'The Annotated Lolita: Revised and Updated' by Vladimir Nabokov is a highly praised and annotated version of the classic novel 'Lolita'. The annotations in the book are described as tremendously helpful, providing insight into the allusions, echoes, and word plays within Nabokov's narrative. Readers mention that the book offers a sophisticated writing style with literary allusions, expansive vocabulary, and rare words, making it a pleasure to read for English buffs. Despite the controversial subject matter of the story, the book is noted for its poetic charm, highbrow comedy, and the clever portrayal of characters, especially the protagonist, Humbert Humbert.

Characters:

The characters are intricately developed, revealing complexities and flaws, particularly Humbert's duality of charm and moral depravity.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is intricate and sophisticated, featuring a rich vocabulary, humor, and literary allusions that create an engaging narrative.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot presents a complex relationship marred by controversy, veering more towards dark comedy than explicit content, accompanied by an exploration of character dynamics.

Setting:

The setting spans various locations in the United States, adding depth to the narrative and character experiences.

Pacing:

The pacing varies, with certain sections feeling slow due to exposition, while others engage deeply with character reflections.

Notes:

Lolita's narrator, Humbert Humbert, is a middle-aged man obsessed with young girls, creating an uncomfortable dynamic.

The novel contains very little explicit sexual content; much of it is implied or suggested rather than described in detail.

Despite its controversial subject, the book is appreciated for its poetic language and humorous tone.

Humbert Humbert often mocks the characters and situations he encounters, giving the book a satirical edge.

The annotations in the revised edition are extensive, translating French and clarifying literary references for readers.

Reading Lolita can feel sophisticated due to its rich vocabulary and literary allusions.

Many readers find the first part of the book more engaging than the second, which tends to slow down.

The annotated version is helpful for understanding deeper meanings and layers in the text, as many allusions can be missed otherwise.

Despite its popularity, some argue that Nabokov's work has been overlooked in discussions about contemporary issues like child abuse.

The structure of the narrative is often compared to a detective story, revealing lies and contradictions in Humbert's account.

Readers may enjoy a second reading to uncover more complexities and enjoy Nabokov's intricate writing style.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of pedophilia, child abuse, and sexual exploitation.

From The Publisher:

"Fascinatingly detailed." -Edmund Morris, The New York Times Book Review

When it was published in 1955, Lolita immediately became a cause célèbre because of the freedom and sophistication with which it handled the unusual erotic predilections of its protagonist. Awe and exhilaration-along with heartbreak and mordant wit-abound in this account of the aging Humbert Humbert's obsessive, devouring, and doomed passion for the nymphet Dolores Haze.

Lolita is also the story of a hypercivilized European colliding with the cheerful barbarism of postwar America, but most of all, it is a meditation on love-love as outrage and hallucination, madness and transformation.

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The Annotated Lolita: Revised and Updated

Vladimir Nabokov