A summary of "King, Queen, Jack" by Vladimir Nabokov

The novel was created in 1928. It is the author’s second major work written in Russian. It is completely devoid of Russian characters and nostalgic motifs, and the action takes place entirely in a German setting. In 1972, a film of the same name was made based on the book. The film was directed by Jerzy Skolimowski.

Arrival in the capital

A young provincial, Franz, takes a train to the capital, hoping to find work with his wealthy uncle, Kurt Dreyer. In a third-class carriage, the young man is frightened by a deformed passenger without a nose and decides to pay extra for a ticket to move to second class. There, Franz finds himself in the same sun-drenched compartment with a smartly dressed couple — Kurt Dreyer and his wife, Martha. They are returning from a summer vacation. The young man is unaware of their relationship. He hides behind a fresh newspaper and secretly admires the beautiful woman.

One morning, Franz accidentally breaks his glasses in a hotel in the capital. Left nearly blind, he makes his way to his uncle’s luxurious suburban villa.

Martha meets him in the garden. She coldly appraises the timid guest, seeing him as a pliable specimen. Soon, Dreyer returns from the tennis court, recognizes his companion, and laughs loudly at the coincidence. Dreyer promises his nephew a position in his large men’s clothing store. Over a hearty dinner, Franz becomes very drunk on wine. Dreyer leaves his tipsy nephew to rest.

Franz’s New Life

Franz buys new horn-rimmed glasses and methodically sets out to find a cheap room to rent. Martha unexpectedly helps him negotiate a discount with the eccentric old owner. Soon, Franz begins working in the sports department of his uncle’s department store, and the days drag on monotonously among tennis rackets and balls. Dreyer forgets about his nephew due to business concerns, but suddenly calls the young man late one evening. Dreyer brings Franz to an empty, dark store. There, the merchant stages a theatrical lesson in the art of selling ties.

Franz soon visits his uncle’s wife on a rainy Sunday when Dreyer is away. Martha takes the initiative and seduces the inexperienced young man, which leads to a whirlwind secret affair. Martha becomes Franz’s complete mistress: she furnishes his shabby room to her taste, buys him an expensive tuxedo, and persistently teaches him to dance. The lovers spend their evenings in glittering cafes and dance halls. Franz is constantly afraid of being discovered. Dreyer often makes casual jokes at his expense, driving the nervous young man to the brink of panic.

The intent of the crime

Dreyer leads a busy business life and meets a mysterious inventor. He proposes a bold idea for mechanical mannequins with realistic, fluid movements, and the businessman becomes deeply fascinated by the new project. Meanwhile, Martha increasingly resents her cheerful, boisterous husband, who is interfering with her happiness. She categorically refuses to wait for Franz to become rich. She skillfully and methodically persuades her obedient lover to murder Dreyer.

The lovers coolly discuss foolproof methods for eliminating the businessman. First, they diligently study an encyclopedia in search of the perfect poison. This plan seems too complicated to Martha due to the inevitable medical examination. Then they examine firearms in detail. Martha concocts theatrical scenarios for a nighttime robbery of a villa or a forest attack. Franz obediently agrees to her ideas. They search for a real revolver in her husband’s study. Instead of a formidable weapon, the lovers find only a cigar lighter.

Marta decides to abandon complex schemes, as she needs the simplest and most reliable method. Soon, Dreyer suggests a summer vacation by the cool sea. Marta instantly comes up with a new plan. She knows for sure that her husband can’t swim. The lovers decide to drown Dreyer during a boat ride together. The idea strikes the calculating woman as brilliant in its frightening naturalness.

Vacation by the sea

The trio arrives at a popular seaside resort. The weather is overcast, with frequent cold rains. Martha gives the tense Franz detailed instructions. She will determine the precise moment for a sudden, simultaneous movement in the boat. The small vessel will capsize, and the heavy-handed Dreyer will immediately sink. On the eve of the planned murder, Martha catches a severe cold after swimming. She carefully conceals her growing illness to avoid disrupting her plan.

On the morning of the appointed day, the weather remains bleak and cold. Martha, Dreyer, and Franz set off for the boathouse. The businessman walks through the forest, while his wife and nephew row to the meeting place. Dreyer climbs into the boat, Franz monotonously works the heavy oars. They row far from shore. A heavy downpour begins. Martha mentally prepares to give the fateful signal.

At that very moment, Dreyer casually mentions a lucrative business meeting. He announces that tomorrow he will sell the patent for the mannequins to a wealthy American businessman.

A successful sale will bring in one hundred thousand. Marta immediately halts her plan. She decides to wait a few days to legally take possession of this enormous sum as a widow. The boat returns safely to the wet shore.

Tragic ending

Martha’s cold quickly develops into severe pneumonia. She develops a high fever. Dreyer leaves for the capital for a business meeting with an American. In the city, the businessman suddenly experiences deep disappointment. The mechanical figures now seem dull and lifeless to him. Dreyer loses interest in the deal and, out of mischief, secretly takes the American’s gold cigarette case. The patent sale falls through.

Dreyer hastily returns to the resort. The visiting doctor reports that Martha’s condition is hopeless. In a dimly lit room, the patient thrashes feverishly in a delirium. She dreams of the successful execution of the thwarted assassination. In her feverish visions, Dreyer drowns, and she and Franz regain their freedom and long-awaited wealth. A happy smile appears on the dying woman’s face.

Franz is in a state of profound shock. He is terrified of Martha’s return to life and simultaneously terrified of her death. Upon learning of the accidental theft of his cigarette case, Franz offers to take it back to the capital with his uncle. Franz cowardly uses this pretext to flee. He leaves the resort, leaving Dreyer, unaware of the truth, at his dying wife’s bedside. Franz wanders aimlessly through the capital, his mind completely clouded by fear and fatigue.