BOOK BRIEF

Despair

Vladimir Nabokov
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Despair

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1989

Book Brief

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Vladimir Nabokov

Despair

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1989
Book Details
Pages

212

Format

Novel • Fiction

Genre
Classic Fiction

Mystery & Crime Fiction

Russian Literature
Setting

Germany • 1930s

Topic
World History
Publication Year

1989

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

In Despair by Vladimir Nabokov, a person named Hermann Karlovich encounters an individual who closely resembles him. This uncanny resemblance prompts Karlovich to devise and execute an elaborate plan, leading him through a course of unexpected actions, casting light on themes of identity and deception in early 20th-century Europe.

Dark

Unnerving

Mysterious

Contemplative

Melancholic

Reviews & Readership

4.1

11,236 ratings

71%

Loved it

23%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Despair by Vladimir Nabokov is lauded for its linguistic dexterity and dark humor, offering a compelling narrative that challenges moral certainty. However, some readers find its intricate prose and unreliable narrator disorienting. Nabokov's exploration of identity and insanity captivates, although its complexity may deter less tenacious readers.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Despair?

A reader who revels in dark humor, psychological complexity, and unreliable narration will appreciate Nabokov's Despair. Similar to Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment and Camus's The Stranger, this novel appeals to those intrigued by existential themes and intricately flawed characters.

4.1

11,236 ratings

71%

Loved it

23%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

212

Format

Novel • Fiction

Genre
Classic Fiction

Mystery & Crime Fiction

Russian Literature
Setting

Germany • 1930s

Topic
World History
Publication Year

1989

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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