Invitation to a Beheading
Invitation to a Beheading is a novel by the acclaimed Russian-American writer Vladimir Nabokov, first published in 1935-36 as a serial in Sovremennye zapiski, a Russian émigré magazine. Set in a surreal, dystopian society, the narrative follows Cincinnatus C., a man sentenced to death for the vague crime of "gnostic turpitude." As he awaits execution in prison, Cincinnatus navigates a world of oppressive absurdity and encounters a cast of bizarre characters. The novel is an exploration of the individual's struggle against an indifferent society and the transcendence of the human spirit. It blends Kafkaesque themes with Nabokov's signature wit and intricate prose, making it a unique entry in the canon of dystopian literature. This is the first edition translated into English—translated by the author's son, Dmitri.
Hardcover. First Edition, First Printing. Octavo, cloth-backed boards. New York: Putnam, 1959. #10630.
Fine in very good+ dust jacket with a short closed tear and minimal loss at spine ends. A small, faint stain is present on the spine. Overall, an attractive copy.