Monday 9 April 2012

H

H is for 'Humbert'.
I, for one, have a very different opinion of Lolita (read about it here). I hate Humbert too, not that I don't. But, I don't think he's gross. I mean, come on, Lola was a child, but she wasn't immature. She wasn't traumatised either. I am against abuse, but Humbert truly loved her. And love can never be limited by age. Sigh!
I have re-read Lolita twice, just to hate him like most other readers do, I have failed.

Lolita & Humbert (from the 1962 movie)

If you are reading this and haven't read the book, you should. This kind of novel is not written too often and Nabokov has worked true magic here. I Hate him, I don't Hate him too.

9 comments:

S. L. Hennessy said...

I always kind of agreed with this. He's hateful, but not. I mean. on the one hand eww, but on the other he DID love her. Right?

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

I don't hate him, either. In fact, I kinda feel sorry for him. I don't LIKE him, but I don't hate him. Kinda like the main character in "Of Human Bondage." (Philip, maybe? I'm too lazy to go look at the book right now.) You almost want to hate him for being so foolish, but in the end, just feel very sorry for him.

Udita Banerjee said...

That's what, right!? Glad to see people agreeing here...

Udita Banerjee said...

That's what, right!? Glad to see people agreeing here...

Mimi said...

he creeps me out. "love" what is love? a responsible adult does not love a child that way. Bottom line.
Mimi Torchia Boothby Watercolors

Teresa Cypher said...

Hi, effervescencia I deplore the nature of their relationship. I live in a culture where the ages involved make it taboo--and do realize that in many places in the world, it is accepted. So, what I am expressing agrees with my culture., I think he was twisted and in the wrong. But, :-) I am human, and the author did do an incredible job of baring the soul of the man. I did feel sorry for him; his life was tragic. The author conveyed that well. Lolita's life was just as tragic, though, and she was forced into a situation she should never have been. The time in which it was written, there was more tolerance for pedophilia. And incest too often garnered a blind eye by those who were aware.

It is amazing that it's included in so many lists of the top 100 books. Recently I read a newly released book by and Indie author, and it included a strange sexual ritual done by a strange creature (the book was fantasy). And...perhaps I am a coward, but I have not left a review. He has only a couple of reviews and I know why. It just isn't tolerated today. A lot of small publishers have disclaimers posted on their submissions guidelines that inform writers that they do not accept any rape, incest or pedophilia stories.

So, though Lolita was written in another day, another time, I can't help but have my opinion of Humbert, be jaded by today.

Whew...I feel like I just tap danced a marathon around giving a direct answer.

Interesting post :-)

Udita Banerjee said...

@Teresa: Wow, you really do feel stongly about it! Fair enough, there are always different opinions that this book elicits; maybe that's why it's considered such a good book.
And the tap dance? Wonderful :)

JoJo said...

Never read this but did see the movie. I always refer to dirty old men as 'humbert humbert' lol

Udita Banerjee said...

@JoJo: Lol... that's a good one. Whispering to someone 'Oh what a Humbert Humbert he is!'