Reviews

Laughter in the Dark by Vladimir Nabokov

robfarren's review against another edition

1.0

Like a dry for Lolita. Not really worth reading.

stephaniexpink's review against another edition

5.0

witty writing and wordplay. so much better than what I was originally expecting. really enjoyable read.

howkatiekaties's review against another edition

dark funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

kaka66's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

lesleykwrites's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

3.75

wkubica's review against another edition

5.0

i taką literaturę promujmy w social mediach

mangob's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

khadeejah_'s review against another edition

dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

museofmages's review against another edition

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

casparb's review against another edition

3.0

A solid piece of early Nabokov - one of the Russian novels, but translated by the author so perhaps there's some flexibility there. One of his finer titles, in my opinion: eerie, yet brushing at sensual immediacy. This is enriched further by the last third or so of the novel.

We see here Nabokov poking at some of the themes he'd explore with a great deal more artistic deftness twenty years later, in Lolita. I didn't mind that these ideas weren't really pulled to fruition, as Nabokov twists and turns the novels into quite different areas of overlapping cuckoldries and other inhibitions.

Recommend for the Nabokovians - it's certainly a strong showing from him. Amusingly (darkly) autobiographical at times, but entertaining all the while.