Where to start with this book?  I suppose, technically, you can call it a dystopian novel where a nameless country has been overrun by a madman, not unlike Stalin, Hitler, Tito…take your pick.

I feel like the setting here is more to play host to the story of Krug and his 8-year old son David.  Nabokov confesses as much in the introduction in saying, “automatic comparisons between Bend Sinister and Kafka’s creations and Orwell’s cliches would go merely to prove that the automaton could not have read either the great German writer or the mediocre English one.”

This is a story about family and a torturous one at that.  It is not an easy book.  Nabokov can be wordy and celebratory of himself.  He talks at length in his introduction about all the little tricks he’s played in the narrative - whispers of themes and obscure blends of forgotten languages throughout, or how he, God-like, gives relief and solace to the characters in hard moments.

Never mind.

Yes, it is a tough read emotionally - was for me anyway, but it is a very good read.  I put down A Fine Balance a number of years ago feeling much the same way - affected.  I’ve been thinking about this story for days now.  I couldn’t figure out if I was angry at the author for exposing me so badly to my own emotions.  In both cases your emotions are in the hands of masters and Nabokov skillfully turns the knife here.