Reviews - Lolita | The StoryGraph

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14k reviews for:

Lolita

Vladimir Nabokov

3.79 AVERAGE

clarabi's review against another edition

3.75

challenging reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

aki_'s review against another edition

4.0

dark emotional 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

Honestly, it's really tough to describe this book. Lolita is the most ironic book I have ever read. Right from the beginning it already introduce us to a painstaking portrait of horror through an elaborate confession from an inmate. The foreword warned us that what we're about to read was something that can be pivotal in the field psychiatry, psychology, and others especially in understanding how the minds of perpetrators work. That itself was enough to paint the horrific and unsettling subject this book would offer. What I did not expect was how well written and captivating the prose of this books was. It was absolutely sharp with beautifully put together methapors. The author has a remarkable way with words making narrative stands out, it's absolutely striking, while still maintaining the disturbing atmosphere and content It was really beautiful and poetic to read but at the same time it was so disgusting and uncomfortable. The whole experience, as I'd like to describe it was pure poetic manipulation and gaslighting. Humbert wasn't just trying to justify his action by convincing himself, his victims, and people around him; he was also connecting to readers, to us, yearning for sympathy and hoping to be understood (which is a big no of course). He was one of the most well creafted unreliable narrators I have ever encountered and it's really scary when people starts to believe their own lies; it becomes their version of truth despite how twisted it was.

There are parts where I dozed off, felt uninterested with the constant rumbling, justifications, lies, and deceptions. But it really paid off towards the end if Part 2, I liked how everything turns out. The well panned out and gradual shift of narrative was well executed. It's tough to describe without spoilers, but I'd like to think that even for a shortwhile Dolly managed to find her right footing and is leaning towards peace and starting anew, it was just so bittersweet. Most importantly is that all the predators here went to where they belong, tho not in the way I wanted so somehow I wish they had suffered more.

mustangmoe's review against another edition

4.0

Beautifully written. Taboo subject. Fabulous narration. I feel like I missed a lot though... I would like to physically read this book in the future.

emi__mz's review against another edition

4.0

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

j_wilinska's review against another edition

4.0

challenging dark emotional reflective 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

tarahann's review against another edition

5.0

It took me three reads to really come to this novel, or allow it to come to me, in full force. And, like many others, it took a group of students to help me get there. This novel is overwhelmingly compelling and sincere. It is real in a way very few other novels are, and yes, it's about an old man and a girl, move on. The prose are so lyrical, the story seems to effortlessly roll off your tongue like Lo-li-ta.