Lolitaby Vladimir Nabokov
published 1955
completed February 2012
Lolita and I have had an interesting relationship. Not being an English major in college, I only heard of it a few years ago when I started seriously looking for book recommendations. It was on many classics lists, but when I read the synopsis, my first reaction was "absolutely won't ever read that." Why would I ever want to read a book about a pedophile? Who would ever want to read a book glorifying a pedophile? Creeps, that's who.
After joining the book blogging community, I started to notice that many bloggers that I respected had read and enjoyed Lolita. I'm assuming they're not creeps so I figured that there must be something more to it. And there is. Much more. I'm glad that I convinced myself that it was okay to read it because my initial impression was completely wrong.
First, the writing is mind-blowing. I read a blog post recently where someone was criticizing Nabakov for being narcissistic in his writing of Lolita, to the point that it distracted from the story. I can understand why they felt that way because at times it was frustrating. I wanted the story to move forward, but I was trapped in this lyrical writing. I can't blame Nabokov for that; I can only blame my personal impatience as a reader. By the book's completion, I appreciated the style of writing and found that fit perfectly. It's written by the ultimate narcissist, not the actual author, but the narrator of his own strange story--Humbert Humbert. It was comical how highly he spoke of his good looks and cleverness.
I can't say that I really enjoyed being in Humbert's head, but it was incredible how Nabokov pulled of a first-person account of pedophile. Despite the subject matter, it's surprisingly not explicit. Much is implied (for which I was grateful). As expected, Humbert is the epimote of an unreliable narrator. The first half of the book, I felt awful because I felt myself sympathizing with him (not that I ever thought what he was doing was okay). As the story moves on, the facade is slowly cracking and you begin see that things aren't as rosy as he was previously painting. By the end the facade is blown wide open, and I'm sure as you'd suspect from this story line, things don't end well for anyone. The reality of it sits heavily.
This is one that I'd love to read again in a few years. I'm not ready to jump back in to the level of sordidness in Humberts mind for a while. It's an uncomfortable read (intentionally so, I think), but I'm hoping that the next time around I can enjoy the language more as I won't be distracted wondering what will happen next.
YES!!!!!! I am sooooo glad you liked it! It really isn't about glorifying a pedophile. I think some people think it is because HH is really good at seducing the reader in that first half. You know what he's doing is wrong, and yet do still sympathize in a way, and you feel really icky for that. But then that second half, Nabokov really turns it on its head and makes HH even more disgusting than if he'd been villified the whole time. I think having him in first person really helped to show just how repugnant he was.
ReplyDeleteI read this for the first time in 2000 or 2001, and didn't reread until near the end of 2010. When I reread, I did so on audio, read by Jeremy Irons, and it is absolutely the most amazing audiobook I've ever heard. Irons does a fantastic job, and because you're listening instead of reading, the language doesn't trip you up. I think the first time I read this book, at least a quarter of it went right past me without me seeing it, because I was so focused on the language. With the audiobook, I could focus better. I highly recommend it. I know people who hated the book on first read, and came to love it after listening to the audio.
The first half is so different. You don't really get the full picture of what Nabokov was doing unless you get the second half. I agree that the first person is so effective. HH doesn't even realize the extent to which what he's saying and doing is so repulsive so he reveals things that really make you shudder.
DeleteThe audio sounds amazing! I will definitely go that route when I'm ready to "read" it again. In my effort to follow the story line, I guarantee I missed so much. I'm sure It will be an even better experience the second time around.
Great review. I am almost at the stage when I am
ReplyDeleteReady to listen to it for my reread . I never did review my first read.
Thanks! It sounds like the audio of this one is pretty great.
DeleteI read this so long ago and I'm SURE I didn't fully appreciate it. I should read it again.
ReplyDeleteSo many people have recommended the audio done by Jeremy Irons. I wonder if you would enjoy that.
DeleteI second recommendation of the audio w/ Jeremy Irons. It's amazing...you can really get a feel for Nabokov's talent with words. I spent half the book mesmerized by HH's words (in Irons' voice) and the other half going EWW, EWW, EWW, when I'd suddenly remember what HH was all about.
ReplyDeleteI read the book on my first go around and wasn't that impressed because so much went over my head. But listening to it really made me appreciate it.
It is amazing how Nabokov's words can really make you forget how absolutely despicable HH is. I think the audio will help me enjoy the writing more. It's a bit of a struggle to follow it on the page.
DeleteIsn't this one fascinating? I thought I'd never read it, but so many people I trusted told me I should. I finally did and the writing was so amazing. I listened to the Jeremy Irons audiobook too and I can definitely recommend it. I've been meaning to read one of his books that isn't about a pedophile.
ReplyDeleteI'm interested to read more from Nabokov. I'm assuming his writing is incredible in his other books as well. It would be nice to experience it in another form as being in HH's mind is very uncomfortable at times.
DeleteAh, one of the classics. I would also highly recommend seeing the movie "Orphan" if you're into these kind of stories.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the movie recommendation. I'll have to check it out.
DeleteI haven't read it before, in part because I wasn't sure how detailed it got. Maybe one of these days I'll read it. I still haven't made up my mind.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised that it wasn't very detailed. The subject matter makes you uncomfortable, but I don't remember it being very graphic.
DeleteI'm really glad to see this post, Kristi. It's so hard to defend this book to people who are so set against reading it because of the subject matter. Especially as I can hear myself describing it and know how the book sounds. But the writing...
ReplyDeleteI would love to do a re-read of this one too one day but think I might opt for the audio version. I really struggled with the writing and I've heard wonderful things about Jeremy Irons' narration.
Wonderful post!!
Thanks Trish! I found myself not taking this one out in public when reading it. My daughter was sick and I took her to the doctor and I brought a different book to read. I think most people that haven't read it have the perception that it's trashy while it's not at all.
DeleteGo for the audio. Consensus is that it is amazing and that you'll get more out of the book. For me it will probably be easier to enjoy and understand the lyrical writing while listening rather than reading it myself.
I notice people always start off sort of apologizing for liking Lolita! Myself included. It's like we have to defend ourselves for liking it. But it is a brilliant book. I was blown away by it.
ReplyDeleteI know! It's kind of a weird thing. We shouldn't need to apologize, but I think (at least for me) we're apologizing based on people's perception of the book and not the actual content. It has an unfounded bad reputation. It's less graphic than much of the popular fiction out there.
DeleteIt is brilliant! A reread is definitely in my future. I'm glad you enjoyed it as well.