'Lolita' by Vladimir Nabokov is a controversial and haunting novel that delves into the twisted mind of Humbert Humbert, a pedophile narrating his obsession with a young girl named Lolita. The book is praised for its exquisite language, vivid descriptions, and the way it explores themes of obsession, desire, and the complexities of the human psyche. Despite the uncomfortable subject matter, readers find themselves captivated by the beautiful prose and the dark, multi-layered characters that Nabokov masterfully creates.
The narrative of 'Lolita' is told through the unreliable perspective of Humbert Humbert, who justifies his reprehensible actions while painting a heartbreaking portrait of Lolita, a character who embodies both innocence and corruption. The book skillfully weaves together elements of humor, horror, and tragedy, leaving readers unsettled and conflicted as they navigate through the intricate layers of the story and the characters' motivations.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Triggers include sexual abuse, manipulation, pedophilia, mental illness, and graphic discussions of manipulation and coercion.
From The Publisher:
Awe and exhiliration-along with heartbreak and mordant wit-abound in Lolita, Nabokov's most famous and controversial novel, which tells the story of the aging Humbert Humbert's obsessive, devouring, and doomed passion for the nymphet Dolores Haze. Lolita is also the story of a hypercivilized European colliding with the cheerful barbarism of postwar America. Most of all, it is a meditation on love-love as outrage and hallucination, madness and transformation.
Ratings (183)
Incredible (49) | |
Loved It (47) | |
Liked It (45) | |
It Was OK (21) | |
Did Not Like (15) | |
Hated It (6) |
Reader Stats (339):
Read It (183) | |
Currently Reading (4) | |
Want To Read (123) | |
Did Not Finish (7) | |
Not Interested (22) |
7 comment(s)
Even if I've only read 26% of this book I'm both deciding to DNF it and give it one stars. No Mather how beautiful the writing it is or how weirdly readable it is can save it from the horrible content of this book. Can't just handle so much of being in the head of a pedofile trying to show his point. In no way is it acceptable to feel what he feels or being as close to "Lolita" as he is. It's sick, it's mental and I have no clue why this is deemed as one of the most loved classics.
“There was still that stream of pale moths siphoned out of the night by my headlights.”
Excruciatingly gorgeous prose littered throughout the entire book from start to finish. With that said, the overly French-filled parts were not my cup of tea but the story, as told from Humbert’s side made it easy to understand the “why” behind his decisions, as alienating as they might be.
its a classic and no comments for a classic..
good͵ugly͵bad.
I honestly didn't make it through all of this book. A super-hyped book I couldn't stomach enough to finish it, and honestly didn't understand all of the appeal and ravings about it. I work as a social worker and have worked with child victims, and it honestly made my stomach turn. I feel like I should try to read the whole thing before I judge though, so I might give it another go some day when the material isn't so raw for me.
Horrible story, amazing writing - which is point, of course. Even after all these years and several rereadings (thanks grad school), I find myself momentarily forgetting to hate Humbert, forgetting to fight the riptide of sympathy he's created for his monster. Now that's genius.
Humbert, is our unreliable narrator and I think that this is done extremely well. We see our protagonist "Humbert" fall in love with the 12-yearl old Delores, as it had reminded him of his first love as a child. Growing up his love interest remained in that state, and unknowingly grows into a pedophile with him telling us his experiences with blinders over his "hell-like heaven." With Delores, or his "lolita."
Humbert, a teacher, becomes obsessed with twelve-year-old Dolores (Lolita) because she reminds him of the first girl he'd been in love with. He follows Lolita's every move and confides his longing to be with her in his journal.
What can you read after
Lolita?
About the Author:
Vladimir Nabokov studied French and Russian literature at Trinity College, Cambridge, then lived in Berlin and Paris, writing prolifically in Russian under the pseudonym Sirin. In 1940, he left France for America, where he wrote some of his greatest works-Bend Sinister (1947), Lolita (1955), Pnin (1957),…
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