50 pages • 1 hour read
Invitation to a Beheading
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
240
Novel • Fiction
European City • Indeterminate Era
1935
Vintage Books
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Invitation to a Beheading follows Cincinnatus C., who is imprisoned for the absurd crime of "gnostical turpitude." While awaiting execution in an unnamed country, he grapples with the surreal nature of his reality, his desire for knowledge, and the oppressive figures who control his fate. The narrative delves into themes of existentialism and the conflict between individualism and totalitarianism. This book contains depictions of imprisonment and execution.
Mysterious
Dark
Contemplative
Unnerving
Fantastical
Reviews & Readership
18,530 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Vladimir Nabokov’s Invitation to a Beheading is lauded for its intricate prose, surreal narrative, and potent themes of freedom and absurdity. Readers praise its imaginative style, though some find the plot disorienting and opaque. Overall, it is recognized as a challenging but rewarding read, showcasing Nabokov's literary prowess.
Who Should Read Invitation to a Beheading?
Readers who enjoy absurdist, philosophical novels with themes of alienation and satire would relish Invitation to a Beheading. Admirers of Franz Kafka's The Trial and Albert Camus's The Stranger will appreciate Nabokov's layered, metaphorical storytelling and exploration of existential despair.
18,530 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
M’sieur Pierre
M’sieur Pierre
Initially presented as a fellow prisoner, he becomes intertwined with Cincinnatus's fate, adding layers of complexity to the dynamics within the prison.
Rodrig Ivanovic
Rodrig Ivanovic
The flamboyant prison director who oversees Cincinnatus’s confinement, he takes pleasure in the absurdities of his role and is captivated by the execution process.
Marthe
Marthe
Cincinnatus’s wife, whose actions and attitudes toward marriage and societal norms present a contrast to her husband’s predicament and perceptions.
240
Novel • Fiction
European City • Indeterminate Era
1935
Vintage Books
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.