Invitation to a Beheading

Vladimir Nabokov

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kafkaesque narrative

surreal prison setting

bizarre characters

absurdity of life

intricate prose style

imagination and freedom

condemned to death

dreamlike storytelling

slow pacing

complex protagonist

surrealism and absurdism genre

emotional distance

disjointed narrative

societal norms critique

'Invitation to a Beheading' by Vladimir Nabokov is a surreal and Kafkaesque tale that follows the protagonist Cincinnatus C, who is sentenced to death for a crime that remains unspecified. The story unfolds in a dreamlike manner, blurring the lines between reality and imagination as Cincinnatus navigates his last days in prison, encountering bizarre events and characters. Nabokov's prose is described as uniquely beautiful, delving into the psyche of a man condemned to death by beheading, and inviting the reader to explore the freedom of imagination and the absurdity of life.

Characters:

The characters are largely bizarre, with Cincinnatus as a complex yet emotionally distant protagonist, supporting characters adding to the absurdity of the narrative.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by beautiful, intricate prose, rich in surrealism and wordplay, though it can be disorienting for some readers.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot focuses on Cincinnatus C, a prisoner sentenced to death without clear reasons, navigating a surreal and absurd world while facing his impending execution.

Setting:

The setting is a surreal, undefined prison that reflects the absurdity of the narrative and the protagonist's internal conflicts.

Pacing:

The pacing is slow and can be disjointed, contributing to the surreal atmosphere but requiring attentive reading to follow the narrative.

In accordance with the law the death sentence was announced to Cincinnatus C. in a whisper. All rose, exchanging smiles. The hoary judge put his mouth close to his ear, panted for a moment, made the a...

Notes:

The book is set in an unknown or surreal world and tells the story of Cincinnatus C, a man sentenced to death for a crime termed 'gnostical turpitude' without a clear explanation.

Cincinnatus experiences bizarre interactions with jailers, including being asked to waltz and having his in-laws bring furniture to his cell during visits.

Many readers find the writing beautiful and filled with unique imagery, but also confusing, making it a challenging read.

The narrative has been likened to Kafka's work, especially in its absurdity and surrealism, although Nabokov claimed he had not read Kafka at the time of writing.

Cincinnatus's imprisonment is not just physical; it represents a struggle against societal norms and expectations, reflecting a theme of individuality versus conformity.

Some characters are described as clownish or farcical, adding to the surreal atmosphere of the prison setting.

Readers express a sense of frustration as Cincinnatus's crime remains vague throughout the novel, contributing to themes of uncertainty and absurdity.

Nabokov's prose has been praised for its cleverness and playfulness, evoking a mix of emotions from humor to sadness in the context of impending death.

Several commenters noted they had to look up unfamiliar words while reading, indicating Nabokov's use of complex and rich language.

The novel’s ending is often viewed as ambiguous, leaving readers to interpret what truly happens to Cincinnatus during his execution.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers include themes of execution, absurdity of bureaucratic systems, psychological distress, and existential dread.

From The Publisher:

Like Kafka's The Castle, Invitation to a Beheading embodies a vision of a bizarre and irrational world. In an unnamed dream country, the young man Cincinnatus C. is condemned to death by beheading for "gnostical turpitude," an imaginary crime that defies definition. Cincinnatus spends his last days in an absurd jail, where he is visited by chimerical jailers, an executioner who masquerades as a fellow prisoner, and by his in-laws, who lug their furniture with them into his cell. When Cincinnatus is led out to be executed, he simply wills his executioners out of existence: they disappear, along with the whole world they inhabit.

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About the Author:

Vladimir Nabokov studied French and Russian literature at Trinity College, Cambridge, then lived in Berlin and Paris, writing prolifically in Russian under the pseudonym Sirin. In 1940, he left France for America, where he wrote some of his greatest works-Bend Sinister (1947), Lolita (1955), Pnin (1957),…

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