Lolita

By: Vladimir Nabokov

Narrated by: Jeremy Irons

Length: 11 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

The most famous and controversial novel from one of the greatest writers of the twentieth century tells the story of Humbert Humbert’s obsessive, devouring, and doomed passion for the nymphet Dolores Haze.

"The conjunction of a sense of humor with a sense of horror [results in] satire of a very special kind." —The New Yorker

Awe and exhilaration—along with heartbreak and mordant wit—abound in Lolita, which tells the story of the aging Humbert Humbert's obsession for the nymphet Dolores Haze. Lolita is also the story of a hypercivilized European colliding with the cheerful barbarism of postwar America.

Most of all, it is a meditation on love—love as outrage and hallucination, madness and transformation.

(P)2005 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

One of TIME Magazine's All-Time 100 Novels

"Lolita blazes with a perversity of a most original kind. For Mr. Nabokov has distilled from his shocking material hundred-proof intellectual farce…Lolita seems an assertion of the power of the comic spirit to wrest delight and truth from the most outlandish materials. It is one of the funniest serious novels I have ever read; and the vision of its abominable hero, who never deludes or excuses himself, brings into grotesque relief the cant, the vulgarity, and the hypocritical conventions that pervade the human comedy." —The Atlantic Monthly

"Intensely lyrical and wildly funny." —Time

"The only convincing love story of our century." —Vanity Fair

Just WOW

At first the story line started out slow and weak. But I kept listening and got caught up in the life of this monster. Almost to the point of understanding him in his sickness. What a way to look at the other side of a tragedy

Perfect

Jeremy Irons does as excellent job of voicing the smitten, anguished Humbert. Check out his movie version for a more faithful take on this classic novel than the B/W Kubrick version from the 60s.

I don't cry easily

But there I was blubbing my heart out in the middle of an azalea nursery. Jeremy Irons brings a wealth of depth to Humbert Humbert's operatic tragedy. Like Rigoletto he is doomed by his own nature and dooms Lolita too. This is a definitive performance.

Centers a rapist for 12+ hours

The writing is exquisite, the voice-acting moreso. The topic is reprehensible AND BORING. Perhaps there was a time in which getting into the mind of an abuser was interesting. Now it's just tired. One thing my mind doesn't need: the long, detailed account of precisely how a monster rationalizes his crimes.

The best of the very best.

The stunning prose of Nabokov coupled with the gorgeous, flawless narration of Irons. Lolita is triumph of storytelling.

Jeremy Irons

This is a well written novel and the narration is phenomenal. Though the content is disturbing, the writing style is one of a kind. I am very glad I decided to "read" it.

Jeremy Irons delivers.

Jeremy Irons brings this classic to life in a way that I don't think would be possible without listening to this audio book. I usually think of Audible as a supplement to actual reading. After hearing Mr. Irons read this novel I am addicted.

Classic

What did you love best about Lolita?

The story line

What did you like best about this story?

Ever changing human psyche. Raw and deeply sad

What does Jeremy Irons bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I believe the he makes the protagonist more human. Though err, flaw and judged.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Dark corners of human mind

Any additional comments?

A sad classic

Masterful performance worthy of a masterpiece

Grotesque and cringeworthy from start till second to last sentence, but worth the ride across the American countryside and back again.

Provocative, Alluring, and Enchanting Performance

The novel itself is written so beautifully; Lolita’s poetic, passionate prose beautifully portrays a foul, demonic subject matter. The plot is wonderfully executed; motifs and symbolism are expressed, and the journey of Lolita—from motel to motel—is truly an engaging one. As the novel approaches it’s grand climax, the listener is held on the edge of their seat. But, the highlight I clearly Jeremy Irons’ performance. His decent into madness as Humbert Humbert is incredibly convincing. As chapters continue, his performance crescendos into a powerful display of madness. He captures the spellbinding words of Nabokov with such integrity. Wether he uses French, incorporates an American accent, or shifts between characters, Irons contribution to the novel gives the story life beyond its pages. I highly recommend this version of Lolita; as you will fall in love—and in disgust—with Irons’ Humbert Humbert.