How do I describe this book? How do I describe my experience with this book?
It was confuddling.
I loved it. And HATED it. I never want to read it again. I never want to TOUCH it again.
I want to repeatedly stab it. While also suggesting that people read it?
It was confuddling because it makes you feel sympathy for a pedophile at one point because the 12 year old girl is being mean to him.
Like. How does a writer even accomplish that???
Hats off to this guy because DAMN DUDE. I was bound and determined to hate this book because of its context (and I did). But I NEVER thought I was going to be like “Oh poor Humbert.”
Which made me audibly yell “WHAT?!” after I thought that and put the book down for a few days.
It took me a long time to read this because I needed to take Soul Breaks. It was grossing me out and I needed to put it under Jeremiah Duncan (the ceramic pig I have on my kitchen table) and leave it there for weeks at a time.
I have a wrinkle on my nose from scowling at it that I have nicknamed ‘Lolita’.
Once again, this is a devastating and life ruining book my friend suggested to me because it was SO BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN YOU FORGET WHAT IT’S REALLY ABOUT FOR PAGES AT A TIME.
Goddamnit.
Constant vigilance!
The Deranged Librarian 