Laughter in the Dark

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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.

[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) - a 16-year-old aspiring actress
• Axel Rex (Robert Gorn, probably Robert Horn) - A painter from New York and Margot's first lover

Some minor characters include (from the English version):

• Elisabeth Albinus - Albert Albinus' wife
• Paul Hochenwart - Elisabeth's brother
• Otto Peters - Margot's brother
• Frieda - The Albinus' housekeeper
• Irma Albinus - Elisabeth and Albert's daughter
• Kaspar - A friend of Otto's
• Udo Conrad - An author and acquaintance of Albert's

[edit] Plot

Albinus is a respected art critic, who lives in Berlin. He lusts after the 16-year old Margot whom he meets at a cinema, where she works, and seduces her over the course of many encounters. His prolonged affair with Margot is eventually revealed to Elisabeth when Margot sends a letter to the Albinus residence and Albert is unable to intercept it before it is discovered. This results in the dissolution of the Albinus' marriage. Margot 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. After Margot becomes upset upon viewing the film, Albinus coaxes her into taking a holiday to the south. They rent a hotel room and, after a chance encounter with an old friend, Albinus happens to surmise that Margot and Rex are engaged in an affair. Albinus steals away with Margot and leaves Rex at the hotel. On their journey out of town, Albinus, a self-proclaimed poor driver, crashes the car and, as a result, becomes blind. Rex and Margot take advantage of his handicap and rent a chalet in Switzerland where Rex poses as Albinus' doctor, although Albinus is unaware of Rex's presence. Albinus becomes increasingly suspicious as his ears become more attuned and he perceives Rex's presence, but his fears are never confirmed. Paul, after suspecting forgery (Rex and Margot have been bleeding Albinus' accounts dry by feigning his hand on checks), drives to the residence and discovers Rex toying with Albinus in his blinded state. Paul escorts Albinus back to Elisabeth's home. After a short time Albinus receives a call that Fraulein Peters has returned to his flat to collect some things, and Albinus decides to kill her. He makes his way to the apartment and traps her inside by barricading the door, intending to shoot her with his pistol. He seeks her out by her scent and faint sounds but, when he tries to shoot her she overtakes him, grabs the pistol, and kills him.

[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.

[edit] External links

• Laughter in the Dark at the imdb

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