I just finished reading "Invitation to a Beheading" by Vladimir Nabokov, of "Lolita" fame. The book was originally written in Russian but was later translated into English by author's son, I believe, Dimitri Nabokov.
The hero of the story Cincinnatus C. has been charged with an imaginary crime in an imaginary country; but reading between the lines one could guess it to be in Russia. He is to be executed but does not know when. He keeps asking his jailer, lawyer and the director, but no one seems to give him the straight answer. He wants to narrate the absurdity of entire experience to his wife, but cannot start the project without knowing if he has enough time to complete it.
By the way all three personnels' names start with an "R". The names sound similar, too. Another interesting observation was that Cincinnatus hardly participates in any of the conversation that takes place in the book. One infers about his character through what other people talk about him among themselves.
During his confinement he is visited by his wife Marthe and her family. The entire visit; the talk, or the absence of talk by his wife, their behaviour including the fact that they brought furniture with them was quite unreal. Finally, his execution itself turns out to be just as surreal as the story itself.
It reminded me of the book I read by Franz Kafka, "the Trial". The similarity of the plots is that the heroes of both books were charged with an imaginary crime and nobody was willing to help them.
But I liked the book. It held my interest. It held my interest because the writing style is exquisite.
Rightly or wrongly I judge movies and books by how well they hold my interest.
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