A Reader's Guide to Nabokov's 'Lolita'

by Julian Connolly

One of the most fascinating and controversial novels of the twentieth century, Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita is renown for its innovative style and notorious for its subject matter and influence on popular culture. A Reader’s Guide to Nabokov’s “Lolita” carries readers through the intricacies of Nabokov’s work and helps them achieve a better understanding of his rich artistic design. The book opens with a detailed chronology of Nabokov’s life and literary career. Chapters include an analysis of the novel, a discussion of its precursors in Nabokov’s work and in world literature, an essay on the character of Dolly Haze (Humbert’s “Lolita”), and a commentary on the critical and cultural afterlife of the novel. The volume concludes with an annotated bibliography of selected critical reading. The guide should prove illuminating both for first-time readers of Lolita and for experienced re-readers of Nabokov’s classic work.

Genres: Nonfiction

208 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[gianluca]

lolita as a work of cunning, deception, manipulation, or a display of immaculate prose and aestheticization. lolita as a derivative experience, a work of referencing. lolita and humbert, per humbert’s words, both victims and perpetrators. lolita as the illusion of time’s stillness, and the realization that time cannot be stopped outside the enchanted world of imagination. nabokov’s humbert: a pathetic man, consumed by his obsession; tragic and laughable at the same time; ruthless and oblivious to his own malignant desires, self-absorbed, deliriously narcissistic, enamored of the idea of being the artist of his own life. lolita as a rusalka, dolores as an empty simulacrum for humbert’s first love, annabel leigh; and annabel leigh an empty simulacrum for poe’s annabel lee.

this book is everything you need to delve deep into nabokov’s mind, his web of references, his views on the american road-trip trope, his real (or supposed) intentions behind his prose, what critics of the time got or (more often) didn’t get about him, or lolita, and how misogyny played a substantial part in the lolita symbolic identity we still carry to this day. i also loved the connection the author traced between lolita and some of nabokov’s younger short stories

recommended

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a superbly researched piece. However, I feel that the editors/proofreaders did Connolly a HUGE disservice here. The book is littered with spelling errors, even including 'Nabakov' and 'Humber'. Most of the typos occur within quotations too. I would have also liked a segment on OBEL.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got to read the book again. This isn't what I expect though:
"... Speaking of the excerpts published in the Anchor Review, Janeway states: “The first time I read Lolita I thought it was one of the funniest books I’d ever come on […] The second time I read it, uncut, I thought it was one of the saddest.”

[Victor Popa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of insightful notes (especially in Chapter 5, dedicated to an extended commentary of Nabokov's text). Great general overview.

[Danielle Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This critical reading draws upon the (inaccurate) ways in which other critics have viewed this text, as one of a girl who “seduces” a middle-aged man, opposed to a feminist reading which places Delores in a tragic light. It allows Lolita to be seen as a warning that even the wolf can be clothed in gentlemen’s garments. Dolly is ultimately silenced; where her identity is viciously ripped from her. However, it still left me with the inevitable question - How exactly did Nabokov write such a text?

[Lizzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fantastic for anyone who is a fan of "Lolita." It gives so much insight and provides you with several different theories to think about for future readings. My only problem is that there are dozens of typos that make the reading very frustrating. But if you're able to overlook that, I'd recommend the book!

[Amir Shafie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful, i recommend it before reading original Lolita. The author repeated himself in couple of occasions and some editorial mistakes that was annoying but overall i was happy to read it,