Invitation to a Beheading... by Vladimir Nobokov

This book is one of my favourites by Nobokov, and one I can sit and analyze over and over again. The firt time I read it was a few years ago on the plane to Oakland. Iread the whole thing...twice.

The main story is based around a convict sentenced to death. The only problem is that his jailors never tell him when he's to be executed. Instead they drag it on. He's given books, a friend to visit with, but he's never told when he's going to die; only that it could be that day or it could be years from then. In the end...he's set free. You see, the real punishment is always the anxiety over knowing something is going to happen. The event itself pales in comparison to waiting, to what we psyche ourselves into. It's the feelings of dread, the stress of wondering if each morning will be your last, and being forced to live everyday as if everything were normal. Everyone does this. I do, I know. It's human nature. Nothing's ever as bad as we imagine. Nothings ever as bad as constantly wondering how bad it will be or when.

The lesson....enjoy life. Live as if it may be today, but don't let it torture you.

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