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A review by daisywilkes
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
challenging
dark
tense
fast-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
4.0
Lolita is told in the voice of a fictional memoir- Humbert speaks directly to the reader, becoming the author of his memoir about his sexual relationship with a minor. A child we never learn anything about other than her many names.
The story of a serial predator who grooms a young girl, abducts her, takes her on a cross country road trip, prevents her escape and abuses her at every turn.
This book is great in its intentionality - nothing here is an accident. The intention of Humbert Humbert is unfortunately not uncommon nor unusual and Nabokov uses Lolita to hold up a mirror to our society and what it ignores. It's terrible and unthinkable and appealing and it happens all the time.
"The book is ultimately not a portrait of a monster, but a portrait of a girl's annihilation." - Claire Dederer
The story of a serial predator who grooms a young girl, abducts her, takes her on a cross country road trip, prevents her escape and abuses her at every turn.
This book is great in its intentionality - nothing here is an accident. The intention of Humbert Humbert is unfortunately not uncommon nor unusual and Nabokov uses Lolita to hold up a mirror to our society and what it ignores. It's terrible and unthinkable and appealing and it happens all the time.
"The book is ultimately not a portrait of a monster, but a portrait of a girl's annihilation." - Claire Dederer
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Toxic relationship, Pedophilia, Adult/minor relationship, and Child abuse