NOVEL REVIEW: LOLITA BY VLADIMIR NABOKOV
Whew... I'm glad that I've finished reading a novel titled Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov. Erm... actually, I finished reading it last week. But last week I was too busy with other posts and works. So I'm going to share my review of this novel with you guys in today's post. Now let's begin with the author's bio...
ABOUT VLADIMIIR NABOKOV
Vladimir Nabokov is a Rusian-American novelist, poet, translator, and entomologist. He was born in Russia on the 22nd of April 1899. Nabokov wrote his first nine novels in the Russian language during the year 1926-1938. At that time he was staying in Berlin.
Nabokov achieved international acclaim after moving to America. He also started to write his works in English when he moved to America. In 1945, Nabokov became an American citizen. He stayed in America for 16 years. In 1961, Nabokov and his wife moved to Switzerland. They settled there. Nabokov died in Switzerland on the 2nd of July 1977.
Most of Nabokov's novels are listed as bestsellers and have won various writing awards. Besides Lolita, some Nabokov novels are Pale Fire, Ada, Speak, Memory, The Gift, The Defense, Pnin, The real Life Of Sebastian Knight, Invitation To A Beheading, and The Stories.
ABOUT LOLITA
Lolita is Nabokov's best novel. This novel was first published in 1955 and it is now listed as one of the best modern literature novels. Lolita tells the story of Humbert Humbert. Humbert is the protagonist and narrator of the story. Humbert is a 38 years old European professor who is obsessed with young girls (age 9 - 14). To Humbert, young girls age 9 to 14 are more attractive than mature women.
Humbert moves to America from Europe. He rents a room in a middle-size house. The house is own by a widow and single mother named Charlotte Haze. Charlotte has a 12-year-old daughter named Dolores. Dolores is not like any other 12-year-old child. She is mature-looking, seductive, and sexually attractive. Humbert falls in love with Dolores. To him, she's the perfect nymphet and reminds him of his first love, Annabel. Humbert nicknames Dolores as Lolita.
Humbert becomes more and more obsessed with Dolores as the plot evolves. He is willing to do everything just to be with her. When Dolores went to a summer camp, Humbert received a love letter from the landlady, Charlotte. Charlotte confesses to Humbert that she is in love with him. But at the same time, she knew that he is not in love with her. So Charlotte gives Humbert two choices. He is either to marry her or move out of the house immediately. Humbert doesn't want to be away from Dolores. So he decides to marry Charlotte even though he doesn't love her at all.
Later, Charlotte discovers Humbert's diary. In the diary, Humbert expresses his feelings for his stepdaughter, Dolores. Charlotte is shocked and disgusted. She decides to flee from the house with Dolores. Charlotte writes letters to her friends warning them about Humbert. Later, Charlotte is killed by a car while delivering the letters.
Humbert burns the letters and retrieves Dolores from the summer camp. He tells Dolores that her mother is ill and has been hospitalized. He takes Dolores to a high-end hotel and plans to rape her there. But Humbert changes his plans when he meets a mysterious man who seems to be aware of his plan for Dolores.
The next morning, Dolores reveals to Humbert that she is not a virgin anymore. Humbert is not happy with Dolores's confession. He sexually abuses Dolores and tells her that Charlotte is dead.
Is Humbert Humbert really in love? Or is he just insane and a pervert? Is Humbert Humbert a tortured soul or a monster? Or maybe he is all of this...
MY REVIEW OF LOLITA
First of all, I'm going to be honest here that I did not enjoy reading this novel. To me, Lolita is a very depressing and disturbing novel about a sick pedophile man. I'm glad that I've finished reading the novel, and I'm not sure if I want to repeat reading this novel in the future. Well, maybe not in these five years.
Plus, most characters in this novel are immoral people. Not just Humbert Humbert. Even Dolores herself is an immoral child. And this makes the story more and more disturbing.
However, I do see this novel as an interesting read. I did learn new things about mental health and pedophilia. I also learned some new words from reading this novel, such as nymphet. Nymphet refers to a teenage girl who is seductively attractive. Ooohhh... the word nymphet reminded me of those so-called beauty queens back in high school. Most of them look way mature than their age and were seductively attractive. Huhuhu...
