Reviews with content warning for Adult/minor relationship - Lolita

Reviews tagging 'Adult/minor relationship'

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

606 reviews

ashschultheiss's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH: 60%

Content Warnings

fueledbyfercho's review against another edition

3.0

dark sad tense medium-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

A book that feels weird as the plot gets. We see a guy's obssession with a girl and the extent of how this sickness can be perpetuated.

This is an uncomfortable reading and if you don't end up questioning why some people may find this normal, you may have to give it a re-read

Content Warnings

racooninurtrash's review against another edition

4.0

challenging dark funny slow-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

what an incredible book. saying this feels both obvious and controversial.
i went into it somewhat apprehensively, wondering if i was going to be reading 300 pages of disgusting sexual fantasy. but that’s not what lolita is at all and i doubt that anyone who thinks it is, actually read the novel.

the book is written in an autobiographical style which gives main character humbert humbert ample opportunity to paint himself as pathetic, help- and powerless; a tragic hero and poetical romantic of sorts. however, he never actually succeeds in making the reader believe in this version of him. as a reader i was — as is to be expected — utterly disgusted by him; his attempts to victimise himself (by villainising dolores as a cunning and evil “nymphet”) are thoroughly transparent and only further intensified my revulsion.

while “lolita” obviously deals with very heavy subject matter, it is also quite funny at times and nabokov uses language in very subversive and surprising ways, utilising unexpected turns of phrase and incorporating french, german and latin at multiple points. additionally, the novel contains an abundance of literary and cultural references that give the text a very layered feel and make the reading experience all the more interesting.

nabokov’s author’s note “on a book entitled lolita” provides context, that further heightened my appreciation of the book, specifically the short passage on the “rules” of pornographic literature (and on why “lolita” isn’t a “lewd”/pornographic novel).

overall, it’s obvious why this is considered a modern classic and i can’t wait to indulge in more of nabokov’s works.

Content Warnings

seth5678's review against another edition

4.5

challenging dark 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

Content Warnings

reyna_ayala's review against another edition

1.0

dark 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: Complicated

amid the epstein headlines, i guess this book made sense to read. i didn’t expect to be impressed, i just wanted to read it to understand cultural references (and be able to complain about the novel with authority). turns out i was right— i wasn’t impressed. not only is the plot perverse (even under the most generous of assumptions toward self-awareness of the novel, the sympathizing with and romanticization of humbert is sickening), but the writing is hardly clever. i struggle to find any redeeming qualities to this book, leaving me mystified and disgusted at its glowing reviews and lasting legacy.

Content Warnings

krae_'s review against another edition

4.0

dark tense

This book is beautifully written and the story captivates from begining to end. It makes your skin crawl and you stomach turn but you just can't put it down.

Content Warnings