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Despair Audiobook
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(3.46) - 26 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Extensively revised by Nabokov in 1965 — thirty years after its original publication — Despair is the wickedly inventive and richly derisive story of Hermann, a man who undertakes the perfect crime: his own murder.
“A beautiful mystery plot, not to be revealed.” - Newsweek
One of the twentieth century’s master prose stylists, Vladimir Nabokov was born in St. Petersburg in 1899. He studied French and Russian literature at Trinity College, Cambridge, then lived in Berlin and Paris, where he launched a brilliant literary career. In 1940 he moved to the United States, and achieved renown as a novelist, poet, critic, and translator. He taught literature at Wellesley, Stanford, Cornell, and Harvard. In 1961 he moved to Montreux, Switzerland, where he died in 1977.
“Nabokov writes prose the only way it should be written, that is, ecstatically.” — John Updike
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"This book is an interesting read for deft and artful prose writing. Nabokov is master of the unreliable main character/narrator you love to hate and hate to love. Sophisticated and not something you'd want to take to the beach. "
— Daneen (4 out of 5 stars)
Despair Listener Reviews
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" horoshiy stilist, no etogo ne dostatochno "
— Taniapyjov, 3/25/2011 -
" A gem of a phrase: "like a duck fart in a hurricane." <br/> <br/> "
— Grace, 2/13/2011 -
" nabokov is interesting theoretically, but his stories aren't so great. "
— Hunter, 2/12/2011 -
" Another journey into the mind of the criminally insane. This is the book that solidified in my mind that Nabokov was more than just a one hit wonder, he really does have a way with words and an insight into minds of crazies. "
— Monica, 2/6/2011 -
" Dedicated to Bunin. <br/>Yours, Vladimir. "
— Alexey, 12/29/2010 -
" If you are already a fan of Nabokov this is a curious and entertaining read. If you haven't read much of him in the past I would not suggest starting here. "
— E., 12/19/2010 -
" 3.5 stars. What I think is most interesting about this novel is that it is a revision of a novel by the same name that Nabokov published in 1934. It made me wonder if, and when, a work of art is ever finished in the eyes of the artist. "
— Aaron, 11/3/2010 -
" Harder to get into than other nabokov, enjoyed the end. "
— Anthea, 9/17/2010 -
" The artist/audience relationship as tricky Nabakovian variation on <em>Crime and Punishment</em>. Sharp and acerbic. "
— Nate, 5/7/2010 -
" Difficult read, but worth it. The title kind of says it all. "
— Heather, 3/30/2010 -
" An awesome piece of work, though-provoking and experimental. Definitely unlike any other short novel I've ever read in style and structure; definitely an exhaustive and fascinating little world. "
— Ryan, 3/2/2010 -
" Not his best, but still miles ahead of most authors. Funny, evocative and with a classic air of Nabokov pretension. "
— James, 2/8/2010
About Vladimir Nabokov
Vladimir Vladimirovich Nabokov (1889–1977) was one of the most prolific writers and literary critics of the twentieth century. Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, he grew up in a trilingual household and later studied Slavic and romance languages at Trinity College, Cambridge, taking his honors degree in 1922. For the next eighteen years he lived in Berlin and Paris, writing prolifically in Russian under the pseudonym “Sirin” and supporting himself through translations, lessons in English and tennis, and by composing the first crossword puzzles in Russian. Having already fled Russia and Germany, Nabokov became a refugee once more in 1940 when he was forced to leave France for the United States. There he taught at Wellesley, Harvard, and Cornell. He died in Montreux, Switzerland.
About Christopher Lane
Christopher Lane is an award-winning actor, director, and narrator. He has been awarded the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration several times and has won numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards.