2025 Reading Challenge discussion

This thread is to discuss chapter 16 through the end of Part 1, chapter 33.

I am finding humbert and lolita very annoying characters. lolita is a spoilt brat and humburg thinks he can do what ever he like

I am finding humbert and lolita very annoying characters. lolita is a spoilt brat and humburg thinks he can do what ever he like

I dislike Lolita too, but so far I still find Humbert entertaining. I was surprised by the way everything fell into place for him. The end of part 1 really has me wondering how things are going to play out - it's obvious at this point that it's not going to go well for either of them. I'm surprised there's still more than half of the book to go, but he's already achieved his goal.

This really is a beautifully written book and the author is amazing at balancing the grotesqueness of Humbert's predilections with the likability of Humbert himself. It really is hard to reconcile why I am reading this, though, when he details his plan for drugging and taking advantage of this young girl whose mother just died. And how Humbert tells Lolita about her mother's death is just so horrible, and he follows up not by talking about Lo's reaction, but with a list of all the things that he bought her afterwards. He is so self-centered to the point that it's almost funny. There is never a passing thought about how his actions might hurt someone else.

I have very much same feelings as you Alicia, so beautifully written text but awful plotline. I have to say that I really need to check his other works too.

So far this book is like a very bumpy roller coaster. There are parts that have me feeling like I can't read fast enough, but there are others that I struggle to get through. Humbert's character is very unique and he is likable and disturbing. Lolita is starting to get in my nerves but I do feel for her especially after Humbert tells her about her mother's death.

So far this book is like a very bumpy roller coaster. There are parts that have me feeling like I can't read fast enough, but there are others that I struggle to get through. Humbert's character is very unique and he is likable and disturbing. Lolita is starting to get in my nerves but I do feel for her especially after Humbert tells her about her mother's death.