I just finished Nabokov's haunting, acidic, and tragically vivacious classic novel about an aging man's doomed fascination to a young American "nymphet" and I enjoyed the edgy tale very much. Within the vibrant, thrilling writing of this tale there is satire abound and hidden meanings so far ahead of their time that they remain thought-provoking well after the book was first published. Its prose is all at once gentle and acerbic, free and dark, painful and fascinating. The story moves along steadily with dangerously well-rounded characters always teetering on the edge of destroying themselves; there is no doubt clash among critics about whether this passionate narrator is helplessly corrupt or merely misguided. The stark, crippling humanity of this tale is where its true shock values lies, more than any blatant sexuality or violence that comes later on. This tale blooms with challenging topics that go right for the jugular of our morality, and its tender yet horrific plot was well worth the unsettling parts that lie on its surface. This book leaves a lingering fascination with it long after the last page and provoke further digging for the iridescent writing at every turn.

I've never actually read this novel, but I have listened to Jeremy Irons's unabridged audiobook rendition twice. There are a few naughty passages (HH lures Lolita into giving him a blow job by calling it "a sophisticated embrace," a line which has never worked for me) but the true pleasure is the over-the-top language. Nabokov is just as dazzling in other books, but in Lolita the verbal hijinks are melded with familiar bits of Americana, and the feelings of boredom and guilt are strangely familiar, too, even if you aren't interested in chasing after 12-year-olds.

I have yet to find a page in Lolita that does not read like a poem. What a way with words he had. The mark of an excellent author is the ability to manipulate his readers in such a way that they grow to love a character as loathsome as Humbert Humbert. I actually sympathized with him, and I had been expecting to hate him, for he takes advantage of a pre-teen girl after ensuring the death of her mother! He is such a sociopath that he convinces me that he's an all right guy for a child molester. Now, whether it morally offends or not, H.H.'s likeability is proof of Nabokov's great talent.

This book is amazing yet sad and funny.

Tedious, unimpressively written, and if you read this looking for the salacious parts you'll be disappointed.

Nabokov is all about the little nuances--referring to the unknown neighbor across the street as Miss Opposite, etc. He is the most playful and skillful author I've ever encountered. _Lolita_ is so well-written that I found myself feeling increasingly restless & reckless along with poor Humbert Humbert. I found myself sympathizing with--or better yet, understanding--Humbert on a variety of levels; his criticisms of American society and more...

One of the classics of modern American literature. Brilliantly written and constructed, dense yet supple, evocative and rich in reference, incredibly funny take on our American ethos and the object of desire. Nabokov broaches a very sensitive, taboo and sexually-charged topic, which is a very daring project, but there isn't a single obscenity or direct description of the sexual act in the entire novel. If you're looking to read a "dirty book," don't look here: you'd be wasting your time. However, I strongly disagree with other posters here: the book becomes "meandering" at a certain point because Humbert himself is meandering, and his obsession becomes monotonous because that's what obsession is essentially about. In this, the construction, tone and tenor of the book become apt corollaries for its underlying action and theme. The "objectification" here of the 14 year old girl is hardly lacking in uniqueness: in fact, as this book appeared in 1955, essentially every objectification of the nymphet appearing in American culture since then derives from Nabokov's model. This book isn't about men's sexual exploitation of others; Nabokov's topic is the deranged and remorseless sociopath. And if "terribly real" literature "angers" you, don't read it. Read fairy tale crap like Stephen King, Tom Clancy or that other birdbath, John What's His Face, the pinhead who writes those dreadful and boring legal "thrillers." Furthermore, Nabokov was hardly a "pervert": just because someone choses to write about an unpleasant, dark or sick aspect of the human condition that doesn't mean the author is of the same ilk, and to come to such a conclusion is reductive and simplistic to the point of idiocy. Read "Bend Sinister" and "Pale Fire" if you're interested in other great Nabokovian reads. Considering that Russian was the man's native language, yet he wrote masterfully in German, French and English, Nabokov has to be considered one of the greatest literary geniuses of all time, period.

A classic worth reading, although it is very disturbing and uncomfortable at times. But it's so often referred to that it's good to have read it.

I thought "Lolita" was amazing. It was beautifully and elequently written. Nabokov managed to create Humbert Humbert into this incredibly pathetic and disgusting character, but one who you couldn't help but empathize with. A must read!

Reading Lolita was by far one of the most profound experiences of my life. Nabokov is a master of poetry in the guise of prose. Highly controversial topic as well, but not enough to undermine the beauty of the text's execution. (Even better for those leaning towards child pornography as a profession.)

Extremely well written. Has very verbose and flowery language. Warning: Must read with a dictionary and a thesaurus.

Such a picture of America, as painted by the prose of Nabokov, has never been achieved by a painter. In H.H.'s (the main character) trek across America to find the young "nymphette" of his obsessions he sees and describes America and its culture in a way that will cause one to look at this land of its people with new eyes. Caution, this book is not for the easily offended.

Nabokov's best and most moving story. It draws you into the deliciously demented world that most of us conceal. Nabokov will delight you and make you wonder and question what you really believe is right.

This book dives very deep into the mind of a disturbed man. Yet, he expresses himself so articulately that the reader can understand him and even empathize with him. The fact that Nabakov can put the reader into the mind of a pedophile is an amazing(and sick) feat. Humbert sees a good reason to justify everyone of his actions and he creates his own destruction, while he feels no remorse.

This is an awesome book. The main topic is quite interesting and it is not written about that often, especially on such great level and with such style. I just love Nabakov's style of writing and the way he does not keep the reader bored, even with the long book. He made a nasty topic look nice and interesting.

Twisted, but a good read. Author's voice is honest and open. The subject matter is intense. Topic is intriguing.

I hated this book. It shows the ability of men to exploit a young girl and then blame their sexuality for provoking them. I found it terribly real and it angered me.

Nabokov's Lolita is a must read. My feelings for both characters fluctuated through the novel. I couldn't help but feel disgust, yet his longing for her love all the while. How complete this piece of work is in capturing the essence of our western society's obsession with sex and youth.

I love the innocence of it, yet the blend with pornography that is has. It is subtle and obvious at the same time, and very, very good.

Nabokov, in Lolita, writes in ways that before his time were considered unbelievable. Seduction is something viable- able to be expressed through intense language and is something that eludes the normal reader.

The first 100 pages of this novel are fabulous. Thereafter the plot begins to meander and the protagonist's obsession turns (as most obsessions do) to a tense monotony. Almost immediately one wishes to be done with the novel. Also, it objectifies a 14 year old girl in a way that is offensive mainly in its lack of uniqueness.

Get the annotated version, but read it. It's full of puns, allusions, and beautiful figurative language. Funny AND a classic of literature, this book is a comment on Europe and America.

Lolita is a classic book but the author was a pervert.

The only true love story of our generation. These simple words, written by a professional reviewer about the relationship between the pedophile Humbert Humbert and the 12 year old Lolita, belie the power of Nabokov's writing. Nabokov, through his mastery of language and character development, is able make something horrifying into something touching and beautiful. Humbert is so open about his sickness, so vulnerable, so honest, so eloquent... that it is impossible not to empathize with him, as horrifying as that is. Lolita is perhaps the most daring, touching, and well-written novel I have ever read - a true masterpiece for a variety of reasons. Read this book.

And this man's first language is Russian! What a grasp on art and the english language. Nabokov states his opinion as fact and one is inclined to believe him simply by his intellect and arrogance. In Lolita I entered the mind, not of a pedophile but of a weak man wanting to possess youth and beauty. a weak man who destroyed youth and beauty.