The Original of Laura

The narrative centers on Dr. Philip Wild, a brilliant yet humiliated man grappling with the infidelities of his wife, Flora, who is portrayed as My Laura in a novel by one of her lovers. This unfinished work reveals Wild's complex emotions as he navigates dishonor and self-destruction, starting with the removal of his toes. The book showcases Nabokov's unique prose style and explores themes of love, betrayal, and the struggle for identity. The author, a celebrated émigré writer, is known for his masterful storytelling.