Reviews tagging 'Alcohol'

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

45 reviews

house_of_hannah'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

It's been two days since I finished this book, and I still have no idea how to write a review. I think many write this book off as creepy pedo fodder, but wow is it so much more than it's title indicates. This is a descent into the psyche of a mentally ill man who twists reality to abolish his guilt. 

Our narrator, Humbert Humbert, who we never learn the true name of, twists a tale to try to make himself out as the victim. However, he has moments of clarity where he realizes how terrible what he is doing is, and considers himself a monster. These moments are then erased by his mind twisting the actions of a young girl into something they should never be perceived as. There are also cracks here though, as he notices Dolly (Lolita) crying herself to sleep every night, and how she reacts to a normal father/daughter relationship. 

This book starts off in one direction, but then takes many twists and turns to where we are experiencing the genres of horror, mystery, thriller, and psychology as well. The very beginning of this story starts with Humbert already in custody, so this is a retelling of events. He's quite good at self-analysis, and begins his tale with explaining the event that happened in his childhood that has caused his vile tastes. As someone who is interested in the psychology behind our actions I find this book to be fascinating and frighteningly realistic.

Nabokov has written this book in a way that flows beautifully. So little is outright said, and instead many euphamisms are used to keep the lyrical effect. It constrasts so well with the actual content that I can definitely see why some might call this a masterpiece. Nonetheless, I honestly could not imagine reading this book if I had children of my own. The last sentence of the Foreword really stuck with me through this story (It is also written by a Nabokov character). It is as follows: "Lolita should make all of us - parents, social workers, educators - apply ourselves with still greater vigilance and vision to the task of bringing up a better generation in a safer world."

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Kidnapping, Stalking, Death of parent, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Alcoholism, Violence, and Alcohol

Minor: Gun violence, Blood, Medical content, Murder, and Pregnancy

jmcordero's review against another edition

challenging dark 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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Incest, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Car accident, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Alcohol

Minor: Stalking and Pregnancy

karenaerts'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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, Kidnapping, and Death of parent

Moderate: Body shaming, Drug use, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racism, Blood, Stalking, Car accident, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Alcohol

bunivly's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional 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

4.0

this book was the ultimate mind fuck. honestly think i need five years to recover from it fully. its disturbing and cringe worthy but so well written. using such flowery and feminine language to describe such a dark and unsettling novel was such a beautiful choice. when i say “it’s complicated” for lovable characters, i mean dolores who has now become one of my favorite characters of all time. the only reason this book didnt get a five for me is because at some points it becomes so painfully slow, i can not bare to read more than five pages in a day. overall, this book is a must read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Incest, and Pedophilia

Moderate: Murder and Alcohol

Minor: Body shaming

litltlehistorian's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

This book was complex and more that anything incredibly sad. It is also one of the most beautifully written books about intense content. 

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Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Alcohol

Minor: Antisemitism, Car accident, and Death of parent