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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
I almost stopped reading this book right from the beginning, I was so disturbed by the narrators thoughts. I immediately looked up the author to see how he could possibly write this, how could he think this way unless he himself was a paedophile.... The author thankfully wasn't, but people in his family were pretty messed up and there was a case that he became interested in that is much like this book... So, knowing he wasn't himself a paedophile, I continued on and I soon became curious... I find all the workings of the mind very interesting. This Humbert Humbert was the narrator, he was the paedophile and his mind twisted and miss read this poor little girl and her actions. As you read his perspective, you get hints and clues here and there of how this innocent child was feeling. The wrongful events that happen throughout the story are off page which help. What does bother me though is how this book's discription says it's a love story, and even some reviews think it as well... In no way is this a love story and in no way is "love" what the author intended it to be.
However, having my own opinions on the situations that happened in this book and reading others taking the complete opposite view really shows the divide we have in sexual assault and who is to blame, he raped her, who seduced who and does that even matter... It all is so very interesting to me how so many people can read the same story but come out with different opinions and points of view, or even a completely different story. I read it and thought how so many 12 year olds are curious or try to act so grown up but it's our jobs as adults to protect them. It was his job to protect her. He didn't love her, he loved that she was 12 and in his reach. That is all.
The writing was wonderful, and even though there were so many words I didn't know and as I read it I wished many times that I knew French, I still found myself wanting to read more.
However, having my own opinions on the situations that happened in this book and reading others taking the complete opposite view really shows the divide we have in sexual assault and who is to blame, he raped her, who seduced who and does that even matter... It all is so very interesting to me how so many people can read the same story but come out with different opinions and points of view, or even a completely different story. I read it and thought how so many 12 year olds are curious or try to act so grown up but it's our jobs as adults to protect them. It was his job to protect her. He didn't love her, he loved that she was 12 and in his reach. That is all.
The writing was wonderful, and even though there were so many words I didn't know and as I read it I wished many times that I knew French, I still found myself wanting to read more.
After mulling it over... I had to settle on giving this piece a 3 maybe in my mind a 3.5. While it was clever, while I could read between the lines and mock Humbert Humbert, scoffing here and there at his arrogance and condescending dimeanor... While the ending did give me a bit of what I needed... it was an ugly ride. I would be lying if I said I enjoyed this read.
On a light note: it was too...scattered with really dense passages describing their daily activities that for the most part weren't important in the details. When more plot driven passages occurred I was hyper focused but it lasted much less time than the very drawn out pieces.
On a dark note: I didn't want to be lame and say this was hard for me to read. But it was hard for me to read. Academically? Maybe here or there... but emotionally... very. Being a victim of someone of a similar breed to HH I felt nauseated so often. I would get angry and have to whine out loud. I hated HH with all of my being. Usually I would say this makes for a great piece because it made me emotional. However, if I truly analyze my time over the bulk of the 3 days and nights I read through this novel, I didn't enjoy it. I didn't enjoy hating him. I am perfectly able to admit maybe my personal bias of my past got in the way.
Notice I still gave it a mediocre score. I just feel going in I had expected to give it something higher and have a new classic I could wave around. Instead I feel dirty, embarrassed and too self reflective.
May a finer scholar than I cling to it's pages
On a light note: it was too...scattered with really dense passages describing their daily activities that for the most part weren't important in the details. When more plot driven passages occurred I was hyper focused but it lasted much less time than the very drawn out pieces.
On a dark note: I didn't want to be lame and say this was hard for me to read. But it was hard for me to read. Academically? Maybe here or there... but emotionally... very. Being a victim of someone of a similar breed to HH I felt nauseated so often. I would get angry and have to whine out loud. I hated HH with all of my being. Usually I would say this makes for a great piece because it made me emotional. However, if I truly analyze my time over the bulk of the 3 days and nights I read through this novel, I didn't enjoy it. I didn't enjoy hating him. I am perfectly able to admit maybe my personal bias of my past got in the way.
Notice I still gave it a mediocre score. I just feel going in I had expected to give it something higher and have a new classic I could wave around. Instead I feel dirty, embarrassed and too self reflective.
May a finer scholar than I cling to it's pages
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Went in with no expectations except of the grotesque theme of pedophilia, came out flabbergasted at the extent to which this book was immersive and the prose dense and simply beautiful. Above all though, I was surprised at how funny this was, hilarious at times, especially the narrator‘s self-awareness and also his self-unawareness, reframing the obviously tragic topic in a way that leaves no room for debate on the morality of the character and his actions - his proclaimed love for a 12-year old is simply ridiculous. I really enjoyed this book, to my own surprise, for the wittily crafted piece of art that it is as well as for its sharp commentary on the sexualization of (underage!!!) girls. Only the second part felt, to me, a little long-winded at times, but I don’t doubt that there was intention behind that, too.
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I've heard good things about this book, but I really disliked it. I know you're meant to dislike it... the narrator we are meant to hate, but even the writing and story I found unpleasant to read. I dnf'd this book three years ago, and now I know I never should have tried to read it again. But still, it is always nice to read a bad book as it makes the good ones even better :)
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Mental illness, Sexual content
it was interesting and clever and gross and im really stuck on my opinion of this book but i am glad it was written
Extremely good book about a horrible sicko. It felt impossible to enjoy during the first half because I felt so uncomfortable but as the characters developed I was able to appreciate Nabakovs writing and its beauty, abstracted away from the challenging subject matter. Im so excited to read something else by Nabakov because if he could make me enjoy this book a book not about a pedophile has to be awesome
It's not so much the content, but perhaps the way it is written. Obviously the narrator is supposed to come off as incredibly pretentious, but it did get a little tiresome after a while. A lot of it seemed repetitive.
It held my interest for a while, and although the writer is talented with words, I found myself losing interesting about two-thirds of the way in.
It held my interest for a while, and although the writer is talented with words, I found myself losing interesting about two-thirds of the way in.
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Another often banned book. Deals with some uncomfortable themes so may not be for everybody.