April's classic: Lolita

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

April’s classic novel. And a very interesting read.
I can’t say I “enjoyed” Lolita. I savoured the writing; I was seduced by the writing but at the same time … the content is so appalling!
I think the genius with Lolita is how Nabokov manages to seduce with his words, even though the storyline _ about a middle-aged pederast taking advantage of a pre-pubescent girl and going on the road trip from hell through a very seedy America _ is sickening, to say the least.
There are layers and layers and layers within Lolita; some of which you just don't want to peel back.
I feel as though I have a lot more in my head about Lolita, but none of it seems to be coming out right _ possibly because I have a head cold; or possibly because there’s not really much insight I can add to a book like this.
Let me just say: while I think it was one of my best reads of the year so far, I won’t be in any hurry to repeat the process.

Lolita

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
April’s classic novel; although The Old Curiosity Shop is sitting on my bedside table like a neglected middle child. Ah, well, I only feel slightly guilty about that.

Reading Lolita, however …. I’m simultaneously seduced by the language and horrified by the content, if that makes sense. I want to soak in Nabakov’s words at the same time as I feel the urge to scrub myself down in a scalding hot bath with a bristle brush and lye soap.

So as I’m reading it, I’m completely torn.

I’m also noticing, with this year of classics, that my reading slows down. I’m racing through almost everything else on my reading list, but the classics … I’m slowing down and savouring the words more. It’s a bit like taking a deep breath in the middle of a really busy day – you only slow down for a minute, but sometimes, that’s enough.

Defeated by Dickens

I'm not even halfway through The Old Curiosity Shop, and I'm not sure I'll get it finished at all. Part of me finds it fascinating, part of me wants to throw the book across the room. I had a feeling, that of all 12 of my classic novels for this year, I'd have the hardest time with Dickens _ mostly because I still harbour hard feelings towards Great Expectations. But, I felt I had to try.

I'm not taking it off the reading list, but I'm moving on to Lolita by Nabakov. I figure if I can get through Pale Fire (which I read at university and it made me want to find where Nabakov is buried, dig him up and punch him), then I should be able to manage Lolita.

So, for now, Little Nell and her grandfather will have to stay on the road. I have a feeling it's not going to end well anyway ....