Last but not least, I'm giving this novel a 7/10. And even though I did not enjoy reading Lolita, I still would like to recommend this novel to some of my fellow bookworms. This is because Lolita is listed as modern literature. So my fellow bookworms must not miss this book. I also believe that Lolita is a good novel to read if you guys want to learn about mental health and pedophilia. The author made the protagonist the narrator of the story. So you guys can feel and enter the mind of a pedophile person by reading Lolita. It is scary. But it is also interesting.
Before I end this review, let me be frank with you guys that this novel is not suitable for those who are underage (below 18). Sorry teenagers, but this novel is only for adults.
Ok, so this is my review of Lolita. Has anyone read Lolita? If yes, what are your opinions of this novel? Please feel free to share your opinions with me in the comment box below.
Ok, that's all for now. Thank you for reading this review. I'll see you guys again in my next post.
XoXo,
Fadima Mooneira ^_^
#Lolita #VladimirNabokov #ModernLiterature #NovelReview #BookReview #FadimaMooneiraLibrary #Edutainment #FadimaMooneiraDotCom
RELATED POSTS
%20(Facebook%20Post).png)
This sounds like such an interesting Novel. I’ve never heard of the author before but it all sounds great! Thank you so much for sharing lovely! Xo
ReplyDeleteElle - ellegracedeveson.com
You are welcome. And thank you for reading too.
DeleteI've not read this book but I've heard a lot about it from reading My Dark Vanessa (also a story about a teacher having a relationship with a student).
ReplyDeleteErr..... Thank you for sharing about Dark Vanessa. But i’m not going to read any fictions about pedophilia anymore. Lolita is just too depressing for me.
DeleteOh dear - I have tried reading Lolita numerous times with no success. It's just one of those novels I have really tried to finish but couldn't, probably down to the fact that it was weirding me out way more than I thought. So, kudos to you for finishing it, I commend you for that!
ReplyDeleteHehehe..... I almost decided to drop this book. Because the story was to depressing.
DeleteHmmm it's something I've read, but aware of it. I read My Dark Vanessa that was also disturbing and had a similar themes
ReplyDeleteOk....note to myself not to read My Dark Vanessa. Lolita is already too disturbing. However, thank you for sharing.
Deletewhat an interesting novel! thank you for sharing
ReplyDeletejessica | www.overdressedblogger.com
You’re welcome
DeleteI have never heard of or read this book before. It's a shame you didn't enjoy reading this book. Thank you for sharing
ReplyDeleteI find it too disturbing. It makes me feel depressed while reading it.
DeleteAkak belum berkesempatan baca Novel ni atau hasil penulisan penulis ini. Nanti akak cekidout. Nampak menarik. Sekarang tengah baca buku ilmiah. Ada lagi 3 chapter. Hehe.
ReplyDeleteWow..... Buku ilmiah? Apa tajuk nyer. Review lah sikit nanti. Hehehe.
DeleteNever read or heard about this book. But it seems very interesting book to read. Maybe ill find it later.
ReplyDelete👌👌👌👍👍👍
DeleteI've not heard of this author or the actual book itself but I found your review very interesting. It must be difficult to keep reading a book when you're not enjoying it, but I appreciate that you did. I'm not sure it would be my taste either, I much prefer the light hearted reads.
ReplyDeleteSame here. I love light and heartwarming stories too. And since this year, i’m more into the historical romance genre.
Deleteakak belum pernah baca novel ni, tapi jalan cerita tu agak tak seronok untuk dibaca sebab tak suka dengan karakter pedophile man tu, harapnya jadi pengajaran untuk yang membaca
ReplyDeleteHa’ah... Memang jadik pengajaran pun. Dapat tahu jiwa meracau org pedophile.
DeleteI read Lolita a few years ago & I didn't enjoy it either. It was very sick and twisted and I couldn't finish it. Very strange that it's as popular as it is.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the review !
Yeah... I wonder why this novel is so popular. In fact, it even won an award and listed as a modern day literature. Maybe because the author made the protagonist the narrator. And he portray his disturb personality clear to readers. Umm.....
DeleteI've read this book before, and I think it is one of those books that everyone has an opinion on. It is a very difficult book to read in parts!
ReplyDeleteI second everything you said.
DeleteBelum pernah baca lagi novel ni tapi untuk bacaan anak sis 17 tahun macam tak sesuai pulak....anak sis suka sangat baca novel.
ReplyDeleteYeah, memang x sesuai langsung utk budak bawah umur. Your daughter suka genre macam mana? I would suggest you to get her Jenny Han’s novels.
