Lolita

I'm about to start reading this masterpiece for the second time (I probably won't actually start until the weekend due to social activities, but still)
and I was wondering if any other readers have interesting opinions, facts, reviews, favourite quotes etc?

Oh, and I'd love to hear from people who haven't read the book but like to bash the age difference between Hum and Dolores, that would be great..

Dirty paedo.

I will be doing my duty as a barely-literate British citizen and reporting this crime to the Daily Mail. Expect a paedo-burning death-squad to appear at your house any second now...

"Father, forgive me, for I have sinned, I read Lolita and liked it - I'm not REALLY going to hell, am I?"

lol.

But seriously, is there anyone on here who's read it and has some valid comments to make?

It's a beautiful work, all too rare to use such care with language. I love modernist novels like joyce's ulysses and thomas mann's magic mountain (which you should read). i NEVER read contemporary novels bc they are rarely works of sheer genius in my opinion (no writers today have the capacity or desire to create such large scale classics)--Lolita is an exception.
I think the novel elicits a sense of pity / pathos to h's sad plight--it shows him in the wrong and what devastation his actions create in the end for L. and himself. you may like Mann's Death in Venice, similar theme and artistry

I've only seen the movie and can't remember it vividly.What is so great about it,may I ask? How is it a masterpiece? What's so special about it?

The writing itself, the language used. It's very cleverly written.
Plus, I enjoy black comedy. And no, that doesn't mean Dave Chappelle.

Lolita: Wait a sec. You're telling me we're sleeping in one room? With one bed?
Humbert: I've asked them to bring up a cot, which I'll use if you like.
Lolita: You're crazy.
Humbert: Why, my darling?
Lolita: Because, my darrr-ling, when my darrr-ling mother finds out she'll divorce you and strangle me.
Humbert: Lo, listen a moment. For all intents and purposes I am your father and I am responsible for your welfare. We are not rich, so when we travel, we shall be - we shall uh... we shall be thrown together a great deal. And two people who enter into a cohabitation inevitably lead into a kind of...
Lolita: The word is "incest".

As a reader, your sympathise with Hum, despite knowing intelectually that he's a despicable character. In fact, I think not sympathising with him would lessen the story.

I'm not very good at expressing what I mean, but I think people who have read and enjoyed the book know what I'm trying to say.

I haven't seen either of the movies btw, though I'm tempted to get hold of the first - Peter Sellers, yes please.

I think this song is ****ing amazing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDwKPGUIVME

I would read it, but am afraid it would make me susceptible to paedophilia.

Can't take the chance.

So, no.

Originally Posted by Thanatos

I would read it, but am afraid it would make me susceptible to paedophilia.

If there is a book more likely to do precisely the opposite, I can't think of it.

Lolita is, quite simply, one of the most superb pieces of literature ever penned.

it's a beautiful piece of work. beautiful language
i enjoy nabakov

Brilliantly written piece of work. Even Tolstoy couldn't write like that.

I've read it, but so long ago that I don't remember much.

I liked the way the girl manipulates Humbert, it's quite funny.

Never read the book, but I saw both screen adaptations: the one starring Jeremy Irons, and the one starring James Mason.

They were interesting movies.

I've a link for anyone interested in reading it..

http://www.arlindo-correia.com/lolita.html

Just started chapter....17?
Just after Dolly's gone to camp, I think.
Love this book, so funny and witty. And Voltaire, yeah - that has me chuckling at times.

Well, you guys have made me curious, I shall read it, as soon as I have time.