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vik88's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is only my second classic book, the first being an unsuccessful attempt to read 'Dracula'. The experience was certainly interesting.
I find that the written moments of the book that I enjoyed most were the descriptions of the trip across the States. They invoked this aesthetic sense of mundanity alongside a romanticisation of these ordinary things.
However, it is the sense of the characters a reader gets throughout the book that has caught (and kept) my attention. The complexity of the characters is astounding - it's been a long time since I read a book that has equally made me sympathetic and annoyed at all the characters the reader encounters.
It's Lolita. The way she's encouraged to express her innocence in a situation where doing so has known consequences. It's the way some of her behaviour annoyed me due to its immature nature yet I simultaneously had to acknowledge that Lolita was a child and, therefore, it was expected (even encouraged and welcomed by Humbert). It's Lolita's acknowledgment of her situation and the undertone of the implied scenes. It's Dolly Schiller and her attitude towards Humbert at the very end. All of these form this image of a child who was doing the best she could in a no-win situation and that refused to be dragged down by traumatic experiences.
It's Humbert. It's his manipulation tactics that suggest intelligence and cunning (traits that are usually admired) alongside his paranoia and possessive behaviour that leaves an impression of him as a pathetic character. It's the way Humbert says Lolita is his 'one true love' and the object of all his desires, while being frequently enamored with other prepubescents. It's the way I have to acknowledge his love for Lolita as being true but also as being selfish and self-absorbed. The way he accepts, at the beginning of the book, that after Lolita is no longer a 'nymphet' his desire for her will stop and yet, at the end, his desire remains. It shows Humbert as a flawed, likable-yet-not human being that is prone to self-delusion in the moment but one that has, in the writing of the book, reflected and acknowledged his actions and their consequences.
I was bored; I was compelled; I was frustrated; I was content.
I find that the written moments of the book that I enjoyed most were the descriptions of the trip across the States. They invoked this aesthetic sense of mundanity alongside a romanticisation of these ordinary things.
However, it is the sense of the characters a reader gets throughout the book that has caught (and kept) my attention. The complexity of the characters is astounding - it's been a long time since I read a book that has equally made me sympathetic and annoyed at all the characters the reader encounters.
It's Humbert. It's his manipulation tactics that suggest intelligence and cunning (traits that are usually admired) alongside his paranoia and possessive behaviour that leaves an impression of him as a pathetic character. It's the way Humbert says Lolita is his 'one true love' and the object of all his desires, while being frequently enamored with other prepubescents. It's the way I have to acknowledge his love for Lolita as being true but also as being selfish and self-absorbed. The way he accepts, at the beginning of the book, that after Lolita is no longer a 'nymphet' his desire for her will stop and yet, at the end, his desire remains. It shows Humbert as a flawed, likable-yet-not human being that is prone to self-delusion in the moment but one that has, in the writing of the book, reflected and acknowledged his actions and their consequences.
I was bored; I was compelled; I was frustrated; I was content.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Pedophilia
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
pinkfloydtwisted's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, and Rape
graecus_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, and Rape
oliviatheron's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Murder
thewoodlandbookshelf's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Incest, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Car accident, Death of parent, and Murder
whtbout2ndbrkfst's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, and Murder
caseymenges's review against another edition
I found it boring. The way the story is written is confusing and very dull.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, Toxic relationship, and Pregnancy
nikwui's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I’d recommend this book to those who enjoyed Jun’ichiro Tanizaki’s Naomi. Although, this is much harder to suggest as a potential read. Lolita is an incredible look into the rotten minds that take advantage of minors and seem to think that a sufficient amount of perceivable intelligence will save them from being judged (rightly so) by the law and society.
I have never felt more disturbed by such a well written piece of work in my life. If you walk away from this novel thinking it was a love story, I hope you grow a few brain cells or a brain entirely.
I have never felt more disturbed by such a well written piece of work in my life. If you walk away from this novel thinking it was a love story, I hope you grow a few brain cells or a brain entirely.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia and Rape
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.
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.
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.
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