Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

214 reviews

dr_sol's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Drug use

Minor: Death of parent

charlotteturt's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• 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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, and Death of parent

maratagon's review against another edition

challenging dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Kidnapping

m4rtt4's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense slow-paced

• 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

3.75

no book has ever made me want to throw up this much

BUT

I can't say that the book was bad. The writing was repulsive yet undeniably compelling, it made me want to bleach my eyes AND hopelessly keep reading as if I could save the little girl by turning pages. I wanted to know, I needed to know — yet still, I now wish I knew nothing at all.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Kidnapping, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Mental illness and Death of parent

kmae314's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Would not read again. I’ve seen enough. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Stalking, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment

andrewfischerr19's review against another edition

challenging dark tense slow-paced

• 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

5.0

Wow. I just went into this book knowing that Kubrick adapted it (haven't watched it yet, but planning to). It was very intriguing seeing how Nabokov wrote in the perspective of an abuser, and I found that my favorite parts where Humbert scoffs and spits in your face for assuming the right thing. the character manipulates you and you often catch yourself saying "wait a second, I know what you're doing." Overall, Lolita is beautifully written and if you can handle the subject matter I heavily recommend.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Racism and Xenophobia

priscillarobock's review against another edition

Explicit pedophila. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual violence, and Gaslighting

ettan's review against another edition

The way the book is written was interesting and at times beautiful. Challenging read both in terms of language and content. I couldn't finish it because of the dark themes, it made me uncomfortable and very sad. "How reliable is the narrator" was one of my main thoughts when reading it. At times the main protagonist could go on about his interpretation of events for multiple pages and just briefly mention something terrible or how the victim reacted "according to him".

I do not wish to continue it, but do not regret giving it a try.

I made a google doc of quotes that made my stomach turn, 2 from over 10 pages worth;

"-adorable pubescent pet..."
"-I often felt we lived in a lighted house of glass, and any moment some thin-lipped parchment face would peer through a carelessly unshaded window to obtain a free glimpse of things that the most jaded voyeur would have paid a small fortune to watch..."

 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Stalking

lisvxdro's review against another edition

challenging dark sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I will admit that I had some trouble getting through this not because of the subject matter, but by my lack of focus. Nabokov’s writing is descriptive, delicate, tongue-in-cheek, and funny at some points. One misread and the next few sentence (even words) become confusing. That is to say that you must pay attention, which I had trouble with. Not because of his writing, but of my own focus. I will need to re-read this at a later time with more focus.

This book is considered by many one of the greatest pieces of modern literature. Im failing to understand why or how it’s celebrated. Is it due to the psychological deep dive of Humbert Humbert and his way with words or the portrayal of such a topic that is now obviously incredibly repulsive. I was hesitant to give it 4-stars for my first read but I feel like it’s mainly due to my understanding. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, and Kidnapping

liathibault's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional fast-paced

• 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

completely and absolutely horrifying to read, yet a work of literary genius. if you’re uncomfortable reading this, you should be.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Stalking, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting