Vladimir Nabokov - Lolita

by Christine Clegg

Book by

Genres: Fiction, Classics

176 pages, Paperback

First published September 6, 2002

Reviews

[Dylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ya gotta get the annotated version! Normally I find annotations distracting, but in this case, they make it so much richer. The book is great on its own, but ol' Vlad put in so many obscure references, French phrases, and wordy riddles that it's great to have them all explained at the back of the book. I'd like to say I just knew what they all meant without any help, but that would be lying. After reading the annotated version, one will know Lolita inside and out...kinda like Humbert, tee hee...eww.

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant writing, creepy enough to be dangerous and instantly memorable. You won't ever forget Humbert Humbert. Still, I like Pale Fire better. You need to read this just to know what Sting is singing about in "Don't Stand So Close to Me." From back when Sting was cool, if you can imagine that.

[Chak · Rating 5 out of 5]

The thing I found most interesting in this book (and there was much to be interested in - Nabokov is a genius) was the way Humbert, the predator narrator offers only his side of the story and tries very hard to make it seem justified and reasonable, yet it is so easy to read everything that Humbert doesn't say. I thought that was done admirably.

[Vivian]

A confusing yet extremely well written book about the love Humbert Humbert has for a girl he calls Lolita. The intensity of his writing style and the meaning behind different phrases is unique and unbelievable.

[Lucian Bogdan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nu mi-a plăcut.
În cazul meu, e genul de lectură înfiorător de plicticoasă. Oricât am tras de mine, după două treimi din carte n-am mai putut și am abandonat lectura. Nu rezonez de nicio culoare cu textele care aprofundează drame și obsesii, iar în cazul de față obsesia e singurul lucru pe care se focalizează atenția autorului, nu a existat nimic care să-mi permită să-mi mut atenția spre altceva. E pur și simplu o sondare continuă, tot mai profundă, a dramei interioare a unui obsedat și a dramei produse de el în viața obiectului obsesiei sale. Probabil că, pentru cei care gustă genul acesta de subiect/temă, e o carte bună, ori chiar foarte bună. Pentru mine e dintr-o galaxie foarte, foarte îndepărtată, cu care nu am aproape nimic în comun. Nabokov se alătură lui Dostoievski, Marquez, de Amicis, Malot, Dickens ș.a. în lista autorilor pe care, dacă nu-i voi mai citi niciodată, tot ar fi prea curând.

[gabrielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

reading this made me angry but i realized that was what nabokov wanted. it is written in a way that tries to make you feel sympathetic for humbert—and i think that was an intentional writing choice by nabokov that i really admire. but it is quite disturbing to read nonetheless. it feels weird to read about something so disgusting and to be intrigued about what will happen next, but i think that is exactly what nabokov wanted.

[Talivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

La relación incestuosa y pederasta al mismo tiempo. No son precisamente mis temas favoritos. Aún cuando Nabokov lo escribiera de forma magistral.

[Vil · Rating 5 out of 5]

4. 9

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the most beautiful books ever written. i die every time.

[Emmanoelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a wonderfully written book. One of my favorites and it is not Wilde's ... The story is beautiful, and for those who only saw the movie... Go read it!

[Dr Ronald]

............I keep seeing James Mason's portrayal of the 1960 black and white movie. I wonder what
happened to Sue Lyon ?

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant, if not disturbing, read. Nabokov is a master of language and form. He never disappoints. I guess this is why the classics are called classics. Highly recommended.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nabokov can control English -- but he can't always control my attention.