Lolita

Back of the Book

Awe and exhilaration—along with heartbreak and mordant wit—abound in Lolita, which tells the story of the aging Humbert Humbert's obsession for the nymphet Dolores Haze. Lolita is also the story of a hypercivilized European colliding with the cheerful barbarism of postwar America.

Most of all, it is a meditation on love—love as outrage and hallucination, madness and transformation.

Why You Should Read It

Lolita is a provocative and stylistically dazzling exploration of obsession and moral ambiguity. What makes the novel compelling is Nabokov's mastery of language and his ability to shape a narrative that engages readers on multiple levels. The novel's narrator, Humbert Humbert, invites readers into a morally complex and psychologically rich world, challenging them to grapple with uncomfortable truths. Nabokov's prose, marked by wit and linguistic virtuosity, adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, making Lolita a literary experience that captivates with its audacity and narrative brilliance. For those interested in delving into a morally ambiguous and intellectually stimulating exploration of desire and taboo, "Lolita" remains a compelling and thought-provoking read.

Memorable Passage

Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins. My sin, my soul. Lo-lee-ta: the tip of the tongue taking a trip of three steps down the palate to tap, at three, on the teeth. Lo. Lee. Ta. She was Lo, plain Lo, in the morning, standing four feet ten in one sock. She was Lola in slacks. She was Dolly at school. She was Dolores on the dotted line. But in my arms she was always Lolita. Did she have a precursor? She did, indeed she did. In point of fact, there might have been no Lolita at all had I not loved, one summer, an initial girl-child. In a princedom by the sea. Oh when? About as many years before Lolita was born as my age was that summer. You can always count on a murderer for a fancy prose style. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, exhibit number one is what the seraphs, the misinformed, simple, noble-winged seraphs, envied. Look at this tangle of thorns.

About the Author

Vladimir Nabokov, born in St. Petersburg in 1899, was a Russian-American novelist, lepidopterist, and literary critic whose multifaceted contributions make him a figure of lasting interest. Nabokov's intricate and imaginative storytelling, showcased in works like Lolita, Pale Fire, and Speak, Memory, reflects his keen intellect and linguistic prowess. His ability to infuse narrative with layers of meaning, intricate wordplay, and a distinctive narrative voice sets him apart as a master craftsman. Beyond his literary achievements, Nabokov's passion for entomology, particularly his expertise in butterflies, adds a unique dimension to his legacy. Whether exploring the complexities of human obsession or the intricacies of the natural world, Nabokov remains a fascinating figure for those interested in the intersections of art, science, and the human experience.

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Fiona Alison Duncan