This is undoubtedly a shocking book - so much so that people will consider you weird(and a little sick) if you admit that you liked the book.
And I liked it a whole lot. I liked how Nabokov aroused empathy in his readers for Humbert Humbert - a twisted paedophilic molester. This is wholly due to the beautiful prose, which presents the main character as a caring lover badly wounded by a tragic romance in his childhood days. Within the narrative, of course, is the disturbing and ugly nature of the relationship. This was what kept me from sympathising with Humbert and seeing Dolores as the manipulator.
Lolita is as unfortunately realistic today as it was when first published; with Humbert apologising, justifying and warping the reality of their relationship. This is what makes it a must-read: Nabokov managed to write a brilliantly deceptive novel over which opinion remains sharply divided.
I would not recommend this book for anyone who is looking to identify and sympathise with the characters throughout their journey. I think this book requires undivided attention to justify the prose; as well as a willingness to engage with this disturbing(and eventually tragic) story.
Unfortunately misunderstood
This is undoubtedly a shocking book - so much so that people will consider you weird(and a little sick) if you admit that you liked the book.
And I liked it a whole lot. I liked how Nabokov aroused empathy in his readers for Humbert Humbert - a twisted paedophilic molester. This is wholly due to the beautiful prose, which presents the main character as a caring lover badly wounded by a tragic romance in his childhood days. Within the narrative, of course, is the disturbing and ugly nature of the relationship. This was what kept me from sympathising with Humbert and seeing Dolores as the manipulator.
Lolita is as unfortunately realistic today as it was when first published; with Humbert apologising, justifying and warping the reality of their relationship. This is what makes it a must-read: Nabokov managed to write a brilliantly deceptive novel over which opinion remains sharply divided.
I would not recommend this book for anyone who is looking to identify and sympathise with the characters throughout their journey. I think this book requires undivided attention to justify the prose; as well as a willingness to engage with this disturbing(and eventually tragic) story.