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

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.

Outstanding story and performance!

I can see why this book has been known as one of the literary greats .
The narrator did an amazing job.

The story it'self is quite controversial, but very well writen, and parts of it were hard to listen to, but i guess that's part of the draw of this story.

I will listen to again at some point to try to find things I missed the first time.

be aware: part one and two are in the wrong order

chapter 1-6 in this audiobook is the second half of the book. Midway chapter 6-10 is the first half. I thought something was off, but didn't realize I heard the wrong part first. extremely disappointed.

Shocking for its time!! Crazy and Exciting!

A must read! Very interesting in all aspects such as moral and mental health. It's geared towards the mind of a pedophile as well as a pubescent ambition to loose it's innocence. Interesting to know there are different types of "pedophiles" than we know. This book delves deep into the mind of such taboos! I would read again. There is a movie on the book original and remakes but none come close to the details given in the book itself. Which makes it all the more interesting.

Surprised

I never write reviews but I hesitated on this book because of the content but am so glad I listened. It is so well written, the word play is amazing and entertaining, but mostly the narration is outstanding. Glad I took a chance in spite of knowing the disturbing premise. But you must approach it as a study of a crazy man’s mind.

Not for the light of heart

Read this book to be absorbed into the mind of the perverse, unreliable narrator. Honestly, despite the topic I loved this book. I read it all in one day. Very interesting, the writer was able to make me feel empathy towards this narrator, which I did not think could happen.

Quite mad

The curse of the age gap, magnified by making a sex object of a child... at the end Humbert attached himself to an idiot.

Well written...

Well written, mildly entertaining/interesting story, but not my cup of tea. Jeremy Irons made listening to it bearable.

Lures You In

If you know the premise of this book before starting, part of you expects to be horrified or disgusted by it, but the author writes it in such a way that you're never taken aback, and while people will have different opinions of the main character, I can say I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book as it so well written, and the narrators voice is so perfect for the writing style, I can't imagine anyone else reading it. Gets better as you go.

If unsure, get it

I was just as iffy as you more than likely are now. Yes, the subject matter is problematic, but it’s not as bad as you would imagine. Most of the book is the thoughts, ramblings, and interactions of a sick and evil man. This book contains some of the best writing I have ever encountered. Read it, you won’t regret it!