I just put down Lolita after gathering up the courage to finally read it. I’ve noticed that most of the discussion surrounding the book is focused on the plot in itself and not on the actually piece of literature that Nabokov produced.
I’m an avid reader, so this was a really interesting experience to me. Especially the tragical/comical play it ends up truly embodying at the end of the book. The figure of Quilty and his stark similarity with Humbert; his messy death; this ironic sudden guilt and revolt at “stealing childhood” from lolita; and ultimately her death during labour. Nakobov fills this book with play on words and sounds (Quilty as in Guilty;Cue who gives Clues and even Humber Humbert), theatrical metaphors and imagery.
Despite either people enjoyed the plot or not, it’s impossible to ignore the way Nabokov masterfully toys and works with multiple literary contexts; and how he manipulates beautifully a language that is not his native one.
Absolutely brilliant. Incredibly satirical and yet profound.
by bunnyju194