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djdimond's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, and Sexual assault
ettan's review against another edition
The way the book is written was interesting and at times beautiful. Challenging read both in terms of language and content. I couldn't finish it because of the dark themes, it made me uncomfortable and very sad. "How reliable is the narrator" was one of my main thoughts when reading it. At times the main protagonist could go on about his interpretation of events for multiple pages and just briefly mention something terrible or how the victim reacted "according to him".
I do not wish to continue it, but do not regret giving it a try.
I made a google doc of quotes that made my stomach turn, 2 from over 10 pages worth;
"-adorable pubescent pet..."
"-I often felt we lived in a lighted house of glass, and any moment some thin-lipped parchment face would peer through a carelessly unshaded window to obtain a free glimpse of things that the most jaded voyeur would have paid a small fortune to watch..."
I do not wish to continue it, but do not regret giving it a try.
I made a google doc of quotes that made my stomach turn, 2 from over 10 pages worth;
"-I often felt we lived in a lighted house of glass, and any moment some thin-lipped parchment face would peer through a carelessly unshaded window to obtain a free glimpse of things that the most jaded voyeur would have paid a small fortune to watch..."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual content, and Stalking
ferris_wheel's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
After a month or so of this book weighing heavy on my mind, I completed it with tears. A painful memoir of a charismatic, lying pedophile. To be swayed by the words of Humbert Humbert because as a reader you do not know what really happened. The eyes of Humbert are evil and therefore project evil. The sadness I felt once finishing the book was for Dolores. She’s not real, but her story is real for many children.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Child abuse, Misogyny, Adult/minor relationship, Incest, Rape, and Sexual assault
Minor: Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Medical content
ranflanflana91's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Pedophilia, Toxic relationship, and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Car accident
fabianu's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Dear reader, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, please don’t look down upon H.H’s actions against Dolores. For a lepidopterist will take a beautiful creature and pin it to a wall to observe its beauty but taking away its life creating nothing more than an object. H.H. sees no difference from his Dolly to a scientists butterfly. (I am not defending H.H. In any way shape or form just making light in the community of such a depraved book). I absolutely loved how lyrical this book is narrated however, I will forever praise Nabokov’s writing. And I only wish the general public understood this book when released back in the 50’s. It’s a serious book that deals with serious matters and yet no matter how much Nabokov plead to get his readers to understand his book. He was forever misunderstood as they thought he was H.H. My only wish is that this book did not-and still is- perverted and normalized with a minor or adults acting like a child. However, the way the public took this book does not under any circumstance ruin my “enjoyment” of this masterpiece. I understand what Nabokov was writing about and I will never defend H.H.’s actions. Only condemn. (This was fun to write, read the book if you’re curious and if you’ve already read it maybe read it again?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Pedophilia, and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Death of parent and Murder
tasha98's review against another edition
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, and Pedophilia
ashareads's review against another edition
challenging
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, Medical trauma, Sexual content, Abandonment, Death of parent, Adult/minor relationship, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Sexual assault, and Pregnancy
lisvxdro's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I will admit that I had some trouble getting through this not because of the subject matter, but by my lack of focus. Nabokov’s writing is descriptive, delicate, tongue-in-cheek, and funny at some points. One misread and the next few sentence (even words) become confusing. That is to say that you must pay attention, which I had trouble with. Not because of his writing, but of my own focus. I will need to re-read this at a later time with more focus.
This book is considered by many one of the greatest pieces of modern literature. Im failing to understand why or how it’s celebrated. Is it due to the psychological deep dive of Humbert Humbert and his way with words or the portrayal of such a topic that is now obviously incredibly repulsive. I was hesitant to give it 4-stars for my first read but I feel like it’s mainly due to my understanding.
This book is considered by many one of the greatest pieces of modern literature. Im failing to understand why or how it’s celebrated. Is it due to the psychological deep dive of Humbert Humbert and his way with words or the portrayal of such a topic that is now obviously incredibly repulsive. I was hesitant to give it 4-stars for my first read but I feel like it’s mainly due to my understanding.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Incest, Pedophilia, and Rape
liathibault's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-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
3.75
completely and absolutely horrifying to read, yet a work of literary genius. if you’re uncomfortable reading this, you should be.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking, Adult/minor relationship, Incest, Pregnancy, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Gaslighting, and Death of parent
am3liaq's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
an intense read with an unreliable narration of a very gruesome situation. The fact that linguistically it is very beautiful lures you into the trap of forgetting its sinister story, making you feel sick with yourself. overall very emotional but stunning book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Pedophilia
Moderate: Rape