http://alongwithahammer.com/2008/11/10/on-a-book-called-lolita/ Classic books, modern take, no surrender. Fri, 09 Jul 2010 06:21:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ http://alongwithahammer.com/2008/11/10/on-a-book-called-lolita/#comment-127 Diablevert Tue, 11 Nov 2008 02:28:05 +0000 http://alongwithahammer.wordpress.com/?p=159#comment-127 Aw, thanks. And ditto. In a way I think Humbert's seductiveness is the whole point of the book --- that one way of seeing it is as an exercise in what love allows us to excuse. I think that was the first way I explained it too myself --- as an one-sided love story. One-sided would normally imply unrequited --- but Lolita's age and dependance on him allow Humbert to possess her despite the fact that she doesn't love him back. That is one way in which I think Lolita can ask a question about the nature of love which extends beyond Humbert's grotesque lust for le fruit vert---what would you do if you could have the person you loved even if they didn't want you? Would you take them? Aw, thanks. And ditto. In a way I think Humbert’s seductiveness is the whole point of the book — that one way of seeing it is as an exercise in what love allows us to excuse. I think that was the first way I explained it too myself — as an one-sided love story. One-sided would normally imply unrequited — but Lolita’s age and dependance on him allow Humbert to possess her despite the fact that she doesn’t love him back. That is one way in which I think Lolita can ask a question about the nature of love which extends beyond Humbert’s grotesque lust for le fruit vert—what would you do if you could have the person you loved even if they didn’t want you? Would you take them?

]]> http://alongwithahammer.com/2008/11/10/on-a-book-called-lolita/#comment-126 Colleen Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:25:25 +0000 http://alongwithahammer.wordpress.com/?p=159#comment-126 Great review! I think you're absolutely right about Humbert being so dangerously compelling...finding him to be so when I first read the book (at age 13!!) was extremely uncomfortable. But the writing is some of the most beautiful I've ever experienced. VN was, indeed, a genius. Great review! I think you’re absolutely right about Humbert being so dangerously compelling…finding him to be so when I first read the book (at age 13!!) was extremely uncomfortable. But the writing is some of the most beautiful I’ve ever experienced. VN was, indeed, a genius.

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