Lolita, by Vladimir Nabakov

I recently watched the movie The Bookshop (and enjoyed it).  Part of the plot was the bookseller's decision to stock the newly published, controversial novel Lolita, by Vladimir Nabakov.  I know of Lolita, but had never read it, so I checked out the audiobook and gave it a listen.

Well, talk about an overrated and overhyped book.  In my limited opinion, the only thing that sets Lolita apart is the scandal of its publication.  As is well-known, Lolita is about a middle-aged man who has an affair with a young girl.  I previously thought the man was her teacher, and he was her tutor, but he ended up becoming her mother's lover, then husband, so he could get access to Lolita.  When Lolita's mother died, he and Lolita hit the road, traveling across the U.S., carrying on their affair around the country.

The bottom line is it's a mediocre book about a taboo relationship.  The literary quality does not outweigh the ponderous narrative, the question of morality aside.  I remain convinced that the popularity and notoriety of the book remains only because of prurient interest and the historical anomaly of its publication.  Read it or don't, just don't expect a great book.