tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post4941544179591232329..comments2024-03-24T13:45:25.132-05:00Comments on Bookfoolery : Lolita by Vladimir NabokovBookfoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08247136634069540446noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-19112958065312564172016-01-27T18:24:08.468-06:002016-01-27T18:24:08.468-06:00Yep, I love-hated it, too. I think if it hadn'...Yep, I love-hated it, too. I think if it hadn't been so beautifully written, I would have whacked off a couple of points for the creepy factor. HH is the kind of character you know you'll never forget because he's such a nightmare. Jeremy Irons has a wonderful voice. I'm not surprised he was a good narrator. I'm pretty sure I'll never watch the movie, now that I've read the book. Bookfoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08247136634069540446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-59038709833149595752016-01-27T18:20:49.667-06:002016-01-27T18:20:49.667-06:00Yes, I think it really is difficult to shut off th...Yes, I think it really is difficult to shut off the discomfort and just analyze the writing, itself. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that it's typical *not* to. We tend to want to relate to characters, not be repelled by them, so we downgrade a reading experience with yucky characters. That's what makes Lolita so worthy of attention: it's such an unusual combination of horrifying and brilliant. I haven't seen the movie and I'm pretty sure I don't want to, but I am an occasional rereader so I can visualize myself someday reading the annotated version. Bookfoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08247136634069540446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-67581496368372727412016-01-27T18:14:05.722-06:002016-01-27T18:14:05.722-06:00It must be that combination of beautiful/repellent...It must be that combination of beautiful/repellent writing that makes everyone want to talk about it, you think? Thanks, Andiloo!Bookfoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08247136634069540446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-65096908271984302732016-01-27T14:28:33.903-06:002016-01-27T14:28:33.903-06:00Well said, Nancy. I loved this book on one hand. T...Well said, Nancy. I loved this book on one hand. The writing is gorgeous. And I hated it on the other. Humbert Humbert is such a despicable and disgusting character. I ended up listening to the audio version because I really wanted to read it and wasn't sure I would get through the written version. I may read it yet, but I do feel Jeremy Irons did a wonderful job as narrator. I have yet to see any of the movie versions. I don't know if I want to. Literary Felinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13079276242303738719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-68739581162222166772016-01-27T14:11:32.199-06:002016-01-27T14:11:32.199-06:00It is so hard to judge a literary work on its meri...It is so hard to judge a literary work on its merits when the subject is difficult and makes one feel all the yucky 'feels'. And sometimes we don't notice we are on that balancing act. I say that someday I would like to read the annotated version of Lolita or even try the audiobook, but I wonder if I ever will for more reasons than the fact that I hardly reread the ones I really love. I did watch the movie right after reading it, though. And what's weird is that I only remember Shelley Winters.Carehttp://bkclubcare.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-55418116714837200182016-01-27T12:54:26.287-06:002016-01-27T12:54:26.287-06:00Same boat, me and you. I've never read a book ...Same boat, me and you. I've never read a book with such mixed amounts of brilliance and ickiness. Great review, Nancy!Andihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05220718933942181809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-36782164454922586992016-01-27T10:52:48.664-06:002016-01-27T10:52:48.664-06:00Thanks, Marie. I agree on all counts. Clearly, it&...Thanks, Marie. I agree on all counts. Clearly, it's a book that leaves strong impressions. Bookfoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08247136634069540446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-23983555294685974832016-01-27T07:54:24.229-06:002016-01-27T07:54:24.229-06:00Great review. It's a tough book but a rewardin...Great review. It's a tough book but a rewarding one. I haven't read it in a long time but its language is so beautiful, and so horrifying, that it's impossible to ignore.Marie Cloutierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14938166831865436287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-5458146098594086412016-01-26T14:15:10.083-06:002016-01-26T14:15:10.083-06:00It is indeed. I wouldn't rank it a favorite be...It is indeed. I wouldn't rank it a favorite because I dislike being creeped out, but I wouldn't mind rereading the annotated version, some day. I think any writer could learn a great deal from studying Lolita.Bookfoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08247136634069540446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-34501096523975331502016-01-26T14:11:10.427-06:002016-01-26T14:11:10.427-06:00I have boys but I still had trouble with it. If he...I have boys but I still had trouble with it. If he'd told the story in 3rd person rather than having Humbert tell his own story, it might have been more tolerable. But, I think it probably has greater impact because of that choice, tough as it is to get through. I can imagine that it's doubly hard to read if you have girls. I think I set it aside for about a week, maybe a bit less, just to have some time off. Amazing how such he managed to make the book both a miserable and impressive read. Nabokov blows my mind. Bookfoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08247136634069540446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-30496854344984502272016-01-26T14:05:56.460-06:002016-01-26T14:05:56.460-06:00This is one of my very favorite books even though ...This is one of my very favorite books even though it is creepy as hell. Just so, so wonderfully written.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-68275718778880496512016-01-26T13:39:34.608-06:002016-01-26T13:39:34.608-06:00Oh, yes, I fully identify with your verdict on Lol...Oh, yes, I fully identify with your verdict on Lolita. I circled it for the longest time, picked it up twice and abandoned it, before eventually settling down to read it. My daughter was around the character's age when I was attempting to get through the book, which is probably why I had so much trouble. Once I got past the premise, though, NABOKOV! Yes, it's a masterpiece but one that's uncomfortable, putting it very mildly!Lisa Guidarinihttp://bluestalkingjournal.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com