Sunday Jun 05, 2005

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Lolita is taking me forever to read because I keep re-reading and re-reading. The fun Nobokov seems to be having in the melifluous prose makes every sentence delectable. How has everyone not read this book?

I don't think it can work as a movie. The language itself is so seductive. The most mundane descriptions become somehow sexy because the rhythm and flow of the words lulls you in. You see Lolita through the eyes of Humbert Humbert, whereas in a movie you'd see a twelve-year-old girl. I haven't seen either of the movies all the way through, however.

I find it interesting that literature seems to be the only medium exempt from cultural taboos. Thoughts?
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venice:
I got a job as a file clerk at a law firm that a friend of a friend works at as a paralegal. I'm really excited about it, because it's actually the perfect job for me.

I think it has been too long since I read that book to be able to have coherent thoughts on it. Which is unfortunate... Maybe I should read it again.
kundalini:
I can't say for certain, I wasn't around back then, but thinking of the publishing industry in specific rather than American culture in general, I think that the major houses were a lot more daring with the materia they would print back then. These days, I think the fear of hysterical backlash from bible-toting fundamentalists considerably shortens the list of topics that a company may sink money into.

Perhaps it is the culture of blame that has changed in society since the 50's. I can imagine Lolita published and only stirring up a small cloud of conservative sentiment over its material. I also imagine that these days, a lot of King James Version quoting middle Americans would blame it for the teen pregnancies at the local high school, as well as the downfall of morality in general and Janet's half-time show nipple extravaganza.

Hmmm, that leads me to another thought. Lolita isn't on a lot of banned book lists. At least not near the tops of them - but then I don't of a single high school teacher who wouild touch that book at school. Usually those lists are generated by parents who are upset over what teachers are assigning as reading material. Honestly, the book hardly comes up at all in discussion outside of university circles.

Sorry for this ramble, I just got on a roll.

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