Laughter in the Dark
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| Author | Vladimir Nabokov |
|---|---|
| Original title | Камера Обскура |
| Country | Russia |
| Language | Russian |
| Genre(s) | Novel |
| Publisher | Bobbs-Merrill Co |
| Released | 1932 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 292 pp |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-8112-0708-0 (1978 English edition) & ISBN 5-306-00189-0 (2001 Russian edition) |
Laughter in the Dark (Original Russian title: Камера Обскура, Kamera Obskura) is a novel written by Vladimir Nabokov. It was released in 1932, translated into English as Camera Obscura in 1936 and with the more common name Laughter in the Dark in 1938. The book deals with the affection of a middle-aged man for a very young woman, resulting in a mutually parasitic relationship. In 1955, Nabokov used this theme again with Lolita to a much greater effect.
Contents |
[edit] Characters
The characters were given different names in the English translation. In the following list the names of the main characters of the English translation are given first with the original names in parentheses.
- Albert Albinus (Bruno Krechmar): a middle-aged art-critic
- Margot Peters (Magda Peters): an 18-year-old wannabe film star
- Axel Rex (Robert Gorn, probably Robert Horn): A painter from New York and Margot's first lover
[edit] Plot
Albinus is a respected art critic, who lives in Berlin. He leaves his wife and child for the 18-year old Margot, who uses him to become a film star, her ambition in life. Albinus introduces Margot to Axel Rex, but he does not know the two had previously been lovers. Margot and Rex resume their relationship, and start plotting to get Albinus out of the way, while robbing him of his money.
Albinus delivers Margot her first role as an actress, but she does not appear to be very talented, and only the wealth of Albinus ensures she gets to play her role. It is only when Albinus becomes blind, he truly sees Margot's betrayal. He flees with her to Switzerland to get away from Rex, but to no avail.
[edit] Film adaptation
In 1969, Laughter in the Dark was adapted for film directed by Tony Richardson, which would originally star Richard Burton as Albinus. When he was fired for drunkenness, he was replaced by Nicol Williamson. Anna Karina played the role of Margot, Jean-Claude Drouot played the role of Axel Rex.
[edit] Literary reviews
- Camera Obscura and Laughter in the Dark, or The Confusion of Texts, by Christine Raguet-Bouvard (translated by Jeff Edwards)
- Nabokov's Poetics of Vision, or, What Anna Karenina is Doing in Kamera obskura by Thomas Seifrid.
| The Works of Vladimir Nabokov |
|---|
| Novels : Mary • King, Queen, Knave • The Defense • The Eye • Glory • Laughter in the Dark • Despair • Invitation to a Beheading • The Gift • The Enchanter • The Real Life of Sebastian Knight • Bend Sinister • Lolita • Pnin • Pale Fire • Ada or Ardor: A Family Chronicle • Transparent Things • Look at the Harlequins! • The Original of Laura
Short Stories : The Wood-Sprite • Russian Spoken Here • Sounds • Wingstroke • Gods • A Matter of Chance • The Seaport • Revenge • Beneficence • Details of a Sunset • The Thunderstorm • La Veneziana • Bachmann • The Dragon • Christmas • A Letter That Never Reached Russia • The Fight • The Return of Chorb • A Guide to Berlin • A Nursery Tale • Terror • Razor • The Passenger • The Doorbell • An Affair of Honor • The Christmas Story • The Potato Elf • The Aurelian • A Dashing Fellow • A Bad Day • The Visit to the Museum • A Busy Man • Terra Incognita • The Reunion • Lips to Lips • Orache • Music • Perfection • The Admiralty Spire • The Leonardo • In Memory of L. I. Shigaev • The Circle • A Russian Beauty • Breaking the News • Torpid Smoke • Recruiting • A Slice of Life • Spring in Fialta • Cloud, Castle, Lake • Tyrants Destroyed • Lik • Vasiliy Shishkov • Ultima Thule • Solus Rex • Mademoiselle O • The Assistant Producer • "That in Aleppo Once..." • A Forgotten Poet • Time and Ebb • Conversation Piece, 1945 • Signs and Symbols • First Love • Scenes from the Life of a Double Monster • The Vane Sisters • Lance • Easter Rain Drama : Death • The Grandfather • The North Pole • The Tragedy of Mr. Morn • The Man from the USSR • The Event • The Waltz Invention Non-Fiction : Speak, Memory • Strong Opinions • Nikolai Gogol • Lectures on Literature • Lectures on Russian Literature • Lectures on Don Quixote • The Nabokov-Wilson letters • Selected Letters, 1940-1977 Miscellaneous : Poems and Problems • Lolita: A Screenplay • The Annotated Lolita • Carrousel |
