Vladimir Nabokov: Lolita

[Peder]

Breaca, Pontalba
52-ish and 21-ish.
Sounds about right. Trophy gal!
Nothing new in the world.
Peder

PS Tomorrow should see an Enchanting new playpen, all done in pink and blue.

 

[Peder]

And yes, when do we start - but do bear in mind I need to read MY (oh such a sweet word) copy of The Enchanter. Not that that should restrict debate - not here of all places.

Are we going to a separate thread/area for The Enchanter or letting it go as a natural progression to this esteemed thread?

Breaca,
It shouldn't take you too long to read. This was before he learned to write obscure. Glad you finally have it in hand.
As for when, tomorrow you should wake to a new day!
Just now getting the birthday candles out for a new start,
Peder

 

[Breaca]

Then I shall go curl up in my favourite reading spot and get a little head start before the dawn of a brand new day shines it's rays of bliss upon us. But first things first she says tottering off to put the kettle on, put teabag in cup and hunt for any biscuits (cookies) and chocolates. I like to be prepared

So fare ye well I'm off to the enchanted.....

 

[StillILearn]

If you had a daughter who loved acting and was 12-would you let her try out for the role of Lolita?

Got that one from the thesis student who noted how the Kubrick film was castigated as immoral, while the producers received a deluge of videotapes of perspective actresses to play Lo's part.

I had out my Annotated Lolita this afternoon (trying to find the page where HH describes his fantasies or dreams of guns with their bullets trickling impotently to the floor) when my twelve year-old g'daughter said, "Are you still reading that book?" (I hadn't noticed that she'd noticed.) I told her it was more like I was studying it, and she asked "Why?" in that voice. I told her that the writer was a wonderful writer and that she'd probably read his books herself someday -- that although it was about a twelve year-old girl -- but she had lost interest in the subject and wanted to know where I got those great cheese puffs.

Figures.

Anyway, I'm glad you counted the shots, SFG75! I can see both Quiltys staggering about and saying things like, "Ouch -- must you do that?" and Ooo -- that one stung" and "Cut it out, will you?"

 

[StillILearn]

SIL Vera is supposedly next on my list, but I did get a package from Amazon this evening.....no, no, nooo, stick to one author at the time!!

So, when do we start???

Oh. My. God. pontalba, just wait until you get to read Vera. I'm only up to about 1938, but --

Peder, don't you think Vera is going to need a thead of her own too?

 

[pontalba]

I had out my Annotated Lolita this afternoon (trying to find the page where HH describes his fantasies or dreams of guns with their bullets trickling impotently to the floor)

Did you find it yet? I do remember the scene very well. But where?
I'll start Vera in the next day or so. Can't wait!

 

[Peder]

Oh. My. God. pontalba, just wait until you get to read Vera. I'm only up to about 1938, but --

Peder, don't you think Vera is going to need a thead of her own too?

Still,
The thought had indeed crossed my mind.
When Pontalba gets to it, the pressure will quickly reach explosive proportions I am sure. I'm glad to see that you are beginning to see what she is missing /hint, hint, tease, tease/ Then we'll see how quick she can devour a book!
Better than fiction yet?
We recommend good books around here!
Peder

 

[Peder]

I'll start Vera in the next day or so. Can't wait!

Yeah, sure! She says that every day!

 

[StillILearn]

Last time I take a lunch break!

One dasn't even take a moment out to read around this place!

 

[StillILearn]

Then I shall go curl up in my favourite reading spot and get a little head start before the dawn of a brand new day shines it's rays of bliss upon us. But first things first she says tottering off to put the kettle on, put teabag in cup and hunt for any biscuits (cookies) and chocolates. I like to be prepared

So fare ye well I'm off to the enchanted.....

(Hey! She got away. Taking time out to eat, of all things.)

 

[StillILearn]

Morning / afternoon all.

After a very enjoyable night viewing the first Lolita... I came by to tell you all how fantastic it is, though most of you already know that... After Peder advising me to watch the Irons one first, I was expecting it to be dull, with pretty charcters maybe, but little else (other than the amazing storyline, with which we're all already (quite) familiar with), but how wrong I was! Jeremy Irons doesn't fit the picture in my head of HH, but nevertheless, he was a good choice... I can see why people who have seen this version are quick to defend HH, just a little. But the character of Lolita was acted out brilliantly!! As was Quilty's.

I loved the ending! I loved it all, but especially the ending!!

There was a couple of shock moments too though... HH saying "I thought you preferred my magic fingers" But then it was an 18 certificate...

steffee, I hope the reason your dot is dark is that you're busy watching the second DVD.

