Laughter in the Dark Book

Камера обскура [Camera Obskura] = Laughter in the Dark, Vladimir Nabokov

Laughter in the Dark (Original Russian title: Камера обскура, Camera obscura) is a novel written by Vladimir Nabokov and serialised in Sovremennye Zapiski in 1932.

The book deals with the affection of a middle-aged man for a very young woman, resulting in a mutually parasitic relationship. In 1955, Nabokov used this theme again with Lolita to a much differently developed effect.

Albinus is a respected, reasonably happy married art critic who lives in Berlin. He lusts after the 17-year-old Margot whom he meets at a cinema, where she works, and seduces her over the course of many encounters.

His prolonged affair with Margot is eventually revealed to Albinus's wife Elisabeth when Margot deliberately sends a letter to the Albinuses' residence and Albert is unable to intercept it before it is discovered. This results in the dissolution of the Albinuses' marriage.

Rather than disown the young troublemaker, he is even more attracted to her. Margot uses him to become a film star, fulfilling her ambition in life. Albinus introduces Margot to Axel Rex, but he does not know that the two have previously been lovers.

Margot and Rex resume their relationship, and start plotting to get Albinus out of the way and rob him of his money. Rex sees the opportunities that Albinus's infatuation with Margot produces, and understands that even a great risk means little to the blind and helpless, in love, in loss, and in dwindling fortune.

Albinus gets Margot her first role as an actress, but she does not appear to be very talented. In fact, what she possesses in beauty is best captured by the imagination rather than even a still camera. Only Albinus's wealth ensures that she gets to play her role.

Margot realizes that she has played the role poorly and Albinus worries about her reaction. Rex, however, adores seeing the girl from the streets suffer and takes the opportunity to exploit her ineptitude.

After Margot becomes upset when viewing the film, Albinus coaxes her into taking a holiday to the south. They rent a hotel room and, after a chance encounter with an old friend, Albinus happens to surmise that Margot and Rex are engaged in an affair. He has always been envious of Rex in the belief that he is the truest of artists, unlike him. He has stolen beautiful young things from Albinus his whole life, and this is no different.

Albinus steals away with Margot and leaves Rex at the hotel. On their journey out of town, Albinus, a self-proclaimed poor driver, crashes the car and is blinded, leaving him in need of care and oblivious to the world around him. Rex and Margot take advantage of his handicap, and rent a chalet in Switzerland where Rex poses as Albinus's doctor, although Albinus is unaware of Rex's presence.

Unknown to Albinus, he is mocked and tortured during his recovery. He becomes increasingly suspicious as his ears become more attuned and he perceives someone's presence, but his fears are never confirmed. Paul, a friend to the family, suspects forgery (Rex and Margot have been bleeding Albinus's accounts dry by forging his signature on cheques), drives to the residence and discovers Rex toying with Albinus in his blinded state.

Paul then escorts Albinus back to the home of his ex-wife Elisabeth. After a short time, Albinus receives a call informing him that Fraulein Peters (Margot) has returned to his flat to collect some things. Knowing that she is coming, he decides to kill her. Without haste, he makes his way to the flat and traps her inside by barricading the door, intending to shoot her with his pistol. He seeks her out by her scent and faint sounds, but when he tries to shoot her she overpowers him, grabs the pistol, and ...

تاریخ نخستین خوانش: ماه آوریل سال 2005میلادی

عنوان: خنده در تاریکی؛ نویسنده: ولادیمیر ناباکف (ناباکوف)؛ مترجم: محمداسماعیل فلزی؛ تهران، هیرمند، 1382در 296ص؛ شابک 9644080009؛ موضوع: داستانهای نویسندگان روسیه - سده 20م

مترجم امیر نیک فرجام، ، تهران، مروارید، 1383، در 247ص؛ شابک ایکس - 964588179؛ چاپ چهارم 1385؛


کتاب «خنده در تاریکی»؛ روایت ولخرجی با محبت یک مرد میانسال، برای یک زن بسیار جوان، و زیباروی است؛ «ناباکوف» این رمان را در سال 1932میلادی نوشتند؛ در طی هفت دهه پس از نگارش همین رمان، نقدهای بسیاری در مورد آن نوشته شده، و فیلمی هم بر اساس همین داستان ساخته شده است؛ «خنده در تاریکی»، از آن دست داستانهایی ست، که بسیار شنیده، و خوانده، و شاهدش بوده ایم؛ «ناباکوف» خود به طنز، به همین نکته اشاره میکنند، که کل داستان را میتوان در چند خط شرح داد، به جایی هم برنمیخورد: روزی روزگاری، در شهر «برلین آلمان»، مردی زندگی میکرد؛ به نام «آلبینوس»؛ او متمول و محترم، و خوشبخت بود، یکروز همسرش را به خاطر دختری جوان، ترک کرد، عشق ورزید، مورد بیمهری قرار گرفت، و زندگی اش در بدبختی، و فلاکت به پایان رسید. (ص یک)؛

داستان به شیوه ی دانای کل روایت میشود، که نمایانگر طنز سیاه «ناباکوف» است؛ «ناباکوف» در توصیف شخصیتها، لحنی طعنه آمیز دارند، و در جای جای داستان، که خود به عنوان راوی، حضوری در پرانتز دارند؛ اغلب نکته هایی را با لحنی کنایه آمیز، به نقالی خود میافزایند، تا بدبینی ایشان را، پررنگتر نشان دهد؛ «ناباکوف» با نثری ساده، و روان، و سرراست، و به دور از پیچیدگیهای فرمی، و روایی، و با لحنی بدبینانه، یا شاید هم واقع بینانه، تلاش میکنند، تا واقعیتهای تلخی را به ثبت برسانند

تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 25/09/1399هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی