my edition
Lolita is one of those books that you're either going to love or you're going to hate. I choose the former -- it is simply superb.
I fell in love with Nabokov after reading Pale Fire, but I'd never read Lolita. Truthfully, this book has been sitting on my bookshelf for years, because I was hesitant to read it due to the subject matter. Yes, the main character is a pedophile, yes, the subject in question is 12 years old. No, I do not condone sex with children or even adult fascination with "nymphets." However, Lolita, as it turns out, is a masterpiece, an outstanding read, and my faith in Nabokov remains justified.
I won't go through the plot details, but I think this book has been much misunderstood and my suspicion is that most readers who hated this book probably either did not finish it all the way through or missed the point entirely.
Nabokov's writing is simply superb, exquisite, and all of the other superlatives you can possibly think of. The man was a genius with his use of the English language and his depiction of post-WWII American culture. I found myself reading this book very slowly so as not to miss a single word or a single nuance. His writing is filled with word play, he uses comedy to balance out the tragedy of it all, and reading the book was an experience.
In considering your feelings about Lolita, you have to remember that Humbert Humbert is an unreliable narrator at best -- very sly, self-serving and downright devious. I never at any point in time felt sorry for him, but without giving away the show, the ending of this novel (not the very end, but close to, when he meets up with Lolita after some time) was simply beautiful. Nabokov wasn't at all sanctioning pedophilia ... if you read carefully, and finish the entire book, you'll find it's just the opposite.
An amazing book, I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys a reading masterpiece...here, literature definitely shines as art to be savored and enjoyed.
linked to Cym Lowell's Book Review Party Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Awesome post! We are very simpatico in our takes on Lolita. Thanks for reading my Lolita piece as well...I loved it and put it as #1 on my list mainly due to the sheer beauty of the writing, poetic!
ReplyDeleteI read Lolita many years ago and remember liking it very much. You make interesting points about Nabokov's writing - I really should revisit it and give it a more thorough reading. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome! It made me feel slimy for the longest time, but good writing always wins out.
ReplyDelete+JMJ+
ReplyDeleteI read one of Nabokov's short stories a while ago, and on that basis alone, I have no doubt that Lolita is as good as everyone says it is.
This book was recommended to me by a former student several years ago, but I never did get around to reading it.
PS--I found you on the Book Review Party. =)
Enbrethiliel, it is truly difficult to get past the subject matter, but yes, it is excellent.
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming by!
I came from Cym Lowell's Book Review Party Wednesdays (BRPW).
ReplyDeleteI tend to steer clear of this genre for the same reason I do not read horror. Not because I hate it or the books are not good. I simply do not like it. But for those who likes this kind of reads, this sounds like a good book.
Cherry Mischivus
www.cherrymischievous.com
Thanks for the comment, Cherry. I noticed on your blog that you like sci-fi, fantasy and romance. I'm not a romance reader at all, and I think that everyone's different tastes in reading are really what makes life interesting! Check back again...I like sci-fi and some fantasy.
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