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Presented as a poem with a foreward and commentary, Vladimir Nabokov’s novel Pale Fire is a postmodern masterpiece about a poet, a regal commentator and a would-be assassin. It defies all convention.

Set in 1959 and reimagined here as an audio documentary, it's the story of Charles Kinbote as he tries to prove his machinations have inspired a poetic masterpiece.

Have they? And who truly is Charles?

A delusional academic, an exiled king or both?

Dramatised by Oliver Emanuel

Charles … Grant O’Rourke
John … Michael Nardone
Gradus…Finn den Hertog
Odon…Robin Laing
Gordon…Thierry Mabonga
Sybil…Renee Williams

Sound by Kris McConnachie, Joanne Willott, Niall Young

Director: Kirsty Williams

First broadcast on Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ Radio 4 in January 2022.