nabokov was simply a dirty old man: "the impression I get that his mind was never too far away from lust and desire, whether that be writing, having a stiff drink or going to fetch the morning paper."
