quotablebookquotes discussion

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So I finally got around to finishing this part/actually getting on my laptop instead of my iPod because I really prefer to type on a keyboard when talking with you all.

One of my friends saw me reading this and was surprised I was because I'm apparently the pure spirit in the group or something, and reading this was against my norm. Or whatever. But she asked how I thought of it since she had read it before, and the only thing I could think of telling her was I could feel the uncomfortableness radiating off the pages.

I cannot believe the man's name is Humbert Humbert. Because of our ASoUE readings here, I was reminded of Montgomery Montgomery, which made me laugh a little inside.

I honestly can't understand where some people believe this is a romantic story. The language is beautiful, Nabokov is an excellent writer, but at the same time that makes me squirmy while reading. But the story itself isn't romantic at all! Humbert is obviously suffering from some kind of psychological trauma from Annabel dying so abruptly in his childhood, and seriously needs help.

He writes so confidently, it's eerie to read the way he justifies his "love" and his descriptions of Dolores.

Actually, the way he treats the prostitutes and his wife, it makes me wonder if he'll feel the same about Dolores--throw her away once she's older and not a nymphet anymore. But he also says she resembles Annabel greatly... So maybe he will love her even when she's older because she'll make him think of what their life would've been together? I don't think I'm far enough yet to make a conclusion on that.

Another interesting point is his wife who cheated on him with the taxi driver. He was angry when she told him she was going to leave, so does he appreciate older women, or was it more of a pride conflict? Because of his violent thoughts here, and then his other violent/disturbing daydreams later on in this section, I'll wait on answering that as well. So far I'm thinking that he's just an insane man who's triggered by times of high stress.

For one thing, I feel bad for Charlotte because she is being SO played by Humbert, but at the same time I really don't like her character. She is so fake, and even though I can't understand French, I'll take Humbert's word that her French is awful. She's so... European wannabe. I just shudder whenever she goes on about decorating or loving Humbert. Wait until she finds out about his obsession over her daughter... That should be fun.

Lo is also kind of annoying... Pretty bratty. I like that through Humbert's recollections, he's so biased and blinded by Lo but we can also see how imperfect she is. Kind of adds on to the obsessiveness. While reading the part where he rubbed her legs while singing, I just kind of closed my legs tighter together. That poor girl, and she doesn't even know. Ugh.

It's really hard for me to imagine him as attractive as he says he is with a name like Humbert Humbert combined with his pedophilia. I'm sure it's all about the time period, but if I were Charlotte, I'd have assumed Humbert was gay... I don't know, I would've gotten that vibe from him haha.

Well, guys. I don't know how many of you are reading this or did, but I'm here to talk about it!