Being Lolita

A Memoir

By: Alisson Wood

Narrated by: Alisson Wood

Length: 6 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's Summary

This program is read by the author.

A dark romance evolves between a high-schooler and her English teacher in this breathtakingly powerful memoir about a young woman who must learn to rewrite her own story.

“Have you ever read Lolita?”

So begins 17-year-old Alisson’s metamorphosis from student to lover and then victim. A lonely and vulnerable high-school senior, Alisson finds solace only in her writing - and in a young, charismatic English teacher, Mr. North.

Mr. North gives Alisson a copy of Lolita to read, telling her it is a beautiful story about love. The book soon becomes the backdrop to a connection that blooms from a simple crush into a forbidden romance. But as Mr. North’s hold on her tightens, Alisson is forced to evaluate how much of their narrative is actually a disturbing fiction.

In the wake of what becomes a deeply abusive relationship, Alisson is faced again and again with the story of her past, from rereading Lolita in college to working with teenage girls to becoming a professor of creative writing. It is only with that distance and perspective that she understands the ultimate power language has had on her - and how to harness that power to tell her own true story.

Being Lolita is a stunning coming-of-age memoir that shines a bright light on our shifting perceptions of consent, vulnerability, and power. This is the story of what happens when a young woman realizes her entire narrative must be rewritten - and then takes back the pen to rewrite it.  

A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books  

"Being Lolita is an unflinching depiction of grooming and a searing indictment of exploitative teachers, but most of all it’s an act of redemption - a powerful realization of Wood’s vow 'to do the little I can to make sure what happened to me doesn’t happen again.'" (Susan Choi, author of the National Book Award-winning Trust Exercise)

"Wood reminds us that stories still have the power to change the world. This is a fascinating story of survival and purpose, yet it is also a story of interpretation. How we read the world changes how we live in it. A fantastic debut." (Garrard Conley, author of Boy Erased)

©2020 Alisson Wood (P)2020 Macmillan Audio

Painfully, beautifully written

I heard Professor Wood on “Terrible, Thanks for Asking,” and immediately ordered this book. I was not disappointed...it’s impossible to put down, it’s beautifully read, and the language is lush and gorgeous. The honesty that underpins a dark, disturbing story is almost unbearable, as is the pain - both understood and not understood - by young Alisson as Mr. North draws her into his web. I appreciated the manner in which the author analyzed “Lolita” in the context of her experience, both as a teenager and then as a college professor, and in a larger societal sense. I recall as a college student that a woman who lived on my hall was dating her high school math teacher - and had been, openly, since she was 17. I was appalled, but also very sad for this young woman and the Corvette-driving jerk she came to college engaged to. I don’t know how things ended up for her, but I shiver anew that no one - her parents, her other teachers - didn’t see this for what it was - a deeply inappropriate and harmful manipulation of a child. This book should be required reading for every high school teacher - and maybe even every high school girl - so that there can be no question that such behavior isn’t romantic or a love between equals - it’s pedophilia, and it’s not okay.

Painful, but well written

This book was written and performed very well. I, however, couldn't finish it. The parts reflecting the abuse she went through cut into my soul and I was unable to finish it. if you are a super, overly empathetic person, you may struggle to finish as I did. Aside from that, though, it is a well written book and is performed excellently. If you can get through tough descriptions of mental and verbal abuse then I definitely recommend this book.

Great!

I have been searching local libraries and book stores to fine a copy of Being Lolita. The story seemed captivating. I am so glad a went the audiobook route. A well written story full of hard truths and a vision of the world that is all too familiar with young girls.

Love this

Made me quiz my high school age children about their teachers. Don’t like word limits/minimums

Surreal

Wow! Alisson really brought what happened to her in plain view for all to see. My abuser also gave me the book Lolita and asked me to read it. The pain of the secrets I held for my abuser did a number on me and how Alisson put that into words was sheer brilliance. Thank you for writing it, Alisson. It will help in me in my Therapy practice as a Mental Health Professional.

WOW! Truly a MASTERPIECE!!!

Raw, transparent, therapeutic, eye-opening, infuriating, healing, and truly (as stated earlier), a MASTERPIECE! Now I must go read the Nabokov Lolita book and all of the others Professor Wood listed at the end of her book.

I found so many instances she spoke of that were relatable to my own trauma from abusive partners throughout the years. I could just FEEL her words and emotions. As if to validate my own feelings from my own experiences and I must say, I am SO proud of her, and so proud of me! Thank you so much Professor Wood!

A very reliable narrator!

I can’t say I love this book, because I hate what happened. However, this book is full of hard feelings and truths that needed to be told!

Very insightful.

I hate that books like these are written. I hate that we as women have to continue to talk about the things that happen to us, the victimization, the heartbreak. At the same time, I am so glad this one exists. It is an insightful look into one girl’s journey to womanhood after being groomed, surviving horrendous abuse, and her process of healing. Incredibly well written.

Brilliant. Just brilliant.

Wood is a voice for so many voiceless that rings ever clear, true, insightful, and vibrant. What a light in so much dark.

story was mild, written fine

this guy sounds like an ass .. this relationship was inappropriate and that teacher was sick. but it also hear read like many shitty boyfriends I or my friends had.
the twist here was supposed to be cause he was her teacher. many men in those positions act the same way.
much is that inherent privilege men and boys have. it's all about their inherent desire for sex that should be given them.
but this book was really just about as shitty boyfriend and relationship. a normal shitty boring relationship. except that guy was hitting on her and grooming her while still her teacher.
I applaud the author's honesty and must of all her being smart enough to figure out it was unhealthy! and get away.
on A final note, it doesn't escape my notice that the desensitization I have just displayed in this review.. is indeed another sick problem to these events.