Lolita Book Review: Most Important Things to Know

Lolita, a highly controversial book, is not subject to bans in American schools. Here are the most important things you need to know about it.

Lolita is one of the books that have been under the spotlight for so many years. And it is still subject to bans around the world as it has a theme and topics that are very sensitive. It is about pedophilia, sexual desire, and psychological conditions that define rapists and it can represent an essential insight into the mind of people who commit these crimes. The book is the most well-known of the Russian author Vladimir Nabokov, who has written other books too.

At first, the book was banned in France and the UK, but over the years, many countries translated and published it, as society changes over the years. It is one of the books that is studied in college and university and it has a sly but dark comic tone. So, what are the most important things to know about the book? What should students who get an education and might need to read this book for their course or exam know about this highly controversial book?

The Protagonist is Humbert Humbert

What is interesting about this book is that the main character relates all the actions and events in this book to the past tense, while he spends time in prison and then in a psychiatric yard. The main idea of the book is rape and pedophilia and a romance between an adult man and a girl called Dolores, who he names Lolita. Humbert spends time at Claire’s house and he falls in love with her girl. Of course, he tries to keep this relationship away from the eyes of a society which would surely condemn it. At some point, Humbert gets into a conflict with Claire Quilty, another pedophile who has his eyes on Lolita.

As a student, you might want to find out more about Lolita, the book that was subject to so many bans around the world. You can search for the book summary and delve more into the actions of this book. The lolita summary can be found online easily and it helps you get familiar with the main actions and events in the book as well as with the main idea of the book and the plot review. The action is related, as mentioned above, to a prison cell approximately five years after all the events happened.

The foreword of the Novel

Any Lolita Book Review you will come across online mentions this essential fact about the book. The foreword of the book is related by John Ray, who supposedly happens after the death of Lolita and Humbert. He is a fictional psychologist and delves more into the themes and topics of this book, who is mainly about rape and pedophilia. It draws attention to the mental changes that happen inside the mind of the people who commit crimes and are convicted by society. It can represent an essential inquiry into the mind of rapists and a valuable witness for psychiatric and psychology specialists.

The Major Conflict

The major conflict within the book is, of course, between the main character and society. Pedophilia and rape are not accepted or tolerated during these times either. However, the book is a valuable insight into what really happens in these cases and it can represent a source of solutions for many health and prevention programs.

It took two years for Lolita to be published especially as the major conflict translates to today’s reality too. However, in the book, this is not the only conflict that exists. Claire is another pedophile who has his eyes on Lolita and tries to seduce him, which challenges Humbert’s view of her and his behavior. And, of course, when two pedophiles try to cement their possession of a little girl, the rivalry appears. The conflict is even more intense and this changes the turn of events and triggers strong emotional reactions in the mind of the main character.

Butterflies as Motifs

Vladimir Nabokov loved butterflies who appear as motifs in many of his books. They symbolize the death and rebirth of characters, and they are present in the Lolita book too. Butterflies are beautiful but so fragile and this is the exact idea the author tries to convey about Lolita.

Final Thoughts

Lolita, one of the books that were subject to bans all over the world, is now published in many countries. It is a fascinating book that treats sensitive themes, such as rape and pedophilia. The main conflict of the book is between the main character and society, which does not tolerate this behavior. However, it provides an essential insight into the mind of rapists and sheds more light on their thoughts. Even though it is a highly controversial book, it is a must-read as it is the main work and the most popular of the Russian author Vladimir Nabokov.