2025 Reading Challenge discussion

This is to discuss the start of the book through the end of chapter 15.

I think it makes it hard to read with the akward tansition of languages does anyone else feel the same way

I agree. I've had to look up lots of French phrases to understand what's going on in the 10 chapters I've read. It's like talking to William F. Buckley.....I know he's wrong, but I'm not smart enough to shoot him down.

Yeah, I was surprised there aren't any footnote translations for all the French in this book!

Emmy wrote: "Yeah, I was surprised there aren't any footnote translations for all the French in this book!"

I think it's a conscious decision to put the average reader at a disadvantage. The narrator is too educated, sophisticated and intellectual to be likable.....maybe the author hopes we'll stay with the book just to see him die in prison :-)

Lynn wrote: "I think it's a conscious decision to put the average reader at a disadvantage. The narr..."
That makes sense, I hadn't thought about it that way. I definitely think seeing the story from Humbert's perspective is very interesting.

I have to say, I've not bothered looking up any of the words or phrases, I've just let them wash over me, mainly because I've been reading while I've not had access to the net.

While Humbert is educated and intellectual, I don't necessarily think it's to put the reader at a disadvantage - I thought Humbert was French? Or Swiss? anyway so his first language would be French! So I don't think he's being pretentious. A lot of authors include local dialect words in their stories - it seems to happen more and more nowadays and to me, Lolita is no different.

I think Humbert is funny as hell. Mrs. Haze is pretentious and while he sneers at her attempts to appear cultured, Lolita can go about unbathed with dirty hair and he finds her irresistible. Of the three, I prefer Humbert. He's entertaining at least.

I didn't bother to look up the French either. I considered it to be more of an atmospheric touch than anything else, so I kind of liked not knowing exactly what he was saying.

Am I the only one that found this first part a little boring?

I didn't find it boring, but predictably, uncomfortable to read. The writing style took me a bit to get used to, but I'm passed that now. I could do with less French, but I don't get the sense that I'm missing much not knowing it.

I don't mind the french too much, I know enough to pretty much understand it. The page long paragraphs are what's getting to me. I don't have the attention span for them :p

I have to admit while I have wanted to read this book for quite a while; I can not seem to get into it. So far I find Humbert annoying and the others just bland. Hopefully, it gets better!

Like some others, I have not looked up the French. I don't think breezing through it has hampered my understanding or enjoyment so far. I worry sometimes about reading "classics," that the language or style will be a hurdle I can't get over. However, I've found Lolita to be beautifully written and quite engaging. I don't understand how the author could take someone like Humbert Humbert, someone I should loathe, and make him quite likable. I will be very interested in seeing how his character evolves. Surely, I couldn't possibly still like him by the end of this. Also, even though all parts pertaining to sex are written so abstractly and are fairly chaste (so far), I actually felt a little uncomfortable reading this book on the train during my morning commute.

I enjoy the odd mix of French, I know about 50% of it so I can get the gist of it, but I don't really bother looking up the words I don't know. The book is so different that it is interesting, but the long drawn out paragraphs can get boring at times.

I am curious what the rest of the book has in store and how the dynamic between Mrs. Haze, Lolita and Humbert will progress throughout the story. I think of all the characters, I like Lolita the best. Humbert is entertaining, but eck, his desires are so creepy.

I admit I was typing all of the phrases into a translator to get their meaning. So far I think Humbert can be humorous although disturbing. His relationship between Lolita and Mrs. Haze is quite intriguing. (I agree with the comment how Mrs. Haze tries so hard but it is Lolita he longs for even when unwashed)