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Georgia Scott's Reviews > Lolita
Lolita
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I've thought for many years, people got this book wrong. It's not about a middle-aged man in love with a prepubescent girl. It's not about that at all.
Two things tell me this. The first is less obvious than the second. Humbert trills her name. Lola. Lolita. Or just Lo. In all its variations, it mirrors another name. United States of America. America. USA. Or just US.
The other clue is the road trip. Its importance to the plot is slim. Nabokov gives it little drama invoking instead the tedium of the drive, moods of a child, and banality of motel rooms. This is America. Not the Hollywood image. Drive it, if you haven't. Just once.
To the European born Humbert, America is the Lolita. America with its youth and innocence is the dream. Untainted by the wars and royalty of Europe, America is the pure child. Humbert (read Nabokov) the emigre in exile cannot help but love her. In this, Lolita is the great American novel.
Two things tell me this. The first is less obvious than the second. Humbert trills her name. Lola. Lolita. Or just Lo. In all its variations, it mirrors another name. United States of America. America. USA. Or just US.
The other clue is the road trip. Its importance to the plot is slim. Nabokov gives it little drama invoking instead the tedium of the drive, moods of a child, and banality of motel rooms. This is America. Not the Hollywood image. Drive it, if you haven't. Just once.
To the European born Humbert, America is the Lolita. America with its youth and innocence is the dream. Untainted by the wars and royalty of Europe, America is the pure child. Humbert (read Nabokov) the emigre in exile cannot help but love her. In this, Lolita is the great American novel.
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April 17, 2022
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Petergiaquinta
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rated it 5 stars
Jun 05, 2022 06:25AM
Nabokov always claimed this reading of his novel was presumptuous and utterly inaccurate, but I’ve always claimed you can’t trust anything at all that Nabokov says about his own books!
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Petergiaquinta wrote: "Nabokov always claimed this reading of his novel was presumptuous and utterly inaccurate, but I’ve always claimed you can’t trust anything at all that Nabokov says about his own books!"Sometimes, to be honest, we as writers don't always know. That's part of the thrill when a book goes into the hands of readers.
It's my favourite book. First I fell in love with its Russian version and then I was fascinated by the original in English. It's always been a mystery to me. How could one use such sophisticated language to describe such utter atrocities. But I can't but fall victim to its beauty.
Da, but Humbert Humbert soon discovers that Lolita is too Americanized, even for America, to be possessed by him. LOLITA in many ways is a Henry James novel in reverse.
This story was actually based on the true story of the 11-year-old Sally Horner kidnapping story. Newspaper clippings were found amongst Vladimir Nabokov’s belongings, so he was following the story. It was so well written that I actually looked the author up to see if he was a pervert and really sitting in prison.
Александра wrote: "It's my favourite book. First I fell in love with its Russian version and then I was fascinated by the original in English. It's always been a mystery to me. How could one use such sophisticated la..."I wonder sometimes if the beauty is just in our eyes. Do you also reread some sentences in books when their beauty won't let you go?
Julio wrote: "Da, but Humbert Humbert soon discovers that Lolita is too Americanized, even for America, to be possessed by him. LOLITA in many ways is a Henry James novel in reverse."Julio, I think you just started a new category for ŷ - Henry James Novels in Reverse. That one will stay with me.
Missy wrote: "This story was actually based on the true story of the 11-year-old Sally Horner kidnapping story. Newspaper clippings were found amongst Vladimir Nabokov’s belongings, so he was following the story..."That's interesting, Missy. Beloved by Toni Morrison was also inspired by an actual case and press cutting. Where we go with our inspiration is the exciting part of writing. My last book and current one I could not have predicted. There are writers who have it plotted out but not all. Not particularly in literary fiction.
A very fine and thoughtful review. I read the book ages ago, like 40, and loved it but it is one I really want to reread, even more so after your insight.
Liam wrote: "A very fine and thoughtful review. I read the book ages ago, like 40, and loved it but it is one I really want to reread, even more so after your insight."Some thoughts, Liam. I once had to share a room with another writer at a festival. She said she'd been in prison (for political reasons) and made a good roommate. She also wrote convincingly from a murderer's point of view. She was, to the best of my knowledge, no murderer. I think of her, regarding Nabokov.
Yes, I do reread some sentences and write them down or highlight and save if I use Kindle.
