Have you ever read the book Lolita?
By marciadotcom
@marciadotcom (20)
United States
February 8, 2007 12:31pm CST
We are reading the book Lolita now for our book club. I am having trouble reading it, because I'm finding it disturbing. I'm only on the first few chapters, but I find myself getting queasy when he is describing the young girls he is attracted to. What did you think of this book? Does it get more interesting? Also, do you know of any online study guides for this book with questions that will help develop discussion at a book club meeting?
2 people like this
9 responses
@JJLoa44 (346)
• Canada
8 Feb 07
I am afraid I do not know about any online study guides, but I think the point of the book is that it is supposed to be disturbing. That it pushes against the boundaries of what is considered 'right', and is trying to make you think and analyze it.
3 people like this
@JJLoa44 (346)
• Canada
9 Feb 07
Well, it is a love story as well. But I think the point of the book is to make you look at relationships, and look at what is considered improper, and try to actually see it, vs. just running away. Not saying it's trying to make you accept it by any stretch of the imagination ... but it's asking you to really look at it and what's going on vs. a kneejerk reaction.
That's always been my impression of it at least!
@marciadotcom (20)
• United States
8 Feb 07
I see... I was under the impression that it was supposed to be a love story.. so I was expecting something different. Or I guess it is a love story, but a perverted one!
1 person likes this
@linger (29)
• China
7 Apr 07
actually, I've read some stuff in which the Lolita story is understood in other aspects.
Some peoples think the Lolita is wholly a psychopathy's self-report. In that case, the whole story or at least some scenes in the story, actually never happend. Humbert made them up in his own mind.
That really make sense.
Nabokov is a good story teller and a foxy liar
@creativedreamweaver (7297)
• United States
8 Feb 07
Lolita is a very graphic novel about pedophilia. If you are disturbed by the first few chapters, it will only get more disturbing to you. I have read it in it's entirity, and was disgusted by it. To the novels credit though, it is very well written, and you want to know what happens in the end. As for study guides, this might help your reading group out. http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/lolita/
Or:
http://www.randomhouse.com/vintage/read/lolita/
2 people like this
@marciadotcom (20)
• United States
8 Feb 07
Hmmm... no one in the book club really mentioned that it would be a disturbing read! I usually can handle strong topics, so we'll see how the rest of the book goes. Thanks for your links to the online reading guides!
1 person likes this
@Withoutwings (6992)
• United States
8 Feb 07
I am in the middle of reading Lolita right now actually. I don't remember which chapter I'm on. It is disturbing to me too. At the same time though, and this is probably going to sound bad - I wish he would just get on with it. All he does is ramble on and on about his lust. I wish he would just get on with it so the book can be over. Do you understand what I mean? I am determined to finish it... but it's bothersome.
1 person likes this
@creativedreamweaver (7297)
• United States
8 Feb 07
I understand what you mean completly. I had to almost force myself to finish the novel, because I wanted to know what happened. It is not an easy read by any means.
1 person likes this
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
21 Oct 08
I actually found it really boring myself. I was disturbed, but it just goes on and on with more and more of the same. I guess maybe I have watched too many movies too, such as Hard Candy. I actually expected the book to get even more disturbing from the way people talk about it.
@thunderofsins (738)
• United States
8 Feb 07
I have not read it yet, but it is on my list of books to read. I've heard a lot about it, as well as about the "Lolita complex".
1 person likes this
@marciadotcom (20)
• United States
8 Feb 07
That is one of the reasons we are reading it, because it has been referenced so many times in pop culture.
@sincere4frdship (2228)
• India
2 Aug 07
yes i have read this book a long time ago. that was beginning of my reading in english.
dont see there is young girl describing by a older man, just see the writing skill and how much beatiful the matter is...
@linger (29)
• China
7 Apr 07
I am a chinese reader of Nabokov's Lolita. I read it in chinese many years ago, when i was still a student in senior high school. Now i am reading it in English.
Several weeks ago, I participated a reading party of Nabokov's works. And dr. Nina.L.Khrushcheva gave us a good report of Nabokov's books.
Dr.Khrushcheva, the granddaughter of Nikita.Khrushcheve (the president of USSR),like Nabokov, is also a scholar that study in American from rassia. Maybe you can find some papers of Dr.Khrushcheva to guide your reading this disturbing book.
Http://www.slashmysearch.com/earn/signup.html?id=24509
@quickquick (56)
• Philippines
13 Feb 08
I've never had to time to read it. It was one of those books I really wanted to read because of its nature and the fact that lots of people are generally interested in reading it.
