The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! š
claudialucas99's review against another edition
dark
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
chrisbiss's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
Nabokov uses language like absolutely nobody else.
sangreeno's review against another edition
5.0
āI knew I had fallen in love with Lolita forever: but I also knew she would not be forever my Lolita.ā
I am not usually one to reread books or rewatch films, but Vladimir Nabokovās Lolita is an exception.
Lolita creates its own aesthetic, and what Nabokov does with words is nothing less than art. As a story told from the perspective of a thirty six year old man who seduces a twelve year old girl, Lolita is morally challenging. Thereās no getting around it. And itās not just the pedophilia either ā itās the murder, rape, and incest that are cunningly intertwined in this literary masterpiece. Nabokov can fool you with his beautiful words, but at its core, Lolita is about exploitation. Sparknotes unerringly wrote that āā¦ the language [in Lolita] effectively triumphs over shocking content and gives it shades of beauty that perhaps it does not deserveā¦ words are [Nabokovās] power, and he uses them to distract, confuse, and charmā.
I was drawn to the nuanced and credible relationship between Humbert Humbert and Dolores more than anything, and my favourite parts involved the author describing the trivialities of their great American road trip. If I must say something critical about this book, then that would be that when the story is more plot-focused, I found myself growing less invested. Strange, for a novel ā although that is perhaps a nod to Nabokovās poetic excellence.
Nabokov writes, āI need you, the reader, to imagine us, for we donāt really exist if you donātā. Fortunately for Nabokov, the reader doesnāt have to try very hard.
I am not usually one to reread books or rewatch films, but Vladimir Nabokovās Lolita is an exception.
Lolita creates its own aesthetic, and what Nabokov does with words is nothing less than art. As a story told from the perspective of a thirty six year old man who seduces a twelve year old girl, Lolita is morally challenging. Thereās no getting around it. And itās not just the pedophilia either ā itās the murder, rape, and incest that are cunningly intertwined in this literary masterpiece. Nabokov can fool you with his beautiful words, but at its core, Lolita is about exploitation. Sparknotes unerringly wrote that āā¦ the language [in Lolita] effectively triumphs over shocking content and gives it shades of beauty that perhaps it does not deserveā¦ words are [Nabokovās] power, and he uses them to distract, confuse, and charmā.
I was drawn to the nuanced and credible relationship between Humbert Humbert and Dolores more than anything, and my favourite parts involved the author describing the trivialities of their great American road trip. If I must say something critical about this book, then that would be that when the story is more plot-focused, I found myself growing less invested. Strange, for a novel ā although that is perhaps a nod to Nabokovās poetic excellence.
Nabokov writes, āI need you, the reader, to imagine us, for we donāt really exist if you donātā. Fortunately for Nabokov, the reader doesnāt have to try very hard.
little_moonflower's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
liekeh97's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bookiepanda's review against another edition
1.0
I can't believe this is how my 2023 starts.
For me, this book was an incredible waste of time and brain cells.
...
Now it's time for a better review.
This book disappointed me. As someone who hasn't watched the movie have just heard about Lolita from here and there, I expected a lot. I imagined it's a very disturbing and disgusting book that will make me shiver and will leave a permanent mark on my mind. Funny enough, what affected me wasn't the concept of the book but the writing. Miles long descriptions which were probably meant to be atmospheric and lyrical, for me were boring and repetitive. I got so overwhelmed by the writing style that I couldn't focus on the plot, couldn't find the depth of it. And don't let me start on the words and phrases in different languages. In my edition of the book the translation of them is at the very back and at some point I got tired of flipping pages back and forth. Besides, it also slows down the reading process.
Overall, I can say that I see what this book is. The character showing his view to the judges and the reader. A dive into the mind of a pedophile. A book that should be terribly disgusting and chilling to the bone when you think that those people do exist all around us. But for me, it couldn't reach that. It didn't reach the depth of impact I was expecting and I'm curious to understand what people like in this book. Maybe it's not for me or maybe I'm just lacking the brain to understand it.
For me, this book was an incredible waste of time and brain cells.
...
Now it's time for a better review.
This book disappointed me. As someone who hasn't watched the movie have just heard about Lolita from here and there, I expected a lot. I imagined it's a very disturbing and disgusting book that will make me shiver and will leave a permanent mark on my mind. Funny enough, what affected me wasn't the concept of the book but the writing. Miles long descriptions which were probably meant to be atmospheric and lyrical, for me were boring and repetitive. I got so overwhelmed by the writing style that I couldn't focus on the plot, couldn't find the depth of it. And don't let me start on the words and phrases in different languages. In my edition of the book the translation of them is at the very back and at some point I got tired of flipping pages back and forth. Besides, it also slows down the reading process.
Overall, I can say that I see what this book is. The character showing his view to the judges and the reader. A dive into the mind of a pedophile. A book that should be terribly disgusting and chilling to the bone when you think that those people do exist all around us. But for me, it couldn't reach that. It didn't reach the depth of impact I was expecting and I'm curious to understand what people like in this book. Maybe it's not for me or maybe I'm just lacking the brain to understand it.
sharppointysticks's review
2.0
Yes, this book is very well written. The language flows in a way you wouldn't expect from someone who is not a Native English speaker (I'm pretty sure he wrote it in English, not Russian. But I can't remember where I heard/read that so I might be making it up). It also didn't hurt that Jeremy Irons narrated the audiobook version.
However, I just don't have the sympathy that others have for the main character, and I cannot view it as a love story no matter how hard I try. I'm glad I read it so I can check of my list of classics to read, but I feel a little like I missed something and a little like I need a shower...
However, I just don't have the sympathy that others have for the main character, and I cannot view it as a love story no matter how hard I try. I'm glad I read it so I can check of my list of classics to read, but I feel a little like I missed something and a little like I need a shower...
mariloom's review against another edition
rating this by enjoyment only (3/5 i would say), due to how it bored me at times, excessive detailing - expected from an obsessive narrator, the ending was strangely satisfying, itās quite depressing how many humberts there are in the world, and even more so how many people think this is a love storyā¦
update 10/12: going back on some reviews where i donāt feel like a star rating is appropriate? idk
update 10/12: going back on some reviews where i donāt feel like a star rating is appropriate? idk
emmamariasweeney's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0