 

[StillILearn]

Still,
The thought had indeed crossed my mind.
When Pontalba gets to it, the pressure will quickly reach explosive proportions I am sure. I'm glad to see that you are beginning to see what she is missing /hint, hint, tease, tease/ Then we'll see how quick she can devour a book!
Better than fiction yet?
We recommend good books around here!
Peder

I'm loving it. I was wishing that there was a biography of VN, and I guess this is as close as we get? (That's a question.)

Peder, don't you think Vera is going to need a thead of her own too?

(God, my typos.) :-O

 

[pontalba]

SIL I have two words for ya.....Speak Memory.

Plus, I'm down to my last praline, and am out of chocolate.......time to go out.

 

[pontalba]

Yeah, sure! She says that every day!

I know what you're doing...........and it just might work!

 

[SFG75]

new thread.....soon......stay tuned.......

I'll have to find a copy of that book-I've enjoyed myself immensely on this book of the two months.

And yet a savaging review of the enchanter.

Nabakov is one of my literary icons. I view him as one of the masters of 20th century prose. That's why I wish I hadn't read this book. It is indeed a precursor to Lotlita, told from the point of view of a character much like Humbert Humbert, who has a distinct penchant for young, waifish girls. However, whereas Lolita is full of great wit, disarming wordplay and inventiveness, this novella borders on the prosaically pornographic. Most of the narrative is taken up with the lurid musings and imaginative follies of the old rake. As is the case in Lolita, he takes up with the mother to get closer to the daughter. And in this story too, the mother is conveniently removed from the picture, leaving our hero to bask in solitude with his young ward. Again, as in his great novel, Nabakov's narrator comes to a bad end. His nymphette wakes up while he is forcing himself on her and starts screaming bloody murder. The neighbors call the police and he's carted off to jail. Anyone who is familiar with Lolita is aware of the obscenity charges filed against it and of the difficulties surounding its initial US publication. However, Lolita, Like Joyce's Ulysses, is not obscene in any sense. It towers above its subject matter because it is great satirical literature, full of humor and grand spirit. This little book, on the other hand, becomes bogged down in its subject matter and comes very close to being pornographic. There is good reason it wasn't published until recently. It throws a new and perhaps unwarrentedly lurid light on its author's masterpiece. Nabakov's son issues a king of apologia for the work in a postscript. I read this book because I've tried to read all of Nabakov's works, both fiction and non-fiction. I would have to place this one at the bottom of the list. My reverence for a great author was diminished slightly by my exposure to this text. I'm surprised his estate did decide to publish it.

Some guy who had a bad day and did a review.

 

[pontalba]

I'll have to find a copy of that book-I've enjoyed myself immensely on this book of the two months.

www.Amazon.com



And I don't think we are finished yet. After all, we still have the casebook.........

 

[StillILearn]

I'll have to find a copy of that book-I've enjoyed myself immensely on this book of the two months.

Frankly, my dears, I don't see us regaining our wits any time soon.

Nighty-night, all. I'm off to read Vera. I guess I'd better go ahead and order Speak, Memory too. God, didn't that man ever rest?

 

[Peder]

I'm loving it. I was wishing that there was a biography of VN, and I guess this is as close as we get? (That's a question.)

God -- my typos. :-\

Still,
Oh, no! There's a huge biography by Brian Boyd. Two fat volumes, total of about 1400 pages! Just here to my left. I bought it in a wild moment! There's also an older one by Field which I think is large also. Boyd's is the more recent and the more reliable from comments I have seen. Actually, I bought it because one can find used copies in very good condition at very reasonable prices. Reading it is another matter, however. Boyd writes very clearly, but man there's a lot of words!
By the time you're finished with Vera I think you'll feel that you have a pretty good picture of him as well.
Peder

 

[SFG75]

Frankly, my dears, I don't see us regaining our wits any time soon.

Thanks for the link pontalba-I'm on it on another window as we mention. Yes Still, I don't see this ending any time soon. Amazing how one guy's work has elicited more commentary and pages than all others put together on this board.

 

[Peder]

I'll have to find a copy of that book-I've enjoyed myself immensely on this book of the two months.

And yet a savaging review of the enchanter.


Some guy who had a bad day and did a review.

SFG.
Yes Enchanter lacks all the elegance of Lolita. Nearly every book does, for that matter, and they can't all be Lolita's, not even from Nabokov. However if one reads it. there is plenty that is worthy of note. And I might add that it sounds like the reviewer hasn't seen any pornography in a long, long time. If he had, he certainly wouldn't confuse the two.
He was spoiled by reading Lolita.
There is a somehat different review coming that you will see by tomorrow.
Peder

And I might note he thought nothing about including detailed spoilers. I guess he thought the book was worth that little resspect.