LOLITA

by Vladimir Nabokov

Book Overview

The most famous and controversial novel from one of the greatest writers of the twentieth century tells the story of Humbert Humbert's obsessive, devouring, and doomed passion for the nymphet Dolores... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• ISBN: B005C1RRYE
• Release Date: January 1955
• Publisher: International Collectors Library
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Wrong cover

I mean the book came but it was not the cover that I ordered, it's a completely different cover. Disappointed but at least I have the book :/

Broken

It came completely cut in half and isn't the cover I was expecting, I thought I was getting the one in the picture, it says nothing about it being a different cover and it's completely unreadable. I'm really sad and disappointed

Book was written well

Although being controversial this book was written very well and it's a novel.

"Very Good condition" ... deceiving and disappointing

The cover of the book was bent and shows a very visible white line because of it. Besides, the pages are yellow and have very strong “old room” smell. Under no circumstances, none at all, this could have been sold as "very good condition" at $8.19. Disappointed

Never gotten this book. Sad. I was really looking forward to it.

Never gotten this book. Sad. I was really looking forward to it.

“Like new” but not.

My “like new” condition book is covered in writing, I didn’t notice right away and it is no longer eligible for return.

Don’t the subject matter keep you from reading this.

The book is famously about an unholy relationship between stepfather and stepdaughter, but if you read until the end, Nabokov makes it clear that he in no way celebrates the behavior. It’s heart-wrenching and beautiful, and Nabokov is a master of his craft. Hold your nose and give it a try. This is hands-down my favorite novel.

good quality

the book came in good condition. it’s a horrifying classic.

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Hold on! What a ride...read! Lolita is a very unique reading experience!

This story was both thrilling and shockingly entertaining! The writing style is superb, reminiscent of a diary, and will keep you on the edge of your seat! Recommended for avid, open-minded book worms with an exceptionally eclectic taste in literature. There is quite a bit of writing in French but do not become discouraged as it is well worth it.

bad quality

the book came completely beat up. There was literally no cover, and multiple pages were folded in.

Never received my Order

I ordered this on May 22nd and unfortunately I never received it.

Really nice

The language is both textured and accessible. I recommend it to anyone new to literature or writing.

"I, on my part, was as naive as only a pervert can be."

I have no real excuse for not reading "Lolita" before this late date. It's certainly a book that crops up in conversation a great deal. I watched the James Mason film version of the book years ago--perhaps that's what put me off. I recently watched the Jeremy Irons version and loved it. I suppose part of me asked why myself why I'd want to read a book that is essentially the ramblings of a middle-aged pervert. Anyway, I decided that I'd procrastinated long enough, and it was time to get serious and find out what all the fuss is about. The story is narrated by middle-aged Humbert Humbert. He's a pedophile--although he's tried denying it, tried disguising it, and tried channeling his baser instincts, but as luck would have it, Humbert finds himself as the lodger at the home of a buxom, lonely widow, Charlotte Haze and 12-year-old daughter, Lolita. Humbert doesn't particularly even like Lolita--he actually finds her rather dull, but she becomes a vessel for the fantasies left by Humbert's unfulfilled first love affair. Due to the subject matter, the book was, at times, rather difficult to read, and it is a tribute to Nabokov's skill as a writer that I was gripped by this story. Humbert Humbert is at his most 'human' (introspective) during his pre- and post-Lolita phases. Once Humbert crosses the boundaries of ethical behaviour and begins a physical relationship with Lolita, there is no going back. At times, Humbert congratulates himself for his cleverness and calls himself a "magician," and then at other times, Humbert seems to realize how despicable he truly is. Unfortunately, the occasional flash of insight is too pale and fleeting to release Humbert from his obsession with his "nymphet" and so Humbert accepts his enslavement and ultimate fate. As the novel develops, Humbert relates his seduction of Lolita and his subsequent relationship towards the child. His manipulative behaviour with Lolita was nauseating, and he acknowledges that Lolita has "absolutely nowhere else to go." Humbert keeps it that way--and turns Lolita into his personal prostitute. Vain, selfish Humbert is a despicable character and at no point did I feel one iota of sympathy for the man. His ability to focus solely on his destructive, obsessive needs is chilling. And yet while I despised the character of Humbert, the story was compelling. How did Nabokov manage this? The brilliant ending of the novel is a triumph of literature, and the words gave me goose bumps. "Lolita" is one of the best books I have ever read--displacedhuman.

14-year-old loved boook

Im 14 years old and I thought that the book was well written. This book is an instand classic. I saw the movie and right after i rushed to get the book and i really felt like i was in it. This book deserves 6 stars!!