SuBC- Read a Classic: Lolita (NS)

muzikgrrl · August 2014

So to say that this book is controversial is an understatement. I picked this book for the task because I decided I would pick the first book on the list I hasn't read. It's not exactly one of those books that I would read on my own due to the subject matter. I listened to the book, it was read by Jeremy Irons and I think that made all the difference. The way he brings the writing to life was one of the things keeping me reading, since the narrator is such a despicable excuse for a human.

The other thing that kept me listening was the writing. Yes it is about a terrible subject but the way Vladimir Nabokov writes is excellent. I found out after reading the book that English was his fourth language. That was just amazing to me. It's an interesting juxtaposition of the writing with the awful subject matter.

Adjudi-Kate · August 2014

Right? Terrible subject, but the writing is so genius! I was like, "I think I like this book about a pedophile." And then I felt dirty. And then I had to go back and re-read of couple of pages because the prose was so captivating!

SusieBW · August 2014

This is one of my favorite books of all time, as messed up as that sounds, but like you said, it's because the writing is so, so beautiful. I also confess to having a thing for slightly twisted books in the first place. But Nabokov can write the hell out of a book. I also listened to the audiobook, and I loved that I did because it brought so much attention to Nabokov's use of alliteration. Some of the word choices that he uses make me want to curl up in the language and roll around in it. I've since read one or two of his other books, and felt the same way. And yeah, that English is was like, his third or fourth language only speaks further to his complete and utter genius.

Obviously the subject matter of this book is completely fucked, but I thought Irons did a fantastic job with the delivery and really getting to you see Humbert's insanity. Which is also really messed up - being inside that guy's head.

muzikgrrl · August 2014

Adjudi-Kate said:

I was like, "I think I like this book about a pedophile." And then I felt dirty.

This is exactly what I felt like. @SusieBW I had to keep my windows rolled up while I was listening this so that no one would hear Jeremy Irons pining after a nymphette.

sweetrhythms · August 2014

Couldn't agree more about Jeremy Irons. That's how I experienced the book and man, it was GOOD (which really does feel weird to say given the subject matter!)

pinkybooklover09 · August 2014

I've never read this book due to the subject matter. I do enjoy beautiful writing so I might have to give it a try sometime.

dmlk413 · August 2014

This post makes me think that I need to go back and read this book again because I hated it...but I have an aversion to Nabokov in general so maybe that was my problem.

SusieBW · August 2014

pinkybooklover09 said:

I've never read this book due to the subject matter. I do enjoy beautiful writing so I might have to give it a try sometime.

You could always try one of his other books if you want to get a feel for the writing without getting into the subject matter of Lolita.

SuBC- Read a Classic: Lolita (NS)

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