Vladimir Nabokov’s shortest novel. Set amongst the Russian émigré comunity in 1920s Berlin, it focuses on the enigmatic Russian Smurov. The action commences after the attempted (perhaps successful) suicide of the narrator. After this (potentially imaginary) death, his "eye" observes a group of Russian émigrés as he tries to ascertain their opinions of the mysterious character Smurov.

Largely about ‘identity’ – our own perceptions of self and the social construction of our identity both for and by others – Smurov exists as a hero, fraud, nobleman, crook, "sexual adventurer" and spy in the eyes of himself and others. The central narrator gathers these observations in the attempt to construct a coherent portrait of Smurov.

While the ‘twist’ alluded to in the author’s preface is not particularly surprising, this does not stop the novel from being enjoyable. The young Nabokov keeps the literary affectation to a minimum, and as such we’re left with essentially a metaphysical Russian detective novel.

The central point? We like to think of ourselves as a knowable collection of things, experiences and traits; but, really, we’re limitless, there is no single snapshot that will wholly capture anyone. Indeed, we are all fragmentary refractions of others’ glimpses of us, inherently unknowable, whose memory is reduced to the stories and opinions of our observers.

It’s a good ‘un, and you’ll zip through it in no time. Highly recommended!