Reviews

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

gubler2003's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

A widely misunderstood novel. However it comes with its precautions and can be disturbing. Perhaps that's what it is meant for? Who knows.

topadragoi's review against another edition

dark tense 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

4.0

jennnnay44's review against another edition

2.0

writing is fascinating but still vomit inducing nonetheless

It’s tough to even give it stars. The writing is really good tbh but the subject matter is tough to stomach. I had to skim toward the end but honestly this is my first Nabokov and I hope the others aren’t as beautifully revolting as this one.

plottingtowin's review against another edition

challenging slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

murderballadeer's review against another edition

this book made me sick to my stomach, and i mean that entirely as a compliment to the writing. in the hands of a lesser writer, this easily could have become one of two things: an unwitting romanticization of the subject matter through flowery prose and attempts at giving the child molester character depth by making him sympathetic in some way, or a sensationalized look at shocking subject matter that goes out of its way to explicitly condemn what is happening and in the process strips the narrative and its characters of all depth. as it is, what nabokov achieves here is a delicate balance: we spend so much time in humbert's head that we grow accustomed to his narrative voice and his endless self-flagellating and attempts at justifications for his actions, but every so often something slips in that viscerally reminds us that lolita is a child, and that no matter how much he claims to hate himself humbert still continued to abuse her, and suddenly everything about the situation comes back into full view and we appreciate how sinister it really is, all without the narrative having to come right out and didactically tell us that that's the case. it is a novel that serves as a truly nauseating reminder that someone can be educated, charming, well spoken and even self-loathing, and that does not stop them from doing horrible things to others -- in fact that may be what helps them get away with it.

jonaundderwal's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad 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

4.25

kimipr's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship

Moderate: Rape

kstromberg's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad medium-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

3.5

emm4reads'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? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

tracyreally's review against another edition

5.0

I DID IT I READ LOLITA!

I've been trying since apparently the summer of 1998, but this time I guess I was in the mood for a combo meal of gorgeous, lush language and wordplay and a grody and vile plotline. I was at once enchanted and repulsed.