DeleteYour thoughts about Lolita are exactly the reason I don't want to try it- although I am intrigued. Thanks for sharing x
ReplyDeleteHehehe 😆😆😆
DeleteThis book has been on my radar for years. It's one of those books I feel I ought to read but I really don't want to, because of the subject matter. I know it's good to experience different genres and to gain insights in the minds of others, but for me this is probably a step too far. Really good review, though, Fadima, and thank you for reading and sharing it so I don't have to! x
ReplyDeleteAuwww.... My review is my opinion. Who knows you might have a different opinion after reading it.
DeleteSejujurnya dah agak lama tak baca novel. Sekarang lebih pada buku ilmiah. Faktor usia barangkali. Anyway suka muka depan buku, jalan penceritaan nya dari your review .
ReplyDeleteUmm..... I see. Pada saya buku x ada kena ngena dgn faktor usia. Yg penting kena check the triggered warnings. Hehehe.
Deletekisah berat ni.. sebab melibatkan kes pedo... mesti banyak main dengan emosi
ReplyDeleteIya! Dan Sgt menakutkan.
DeleteI've actually always wanted to read this book! I went into a book shop once and asked if they had it, but they didnt!
ReplyDeleteCorinne x
Maybe you can check it again. But be strong. This novel is so disturbing.
DeleteWow 1st Lolita publish in 1955? Marsha pun belum ada masa tu. Macam menariklah novel Lolita ni. Nak cuba cari dan baca.
ReplyDeleteHehehe.....my parents pun x lahir lagi masa tu dear.
DeletePernah dengar nama Lolita ni.. Tapi tak ingt kat mana. Kalau you sendiri tak enjoy sebab cerita diadepress or what ya.. Nad lama tak baca buku macam ni
ReplyDeleteLolita doll fashion kot. Hehehe.
DeleteReading your review I guess I wont be reading this book because pedophilia is really depressing issue for me. Haha.. Anyway its a good for awareness right.
ReplyDeleteYeah, good for awareness. But not for entertainment.
DeleteFirst time tau nama penulisnya dan bukunya ni haaa.. maybe sebab Sis lama dah tak membaca dan mencari buku.. rindu nak masuk kedai buku.. thanks for sharing Fadima..
ReplyDeleteYou’re welcome
DeleteCover novel ni so cutie cute but the storyline is so heavy ya! Interesting story I would say based on what I have read in this posting.. (Y)
ReplyDeleteHa’ah..... Cover dia come Sgt. Tapi cerita dia x langsung.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIsu yang sensetif dan perlu diambil perhatian daripada orang yang membacanya jangan pandang kecil issue ini. Satu penulisan yang penuh ilmiah dan berguna. .. walaupun saya bukan peminat novel...
ReplyDelete👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
DeleteOh my. That is one 'heavy' novel to read. This will not be my cup of tea as I am more into spy and thriller novels.
ReplyDeleteIf you like spy thrillers, you can handle this kinda story. Lain la I yg suka romance novels NIe. Hehehe.
DeleteI haven’t heard of this before. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and your review.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome
DeleteI've heard of this book before, but these kind of reads aren't really my cup of tea. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and opinions on it :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading.
DeleteWooo. Cerita dia memang agak disturbing jugak la. Macam lebih sesuai untuk bacaan orang dewasa instead of teenager and I pun baru tau that word nymphet jgk. Nice sharing!
ReplyDeleteHa’ah.....memang x sesuai utk remaja under 18 🔞
DeleteThanks for sharing this Lolita book review, i also learn something new about pedophilia.
ReplyDeleteYou’re welcome my dear. Thank you for reading this review.
DeleteWhen I was in college, I took a course on Censorship and the Media and this book was part of our study. It was censored in many areas due to the content and the fact that it addressed taboo topics. To study it, obviously, we had to read it and I'll be honest... it was hard to get through many parts of the book simply because I found it all disturbing. However, the content itself aside, I will admit that Vladimir Nabokov has an incredible grasp of the English language and I can see why he has such respect in the literary community despite the content that he chose to address.
ReplyDeleteGood sharing, Brit. Thank you.
DeleteI haven't read Lolita, but I've heard of it before. Even though it is supposed to be one of the best modern literature novels, I'm going to have to pass because it does sound very disturbing & difficult to read.
ReplyDeleteSo true. I second everything you said. It was a difficult book to read and enjoy.
Delete