Despair

Despair is Vladimir Nabokov's seventh novel, first published in Russian in 1934 and later translated to English by the author himself. The story follows Hermann Karlovich, a Russian chocolate factory owner of German descent, who becomes fixated on a homeless man he encounters in Prague. Hermann believes this vagrant, Felix, to be his exact double - though Felix himself does not acknowledge any resemblance. Hermann develops an elaborate scheme involving their supposed likeness, while maintaining a peculiar relationship with his wife Lydia and her cousin Ardalion, whose true connection to Lydia he seems unable or unwilling to recognize. The narrative takes shape as Hermann's personal account, written while hiding in a French hotel as his plan unravels. His version of events becomes increasingly unreliable as the story progresses. The novel explores themes of identity, self-deception, and the gap between perception and reality. Through Hermann's distorted viewpoint, Nabokov constructs a study of psychological deterioration and the dangers of obsessive self-reflection.

Readers note the dark humor and psychological complexity of Despair, though many find it less engaging than Nabokov's other works. The unreliable narrator and intricate wordplay create a puzzle-like reading experience that rewards close attention. Readers appreciate: - The clever mirroring between form and content - Sharp observations about identity and self-delusion - Technical brilliance of the prose translation - Dark comedy elements Common criticisms: - Plot moves slowly in middle sections - Main character becomes tiresome - Less emotional depth than Lolita or Pale Fire - Translation feels stiff in places Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (5,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (80+ ratings) "Like watching a slow-motion train wreck in gorgeous prose" - Goodreads reviewer "Brilliant but exhausting" - Amazon reviewer "The wordplay dazzles but the story itself left me cold" - LibraryThing review

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🔹 The novel was first written in Russian under the title "Отчаяние" (Otchayanie) and later translated to English by the author himself in 1937, making it one of several works Nabokov personally translated. 🔹 The theme of doubles and doppelgängers in "Despair" was influenced by Fyodor Dostoevsky's "The Double" (1846), though Nabokov famously disliked Dostoevsky's work and offered this as a deliberate counterpoint. 🔹 The book was adapted into a 1978 film directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder, starring Dirk Bogarde, though Nabokov's estate expressed dissatisfaction with the adaptation. 🔹 Nabokov wrote this novel while living in Berlin during the rise of Nazi Germany, and subtle political undertones about identity and nationalism are woven throughout the text. 🔹 The protagonist's chocolate factory occupation was partly inspired by Nabokov's own experience working briefly in a Berlin chocolate factory during his exile from Russia.