This is one of the lesser-known Nabokov books but reflects many aspects of his writing. First of all, it has a compelling story about the suffering of a philosopher and his family and friends in a country run by a ruthless dictator. But - as usual in Nabokov - this is only the background story. Nabokov has populated the book with many literary references, a new interpretation of the story of Shakespeare's Hamlet, and a post-modern twist on the role of the author and the relation between the author and his creations.

It may be sometimes difficult to follow, especially the many literary references and transformations, however it is also an attractive challenge for the reader who is not content to read a book at surface level and would like to go below the surface to find out what gems might be lurking below.

Heartily recommended for the courageous reader...