Laughter in the Dark - Magic for Idiots

[@joejs7659]

Through my reading of this book i couldn’t be helped not to think back to a interview with George Bataille. Wherein he had a tit for tat on the subject of his latest piece of writing - a book called literature and evil - which i have yet to read. In the aforementioned interview he spoke about how the writer is an evil scoundrel, who through charming prose builds up sympathy and compassion for the main character. After having laid the final brick in the chamber of compassion he stuffs this character down the meatgrinder and hereafter turns the lever, maybe while emitting a witch like laughter. Then finally he throws his meat product upon the frying pan and, quite hardly, flips it thoroughly. While the reader looks on with building appetite or disgust, depending on the person. One must say this is exactly the treatment good old Albert was put through in this novel. Enjoyed it... tremendously!

[@Scottmbradfield]

Yeah they really take that guy apart! Serves him right for being a movie critic! Say safe with Bataille, Joe. Scott

[@dzulcia16]

Good morning Scott. I really enjoy watching your videos, thank You for beeing here and educating us about literature, that's impressive

[@Scottmbradfield]

Thanks for being impressed, Papry! And keep safe in the bathtub! s

[@trewens]

Great analysis of Laughter in the Dark, Scott. I read this on your recommendation and you're right, it's an absolutely fantastic novel.

[@Scottmbradfield]

Thanks, Tom. Glad you liked that one. It may be the one I most enjoy every time I read it.

[@trewens]

@@Scottmbradfield I'd recommend Laughter in the Dark to someone who's new to Nabokov because it's a more accessible and conventional than Lolita, or Pale Fire or The Gift, etc..

[@trewens]

What is your view on The Gift, btw? It's my favourite I think. But it might be a bit too long for the bathtub.

[@Scottmbradfield]

@@trewens I know many people who love The Gift, but I found it slow going. It was probably me. I'll try it again.

[@trewens]

@@Scottmbradfield man, it's absolutely sensational. I could write a thesis on why I like The Gift. I don't know what else to say.

[@anep.9887]

This is on my reading list. Thanks for your insights.

[@Scottmbradfield]

Thanks, Anelise. You should enjoy this one. s

[@rickartdefoix1298]

Laughter in the Dark is a wildly funny and clever book, one of the best I've ever read. If you love dark humour, as me, you'll enjoy with this Literature jewel which think counts among the best Nabokov, also. 💎🆗❤️👍🤗🙏

[@Scottmbradfield]

I agree, one of my all time favorite reads... stay safe. s

[@manuellecastro2736]

Thats an Amazing video. I love nabokov's work, I would have loved to be your student, never met anyone who actually knew his job so well, fantastic.

[@Scottmbradfield]

Thanks, Manuelle. Go enjoy more books! You don't need teachers to do that.

[@pipersara]

Great analysis, very helpful to understanding Nabokov's writing...I found the audio on the video fairly low though.

[@Scottmbradfield]

Thanks. Yeah, those old videos are even more poorly produced than the newer ones. Thanks for listening-hard! S

[@rooruffneck]

great work.

[@slimdot7031]

Prof. Bradfield, do you ever talk about his short stories such as Symbols & Signs, The Potato Elf or Christmas? Thanks

[@Scottmbradfield]

Some day if I live long enough! My bathtub is pretty crowded at the moment...

[@anep.9887]

Symbols & Signs is SO good!

[@thattimestampguy]

3:27 Creating Literature is like performing a Magic 🪄 Trick. 6:03 The First Time Albinus meets Elizabeth. 8:59 Paul’s moment. 11:00 Participating in a story.

[@jboyd9062]

Just read and enjoyed laughter in the dark after a few failed attempts on some of nabakov's other novels. It was redolent of some of Graham Greene's "entertainments" which i also enjoyed recently.May be wrong here but i think Joseph Losey was due to direct laughter in the dark at some point in the late 60s but unfortunately that project fell through, though I'm sure he would have made an interesting version of it. Enjoyed your review, thanks.

[@Scottmbradfield]

Thanks, J Boyd. I didn't know that about Losey but he would have been a good choice.. Though LAUGHTER is one of those books I love so much I'd probably avoid any film version anyway... Stay safe. s