Overall, what did you think of Lolita?
I did not read Lolita but am following this discussion. I wonder if there is anything “redeeming” about this story. The topic is especially difficult for me personally.
I guess what I enjoy about the book has little to do with the plot. For me, it’s more about the fact that it makes me think so much beyond the book.
First there’s the language. Humbert’s narration is intriguing - at times lush, at times very funny, and at times exceptionally manipulative. It often feels as if he’s trying to seduce the reader to his point of view as well as to excuse his behavior.
Much has been made of the way Nabokov plays word games throughout the text, too. Take, for example, “Vivian Darkbloom,” which is an anagram of Vladimir Nabokov. Clare Quilty’s initials - CQ - can be read as “seek you.” Picking up on this type of thing emphasizes the artifice of the text. It’s a brilliant way of having the author interact with his reader.
And Humbert himself is a fascinating character - one of the best unreliable narrators ever penned. Is he delusional? Does he truly believe his love for Lolita is innocent, or is he trying to whitewash his crime?
Anyway, this is my third reading of the book and I pick up something new each time. And, each time, I spend many hours afterwards thinking about it.
Kim, thank you for your comments. I’m curious, what prompted you to read the book three times? I might assume one reading, perhaps the third, was for BB discussion. If I understand you, the plot isn’t what draws you to the book but rather the author, his style and interaction with the reader.
@NanK You’re correct that the third reading was for BookBrowse. I read it many years ago for a book challenge (“Read a book with an unreliable narrator”). That was in my pre-BookBrowse days, so it had to have been maybe 20 years ago. And then I listened to it as an audiobook about 10 years ago just because.
BTW, the audiobook narrated by Jeremy Irons is phenomenal.
I have to admit this is a book that benefits from taking a look at some of the professional analysis surrounding it. I don’t think I’d have picked up on all the ways Nabokov plays with his readers on my own.