Scan barcode
ximcat's review against another edition
2.0
This was an interesting and bittersweet read. I read this for a course on banned books and...well...I can see why this was on the list.
The way it has been written really makes for an "enjoyable" reading experience until H.H. starts getting specific about his tastes for children. That's why I think it's bittersweet, good writing of a disturbing subject.
I'm giving it 3 stars because as well as it was written and regardless of the controversial subject matter, the middle and end of the novel get a bit boring and overly descriptive of unimportant information in my opinion.
......Also because I will never be able to forget the word "nymphet" and not throw up mentally for the rest of my life.
The way it has been written really makes for an "enjoyable" reading experience until H.H. starts getting specific about his tastes for children. That's why I think it's bittersweet, good writing of a disturbing subject.
I'm giving it 3 stars because as well as it was written and regardless of the controversial subject matter, the middle and end of the novel get a bit boring and overly descriptive of unimportant information in my opinion.
......Also because I will never be able to forget the word "nymphet" and not throw up mentally for the rest of my life.
hope_elizabeth_rose's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
ashelion's review against another edition
3.0
This was a very difficult read, due to the nature of the subject matter. Honestly, there were multiple times I needed to put it down and walk away. And yet, at the same time, it is extremely well-written, full of clever word play. I enjoyed Nabokov's prose, but ultimately the subject matter was just too disturbing and so the experience feels like a wash overall.
plasmadad's review against another edition
4.0
the writing was soooo good. and so funny! too bad the narrator is an evil pedophile cause he was cracking me up!
i knew this book was about a middle aged man seducing a 12 year old girl but oh my godddd wow from page 1 it is just paragraph after paragraph of disgustingly detailed descriptions of humberts obsessive desire for young girls. i get why people cant finish this book. its so disturbing.
pretty good book overall. kinda difficult to read but thats just cause im stupid. so much went over my head. i read the spark notes analysis side by side and i was like wow i am missing everything!
i knew this book was about a middle aged man seducing a 12 year old girl but oh my godddd wow from page 1 it is just paragraph after paragraph of disgustingly detailed descriptions of humberts obsessive desire for young girls. i get why people cant finish this book. its so disturbing.
pretty good book overall. kinda difficult to read but thats just cause im stupid. so much went over my head. i read the spark notes analysis side by side and i was like wow i am missing everything!
yami_jaegar's review against another edition
challenging
dark
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
4.0
mydreamsaresilent's review against another edition
4.0
There's no real reason I can find that can lead to me liking this book at all except for the biggest, most obvious, and unavoidable reason - it's unbelievably, astoundingly well written. Nabokov had one hell of a mind and an enviable talent for languages/story telling. While my reason for not giving it five stars should also be the reason I do give it five - the fact that so many passages of H's perverted utterings had me sick to my stomach, a testament to the writer's power - I simply cannot give it five because, for all it's tragic beauty, I use this term vaguely, it still leaves a lingering feeling of 'je ne sais quoi' (forgive the trite French) within my psyche that I don't quite enjoy its now being there. A 'love story' (I testify Humbert Humbert loved himself and his delusions above all else) this may be, but it's also dark, demented, deranged, and more fucked than any shit I have read to date in its profound dealing with broken and warped human interactions.
In the end the book had me asking simply, why? Why did Nabokov saturate himself in the delusions and ideations of such a horrific character (not that monsters in literature are uncommon, but his is particularly monstrous), and why pedophilia? Maybe it's a testament that murder isn't a theme that shocks in literature so he descended into depths much more revolting to garner attention for his literary chops. Any way you slice it, I admire his skills, but I will actively be turning down any future book concerning topics such as this, it would only be another glimpse into the depraved mind I never want to see again.
In the end the book had me asking simply, why? Why did Nabokov saturate himself in the delusions and ideations of such a horrific character (not that monsters in literature are uncommon, but his is particularly monstrous), and why pedophilia? Maybe it's a testament that murder isn't a theme that shocks in literature so he descended into depths much more revolting to garner attention for his literary chops. Any way you slice it, I admire his skills, but I will actively be turning down any future book concerning topics such as this, it would only be another glimpse into the depraved mind I never want to see again.
baileyjules's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 ⭑’s
There is a strong dichotomy between the lovely, silky prose and the nauseating thoughts and actions of Humbert Humbert.
It is distasteful and disheartening, yet not surprising, that many generations have an altered view of this book and the character of Lolita. Lolita is so obviously anti-pedophilia, with Lolita as the clear victim. Despite this, a whole “Lolita aesthetic” (look it up on Pinterest) has been popularized, which is essentially a sexualized innocence aesthetic. This is very damaging because the intention of the book is to show her as a victim, but the aesthetic does the opposite.
People seem to have very extreme thoughts on both sides of the spectrum about this book, often without having read it. On one side, some blame Lolita and view the book as a love story. On the other, some see it as a pornographic novel that encourages pedophilia. Ultimately, I’ve learned how important it is to educate oneself and read banned books to form your own opinion, rather than following the views of misinformed people.
There is a strong dichotomy between the lovely, silky prose and the nauseating thoughts and actions of Humbert Humbert.
It is distasteful and disheartening, yet not surprising, that many generations have an altered view of this book and the character of Lolita. Lolita is so obviously anti-pedophilia, with Lolita as the clear victim. Despite this, a whole “Lolita aesthetic” (look it up on Pinterest) has been popularized, which is essentially a sexualized innocence aesthetic. This is very damaging because the intention of the book is to show her as a victim, but the aesthetic does the opposite.
People seem to have very extreme thoughts on both sides of the spectrum about this book, often without having read it. On one side, some blame Lolita and view the book as a love story. On the other, some see it as a pornographic novel that encourages pedophilia. Ultimately, I’ve learned how important it is to educate oneself and read banned books to form your own opinion, rather than following the views of misinformed people.
ghastlygemini's review against another edition
challenging
dark
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
3.75
lashara's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0