Despair

Despair by Vladimir Nabokov, published by Penguin Books in 1981, is a literary work that delves into the life of Hermann, a German chocolate manufacturer. Set against a backdrop of bourgeois comfort, the narrative unfolds as Hermann navigates his mundane existence alongside his unremarkable Russian wife and her inebriated cousin. During a business trip to Prague, he encounters a man he perceives to be his double, prompting him to devise a scheme to exploit this uncanny resemblance.

Readers will find a complex exploration of identity and self-perception as Hermann’s plot develops. The story intricately weaves themes of duplicity and existential reflection, inviting contemplation on the nature of reality and illusion. This edition spans 176 pages and is presented in English, offering a concise yet profound glimpse into Nabokov’s literary style and thematic concerns.