Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
In my quest to become well read, I decided I should read one of the most talked about and controversial books in modern literature, Lolita. I was well aware of the premise of the novel, but had no idea what to expect or why the book is held in such high esteem.
Humbert Humbert is a pedophile. Plain and simple. But this story takes the reader so far inside his head that we can almost justify his actions the same way any criminal and mental disturbed person would. An unfulfilled love affair as a young teenage boy has left Humbert obsessed with what he refers to as a nymphet, a young, prepubescent girl. He searches high and low for one that suits him until he lays eyes on Dolores Haze, his Lolita.
Humbert marries Lolita's mother to remain close to her. While Lolita is away at summer camp, Charlotte is hit by a car and dies. From there on out, Humbert passes himself off as Lolita's father and takes her on a road trip across the United States. He plots out a complicated scheme to seduce Lolita, only to find she is already sexually experienced.
I found this book funny, absurd, and distasteful all at the same time. The prose is delightful and engaging. For the most part it was a page turner, but I felt it dragged on in some parts. But when it was funny, it was laugh out loud funny. And when it was disgusting, it turned my stomach. Lolita has all the makings of a classic novel, with wonderful writing full of emotion. And I'm feeling a little more well read.
In my quest to become well read, I decided I should read one of the most talked about and controversial books in modern literature, Lolita. I was well aware of the premise of the novel, but had no idea what to expect or why the book is held in such high esteem.
Humbert Humbert is a pedophile. Plain and simple. But this story takes the reader so far inside his head that we can almost justify his actions the same way any criminal and mental disturbed person would. An unfulfilled love affair as a young teenage boy has left Humbert obsessed with what he refers to as a nymphet, a young, prepubescent girl. He searches high and low for one that suits him until he lays eyes on Dolores Haze, his Lolita.
Humbert marries Lolita's mother to remain close to her. While Lolita is away at summer camp, Charlotte is hit by a car and dies. From there on out, Humbert passes himself off as Lolita's father and takes her on a road trip across the United States. He plots out a complicated scheme to seduce Lolita, only to find she is already sexually experienced.
I found this book funny, absurd, and distasteful all at the same time. The prose is delightful and engaging. For the most part it was a page turner, but I felt it dragged on in some parts. But when it was funny, it was laugh out loud funny. And when it was disgusting, it turned my stomach. Lolita has all the makings of a classic novel, with wonderful writing full of emotion. And I'm feeling a little more well read.
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