Lolita

Continuing my reading of literature that somehow I managed to get through high school and college without reading, I finished reading Lolita today.

Obviously the most distinctive thing about the book is it's subject matter, with Humbert Humbert longing over the twelve year-old Lolita. Yet what struck me more was his obsession with her and other "nymphets" was rather unsettling -- let along the fact that the objects of his affection were pre-pubescent girls. I think what causes his obsession to stand out more than the pedophilia is the stylized and flamboyant writing complete with puns, allusions, and linguistic patterns -- many of which can be missed by a quick reader. The writing tends to mask the filthy nature with grandiose vocabulary and in turn tries to make Humbert a more sympathetic character. Yet the flowery prose, to me, seems to emphasize Humbert's obsession with Lolita which is beyond disturbing. It's like a crush that has taken over his life, not to mention it's on a child. It's also similar to Charlotte's bizarre obsession with Humbert (which is questionable since it's coming from Humbert himself) and how it's so unhealthy that one person can become so attached to another.

The fact the story is told by an unreliable narrator also complicates things. As he downplays his own infatuation -- even blaming it on the girls rather than himself -- that leaves questions to whether or not everything else is as accurate as he claims -- from his superior good looks to Charlotte's falling for him. Of course this is his "confession" so perhaps he's lying or exaggerating details more for himself than his jury, as an attempt to justify his actions, like his constant references to nymphets and man/child relations in history.

I'm glad I finally read this modern masterpiece, as it took a while to get used to the prose and syntax, but the eloquent and extensive vocabulary were worth reading first hand, not to mention the complicated plot filled with red herrings and other false clues. It's always good to read a novel that has been carefully crafted, and not just written.