Александра wrote: "Yes, I do reread some sentences and write them down or highlight and save if I use Kindle."For me, it's pencil in margins and on slips of paper that I use as bookmarks. That way, I can always return and read them again. It's like the scent of someone which, when I remember, takes me back to a place and time.
I haven't read Lolita, though it's been on my TBR for years. I always find myself avoiding it. However this perspective is interesting and possibly the angle I need to approach it from. Thank you for these insights Georgia.
Lawra wrote: "I haven't read Lolita, though it's been on my TBR for years. I always find myself avoiding it. However this perspective is interesting and possibly the angle I need to approach it from. Thank you f..."Reading Nabokov's memoir Speak, Memory brought me here. I had never really thought of his life before. His childhood was radiant with loving parents and innocence beyond an age when innocence is common in our times or his when writing Lolita.
Georgia: I can give you one entry in "Henry James in Reverse: THE AMERICAN FRIEND, the film version of Patricia Highsmith's novel RIPLEY'S GAME. Director Wim Wenders takes the Europeans for naifs and fools and the American, Ripley, for the sophisticated con man.
Julio wrote: "Georgia: I can give you one entry in "Henry James in Reverse: THE AMERICAN FRIEND, the film version of Patricia Highsmith's novel RIPLEY'S GAME. Director Wim Wenders takes the Europeans for naifs a..."I just watched the trailer. This looks great! Thanks, Julio.
Wow such an interesting view point, Georgia! I have always been a little apprehensive to try this one because of the plot. But if you put it this way, it undoubtedly makes a case to read this one.
Wonderful review, fascinating insight �
Very interesting . This book gave me nightmares, I was only 17 when I read. Didn't go well with me.
Vanitha wrote: "Very interesting . This book gave me nightmares, I was only 17 when I read. Didn't go well with me."Back when Jaws was the film to scare the wits out of people I knew a group who watched it then had a late night pool party. It was fun, I heard. For me, water is frightening enough without giant sharks. Yet, I swim and can't live far from it. Some books are like that, Vanitha. Disturbing yet we give them homes on our shelves.
Kushagri wrote: "Wow such an interesting view point, Georgia! I have always been a little apprehensive to try this one because of the plot. But if you put it this way, it undoubtedly makes a case to read this one."Let me know what you think afterwards, Kushagri.
Abyssdancer (Hanging in there!) wrote: "Wonderful review, fascinating insight �"Thanks, Abyssdancer!
An absolutely valid point of view, Georgia. It had crossed my mind the first time I read the book. The annotated edition I'm currently reading takes this approach into account but as part of a whole other concept. And that's exactly where Nabokov's mastery lies; he plays with every reader's view, but he is always the winner in the end. 😉
Violeta wrote: "An absolutely valid point of view, Georgia. It had crossed my mind the first time I read the book. The annotated edition I'm currently reading takes this approach into account but as part of a whol..."Nabokov's text dances around us like those butterflies that he collected since a boy. Read his childhood memoir if you haven't already, Violeta. It's called Speak, Memory and it is beautiful.
Georgia wrote: "Violeta wrote: "An absolutely valid point of view, Georgia. It had crossed my mind the first time I read the book. The annotated edition I'm currently reading takes this approach into account but a..."I can't help interrupting to agree with you about his memoir 'Speak Memory' - I read it when I was 18/19 and it just blew my mind as one of the most dazzlingly beautiful books I had ever read, just the memory of it nearly fifty years later of that first read of it is so powerful and happy a memory!
Liam wrote: "Georgia wrote: "Violeta wrote: "An absolutely valid point of view, Georgia. It had crossed my mind the first time I read the book. The annotated edition I'm currently reading takes this approach in..."Liam wrote: "Georgia wrote: "Violeta wrote: "An absolutely valid point of view, Georgia. It had crossed my mind the first time I read the book. The annotated edition I'm currently reading takes this approach in..."
Now it is your memory almost as much as Nabokov's! I feel the same, Liam.
Wow, very interesting take on Lolita, Thank you.I have not seen this perspective before; I will consider it, and perhaps read the book again 😊
William wrote: "Wow, very interesting take on Lolita, Thank you.I have not seen this perspective before; I will consider it, and perhaps read the book again 😊"
I could be mistaken but it hit me that way. And I'm sorry I only now saw your comment, William. Notifications weren't coming through.
