Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

212 reviews

jaymae21's review against another edition

challenging dark sad 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

4.0

The language of this book is some of the most beautiful I have ever read, and the subject matter the most revolting.  This will not be a book you can fly through, you will have to pace yourself, take breaks, and try to refrain from throwing the book across the room in order to get through it.  So why read it at all?  For anyone with an interest in psychology, it's an interesting look into the mind of a mad nymphomaniac.  For anyone with a liking for satire, this book has some surprisingly funny moments.   For anyone with a love of language, there are passages that will make you forget you are reading about pedophilia, and remind you of the power of words.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Rape, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Alcoholism

allysontrinh's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective sad tense slow-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

3.75

The infamous Lolita is a classic that I was excited to dive into, having heard so many things about it. The story seemed interesting, dark, and like it would leave me feeling emotionally confused and numb—everything that I yearn for in a book. While the book definitely delivered on all fronts in that regard, I can't help but feel disappointed. Unlike other dark and heavy stories, I did not feel satisfied after finishing this book as a result of the older style of writing. Maybe this is more telling of my literary comprehension/understanding than of the literary quality of this novel, but what review is 100% objective? So while I can't faithfully comment on the writing itself, I can still speak upon the story.

This story is disgusting, horrifying, spine-chilling, thought-provoking, mind-bending, honest, and confusing all at the same time. Nabokov is able to transform his readers into Humbert Humbert, meaning I was repulsed and confused with myself when I snapped out of the immersion. Would I suggest others to read? I'm not sure, it depends on the type of reader and person you are. If you're looking for an easy read, steer clear! But if you don't mind an older style of writing, random French, German, and Latin scattered throughout, and dark/twisted stories are your thing, then this classic is worth the read. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment

elizbitt's review against another edition

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

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

herathecat's review against another edition

challenging dark slow-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

2.0

This is first book I've read which I've had the urge to burn after reading.  And perhaps that shows that the author achieved what he set out to do.  The whole book just made me feel really uncomfortable and disgusted.  I read it quickly to get it over with and to finally see the whole miserable story end and

learn how Lolita finally gets away from Humbert.

  Like someone else said in their review, there is nothing enjoyable about reading this.  A lot of people have spoken about Nabokov's prose, but for me it felt jarring to see him describe landscapes in poetic language after talking about the pleasure he takes in statutory rape.  I also found his writing a bit flowery for my tastes, and I skimmed over passages that had no real purpose. I gave it a 2 because it is objectively well-written, but it took me to a place I never want to go again, and into the mind of a character I never wanted to go in the first place.  I read it because it's a classic, and I assumed it would have some redeeming value, but it just made me want to bleach my brain afterwards to get rid of any memory of this protagonist.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, and Murder

littleneptune's review against another edition

dark emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No

4.5

This is really one of those books I read because I felt like I should read it at least once in my life. I’m glad I did. It is no surprise how hard the premise of this book is and it did make it harder to go through it, but it was soooo worth it. Lolita is a very well written book and kept me hooked for hours, wanting to know how it would all unfold. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Gaslighting

nypho_maniac's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense 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

2.0

I threw up

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Murder

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