Lolita Review

Hi readers,

I'm not really sure when and why Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov was added to my reading list, but I got it for Christmas and was eager to start reading it. However, I've yet to finish it because I've been so busy making things and writing. Unlike my last book, City of Bone, I didn't have a problem getting into the novel or sticking with it and the subject matter doesn't get to me either. So, why have I not finished it yet?

Well, Lolita was written in the 1950's and the vocabulary reflects that, but it's also is very philosophical and shows the education of the main character and narrator Humbert Humbert. He is an unreliable narrator though and not just because of his bias point of view, but that he can't remember everything. Grant not many people can do! Though his lack of giving a complete picture doesn't actually effect the novel and it does make Humbert more human.

I've not read any classic literature recently, so this adds to the reason why I'm taking it slow with this book. It might only be just over 300 pages long, but there is a lot going on and time is needed to fully understand it. One of the reasons why I was drawn to Lolita was because of the controversy that still surrounds it. That's understandable as it tells the story of a pedophile, Humbert, in his own words and his relationship with a twelve year old girl, Dolores Haze, who he gives the name Lolita to.

When it was first published, Lolita was banned in the UK, Argentina, New Zealand and South Africa. Canada followed a few years later. In other countries it was restricted in sales and not published in its' full form. This was because it was viewed as having obscene content and subject matter. Now though, like a few other past banned books it's actually studied in schools and colleges.

So, far I've enjoyed reading it and its' interesting to see into the mindset of a character like Humbert. He does do a lot of bad things in the novel, such as marrying Lolita's mother and plotting to kill her, so that he can be closer to Lolita. He runs away with Lolita too and grooms her by buying her things and letting her indulge. It's also interesting to see how Humbert somewhat blames young girls for his attractiveness to them. He calls girls aged 9-14 Nymphets, meaning that they are sexually precocious. Also that they are like the Greek Nymphs, they are minor female- often young maidens- nature deities, who are know to attract men and led them astray. Humbert also suggests that the reason is the death of his childhood sweetheart.  Of course, that's no excuse.

I have also enjoyed how Humbert describes America. He was born in France and got some of his education in London. He goes to America due to the death of an uncle who left him an income if he went to run the business. This though he has little interest in and spends the time writing and translating. This actually reflects Nabokov's move from his Russian home to London and then America.

This novel is pretty interesting though and it would be good to study. I guess I should go and finish it!


Image from:

 http://www.looksandbooks.com/2011/06/23/fashion-book-lolita/

Other information used:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lolita#Publication_and_reception
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nymph