Vladimir Nabokov’s "Camera Obscura," a summary Automatic translate

This book is one of the writer’s early Russian novels, published in 1933. Several years later, the author himself translated the text into English, thoroughly reworking the original plot. In the translation, he changed the names of the main characters and shifted the emphasis in their characters, giving the work a new title: "Laughter in the Darkness."

The novel was adapted for the screen in 1969. Director Tony Richardson made the film Laughter in the Dark, based on the English version of the text.

A quiet life and sudden passion

The plot revolves around Berlin art historian Bruno Kretschmar, who leads a tranquil and prosperous life. He is married to the quiet Anneliese, and the couple is raising an eight-year-old daughter, Irma. Kretschmar’s family life is quiet and serene, despite his previous romantic failures during his student years. Anneliese’s brother, the good-natured Max, often visits. Life flows smoothly, but within Bruno, a secret desire for the young woman grows.

A chance visit to a small cinema changes Bruno’s destiny. In the darkness of the auditorium, he spots a young usherette named Magda Peters. The girl is sixteen years old. She grew up the daughter of a rude doorman, left home early, and went to live with a procuress, earning money as a model. She recently had a passionate affair with a certain Müller. The man suddenly disappeared, leaving her with only memories.

Kretschmar begins pursuing Magda. She maintains a cool demeanor, but quickly realizes the advantage of her situation. A wealthy admirer can pay for her accommodations and help her break into film. Bruno rents an apartment for her. They become lovers.

Family breakdown

Kretschmar tries to hide his double life. Magda deliberately forces the issue. She sends a letter to her lover’s home address. Anneliese reads the message, and their familiar world collapses. Bruno leaves his family. He moves in with Magda, losing his mind to sensual pleasure and submitting to the whims of his young partner.

Magda dreams of becoming an actress. Bruno finances the film and secures her participation. He invites American cartoonist Robert Horn to a dinner party celebrating the filming. The artist became famous for his series of drawings about the guinea pig Chipi.

Horn turns out to be the very same Müller, Magda’s first love. The young people immediately resume their secret affair right before the eyes of the trusting master of the house. Horn cynically mocks the art historian. Magda enthusiastically participates in the deception.

Irma’s death and the trip south

Anneliese is having a hard time dealing with the breakup. Little Irma falls ill with the flu, which quickly develops complications. Max rushes to Bruno, hoping to call him to the bedside of his dying child. Magda throws a tantrum, delaying Kretschmar. Bruno arrives too late — Irma is dead. Having distanced himself from his grieving wife, he returns to his mistress.

Magda’s film is released, but she looks awkward and untalented on camera. The audience laughs. Magda causes a wild scene at home. Trying to console his lover, Bruno buys a car and takes her to the south of France.

Horn begs to be their chauffeur. A strange road trip begins. Horn drives superbly, and at nights in hotels he shares a bed with Magda. Bruno sleeps in the next room.

An unexpected insight

In the French town of Rouginard, Kretschmar accidentally encounters his old friend, the writer Dietrich von Segelcrantz. The writer invites Bruno on a walk in the mountains and reads him an excerpt from his new novel.

The text describes a pair of lovers with photographic precision. The writer recently spied on them in a train carriage and transferred their images to paper. Based on their appearance, intonations, and overheard conversations, Bruno immediately recognizes Horn and Magda.

The art historian returns to the hotel, takes out his Browning, and waits for Magda. She lies skillfully. She convinces Bruno that Horn is indifferent to women and their flirtation was just a joke. Bruno agrees to put the weapon away but demands that they leave the city immediately.

He takes the wheel himself, despite not understanding the mechanics and driving very poorly. On a mountain road, Bruno loses control of the car. It crashes into a telegraph pole at high speed.

Blindness and the Swiss Chalet

As a result of the accident, Magda suffers only bruises. Kretschmar suffers a severe head injury. He survives, but becomes completely blind. Doctors recommend peace and quiet.

Magda and Horn transport the blind man to a secluded Swiss chalet. A cruel psychological game begins. Horn secretly lives in the same house, and the cook is strictly forbidden to mention his presence. The art critic sees nothing, while the lovers enjoy each other just steps away.

Horn wanders naked through the rooms, making faces, tickling the blind man with a blade of grass. Bruno suffers from the darkness. From absolute, pitch-black darkness. He tries to live by his ears. Sometimes he hears strange sounds — coughing, creaking floorboards, breathing — and begins to suspect someone else’s presence. Magda writes it off as auditory illusions.

One night, Bruno decides to climb up the ledge to Magda’s room. He falls and gets bruised, but manages to reach her bedroom. She’s forced to accept him, fearing he’ll ruin the illusion of her solitude.

Saving Bruno

Segelcrantz, tormented by his conscience over the passage he read, arrives in Berlin. He tells Max about Magda’s betrayal and the terrible car accident. Max immediately leaves for Switzerland.

Entering the chalet’s living room, Max encounters a disgusting scene. Blind Bruno sits in a chair, and a naked Horn mocks him, touching his face with a blade of grass. Max beats the cartoonist with his cane.

Hearing his brother-in-law’s familiar voice, Bruno realizes the scale of the deception. Max takes the broken art historian back to Berlin. Anneliese takes her husband in, settling him in his former childhood bedroom.

The last meeting

Bruno lives in his wife’s house, surrounded by silence. He hides a Browning pistol, brought from Switzerland, in his trouser pocket. He is driven by only one desire: to punish Magda for her humiliation and lies.

One morning, he’s alone. The phone rings: the doorman announces that Fraulein Peters has arrived at his old apartment to pick up his things. Bruno sneaks out into the street. He gropes for a taxi and drives to a familiar address.

Bruno takes the elevator up, opens the door with his key, and hears Magda’s voice. The blind man pulls out a pistol, locks the door behind him, and slowly corners the girl. He follows the rustle of her dress and the scent of perfume.

Bruno fires at the sound but misses. Magda lunges at him, and a struggle ensues. She grabs the gun and fires. Bruno collapses to the floor and dies. Magda flees, leaving the door open. A discarded glove lies on the floor, and a suitcase is discarded nearby.