Lolita by Russian-American author Vladimir Nabokov, published in 1955, is one of the most famous and controversial novels of the 20th century. The novel centers on Humbert Humbert, a literature professor who becomes obsessively infatuated with Dolores Haze—a 12-year-old girl and the daughter of his landlady, Charlotte—whom he nicknames "Lolita." Humbert's story begins with his early sexual fixation on young girls, whom he refers to as "nymphets," stemming from a thwarted childhood romance.
The plot thickens as Humbert marries Charlotte merely to be near Lolita, and following Charlotte's accidental death, Humbert becomes Lolita's guardian, effectively kidnapping her. The story unfolds as a road narrative, detailing their cross-country travels, which serve both to satiate Humbert's desires and to isolate Lolita. Throughout their travels, Humbert manipulates and controls Lolita, with the relationship turning increasingly toxic and abusive. Critics have dissected the novel's exploration of themes such as obsession, manipulation, and the destructiveness of an adult's sexual fixation on a child.
Lolita has been adapted into films by directors Stanley Kubrick and Adrian Lyne. Its publication was met with controversy due to its provocative subject matter but has since been acclaimed for its literary prowess. The term "Lolita" has since entered the popular lexicon, reflecting the novel's profound impact on culture. The novel has spurred debates on censorship, artistic freedom, and the moral responsibilities of authors and readers alike.
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About the author
Vladimir Nabokov
Vladimir Nabokov, born on April 22, 1899, in Saint Petersburg, Russia, emerged as one of the most distinguished writers of the 20th century. His early life in an elite, trilingual household laid the foundation for his multifaceted literary career. After inheriting and then losing a family estate during the Bolshevik Revolution, Nabokov fled Bolshevik rule, leading a life of exile across Europe and eventually in the United States.
Nabokov's literary career began in Berlin, where he first garnered attention as a writer under the pseudonym Vladimir Sirin. Though his initial works were in Russian, his transition to English with the move to the United States marked the beginning of his widespread international acclaim. His novel Lolita (1955), infamous for its controversial subject matter, achieved phenomenal success and is often heralded as his masterpiece.
Apart from his literary achievements, Nabokov made significant contributions to the field of entomology and was a respected chess problem composer. His academic tenure in the United States included positions at Wellesley College and Cornell University, where he influenced a generation of students with his unique teaching philosophy and emphasis on the aesthetic pleasures of literature.
Nabokov's later years were spent in Montreux, Switzerland, where he continued writing until his death on July 2, 1977. His legacy includes not only his novels but also his contributions to literary criticism and the study of lepidoptery. Despite controversies surrounding some of his themes, his position in the cannon of 20th-century literature is undisputed, reflecting a legacy that transcends geographical and linguistic boundaries.
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