50 pages • 1 hour read
Vladimir NabokovInvitation to a Beheading
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1935A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Invitation to a Beheading follows Cincinnatus C., who is imprisoned for the absurd crime of "gnostical turpitude." While awaiting execution in an unnamed country, he grapples with the surreal nature of his reality, his desire for knowledge, and the oppressive figures who control his fate. The narrative delves into themes of existentialism and the conflict between individualism and totalitarianism. This book contains depictions of imprisonment and execution.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Vladimir Nabokov’s Invitation to a Beheading is lauded for its intricate prose, surreal narrative, and potent themes of freedom and absurdity. Readers praise its imaginative style, though some find the plot disorienting and opaque. Overall, it is recognized as a challenging but rewarding read, showcasing Nabokov's literary prowess.
Who Should Read Invitation to a Beheading?
Readers who enjoy absurdist, philosophical novels with themes of alienation and satire would relish Invitation to a Beheading. Admirers of Franz Kafka's The Trial and Albert Camus's The Stranger will appreciate Nabokov's layered, metaphorical storytelling and exploration of existential despair.