Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

168 reviews

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

cinnamonmist's review against another edition

challenging dark 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

4.75

Not at all for the weak of stomach, but fantastic book if you are prepared for it

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Gun violence, Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Racial slurs, Medical content, and Alcohol

nvlasenkor's review against another edition

challenging dark 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

It was very well-written but the most uncomfortable book I have ever read. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Misogyny, Pedophilia, and Kidnapping

Minor: Adult/minor relationship

Main character kidnaps and continually rapes a 12 year old, then spends the whole book justifying his actions. He goes as far as to blame the girl for tempting him, refer to her not as a human but as a demon child. Really well written but this is not for the faint of heart. I felt very downcast reading this and almost DNF’d.

tterry's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pedophilia and Sexual assault

Moderate: Sexual violence

Minor: Violence

operaghost7's review against another edition

This book was too hard of a read in the sense of the very dark and evil subject it covered. I didn’t enjoy reading it, only made me hate some aspects of humanity more.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Kidnapping

It’s goes heavy into the thoughts of the groomer and his sexual fantasies. Overall extremely uncomfortable to read and makes me angry.

saturn_rage's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense medium-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

3.0

Jeromy Irons the narrator carries this for me. I hate hate hate hate hate our main character, Humbert Humbert, and while this book is a fantastic example of unreliable narration, he is not redeemable in any ways. Having actually read this book also makes me reevaluate earlier assessments of this story I’ve heard before by others, namely that you will feel bad for Humbert. The opening of Captain Fantastic comes to mind in this regard. And if you share this sentiment, that you are sorry for this monster, then you are telling on yourself. I’m glad I read this, I think it should be read, but I will never touch it again. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Trafficking

Moderate: Sexism and Stalking

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

sipblueberrytea's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment

batrick_pateman's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective sad 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

Where to start?
This is one of the most beautifully written books I've ever read, maybe even the most beautifully written. Nabokov was a master at playing with language, it's amazing that he only started writing in English in the middle of his life and career. I'm in awe of the writing, and the plot makes me feel filthy. Like a stain I can't remove.
In a lesser writer's hands, Humbert Humbert would be a stock character and this book would be worse than worthless - but Nabokov turns it into a dissection of not just a predator's psyche, but the reader's idea of a predator's psyche. At every turn, H. H. is trying to win the reader's sympathy - he never lies, but he obscures, justifies, begs, contrasts himself with

Quilty

, and does everything else he can to hide the fact that he is a monster. Thanks to Nabokov's writing, it almost works - recognizing H. H. as a monster and a predator forces you to reject the popular image of The Pedophile and re-think your idea of what predators are like. Brilliant, disturbing, important, gorgeously written, and a book I'll definitely return to someday.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Gun violence and Murder

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