ketreads's review against another edition
2.5
Nabokov's purpose of writing the book, to capture a pedophiles point of view, was expertly done. Humbert in all ways encapsulates a being able to cause untold damage to an innocent. Humbert is undeniably a horrible, calous, and unrepentant villain. Reading the mental gymnastics this character went through to justify his actions was infuriating and it feels almost so over the top to be comedic. How can a character be so reflective and yet so blind to the irony of his own judgement.
I often found, especially in the 2nd half, the inner dialogue of Humbert very difficult to follow. I'm not sure if this was intentional, to show his mental decline, but I found myself unable to understand what a lot of sentences were saying. The ones I did, were very well written, almost poetic so it feels more intentional by the author than otherwise.
I'm also not sure whether to say I "liked" the book but I do think it achieved what I sought out of the book. Read at your own peril!
Graphic: Racism, Pedophilia, Sexism, Sexual assault, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship
bibyabs's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Adult/minor relationship, Incest, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Gaslighting and Sexism
Minor: Fatphobia
lollipopkenny123's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Murder and Sexism
I don't even know how to rate this book. Is it wonderfully written? Yes. But was this the hardest book I ever read? Also yes.manybees's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Sexism, Sexual violence, Emotional abuse, Car accident, Death of parent, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Child death, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, Trafficking, and Incest
Moderate: Alcoholism, Pregnancy, Confinement, Classism, Grief, Medical content, Miscarriage, and Death
Minor: Biphobia, Body shaming, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Rape, Racism, Sexual assault, and Racial slurs
There is only one abuse scene that could be considered sexually explicit and it is written in such an abstracted and poetic way that it’s almost kinda hard to tell what’s going on. There is also period-typical racism and racial slurs.gabriella_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Trafficking, Stalking, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Kidnapping, Car accident, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Self harm, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Panic attacks/disorders, Infidelity, Body shaming, Sexism, Gaslighting, Incest, Mental illness, Grief, Sexual content, Rape, Pregnancy, Adult/minor relationship, and Emotional abuse
greenrequiem's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Child abuse, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Sexism, Abandonment, and Sexual violence
redhedonism's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Murder, Sexual assault, Rape, and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Kidnapping, Death of parent, Sexual content, Violence, Incest, Racism, Misogyny, Racial slurs, and Sexism
spritebabie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Sexual content, Confinement, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Gaslighting, Car accident, Child abuse, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Murder, Pregnancy, Sexism, Violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship
persikan_05's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Incest, Medical content, Pedophilia, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Rape, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Car accident, Child abuse, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Murder, Pregnancy, Racism, Alcohol, Blood, Death of parent, and Gun violence
elisanisly's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pedophilia, Rape, Murder, Mental illness, Sexual harassment, and Abandonment
Moderate: Death of parent, Sexual content, Sexism, Misogyny, Drug abuse, Stalking, Racial slurs, and Racism
Minor: Forced institutionalization and Child death