The Lolita Journey
Nabokov Nights Reading Schedule, Recommendations, and a note for my Eloise
I am a day late, but still thrilled to announce our upcoming journey through Vladimir Nabokov's masterpiece, Lolita. Over 8 weeks (starting Feb. 16th), we will delve into this controversial and thought-provoking novel, exploring its rich themes, intricate narrative, and the complexities of its characters, as well as its influence on pop culture, cover designs, books about the reading of Lolita, and more.
Our reading schedule is designed to provide a balanced pace that allows for in-depth discussions and reflections on each section. Whether you're revisiting this classic or encountering it for the first time, I hope this journey will spark engaging conversations and deepen our appreciation for Nabokov's literary genius.
I look forward to embarking on this literary adventure with all of you and exploring the depths of Lolita together.
The Schedule
Week 1, February 16th - 22nd: Part One, Chapter 1-3
Week 2, February 23rd - 29th: Part One, Chapter 4-6
Week 3, March 1st - 7th: Part One, Chapter 7-10
Week 4, March 8th - 14th: Part Two, Chapter 1-3
Week 5, March 15th - 21st: Part Two, Chapter 4-6
Week 6, March 22nd - March 28th: Part Two, Chapter 7-9
Week 7, March 29th - April 4th: Part Two, Chapter 10-11
Week 8, April 5th - April 11th: Part Two, Chapter 12-14
Pre Reading Recs.
If you are excited to get started, and like me, are afraid the excitement will wane in the next few weeks before we get started, I put together a short list of pop culture references related to "Lolita" that you can explore over the next week (if you want more, let me know! I am certainly provide it)!
Lana Del Rey's song Lolita from her album "Born to Die" is obviously inspired by the novel and can provide a musical backdrop to the reading experience but the allusions don’t stop there! After all, the romanticization of Vladimir Nabokov’s 1955 was the Tumblr-aesthetic in the 2010s! You probably remember vignettes of heart-shaped sunglasses (I have a do have a pair), bubblegum and cherries posted under #lolita and #lanadelrey. Lana often writes about relationships with older men and, in songs like Off To The Races, Carmen, and This Is What Makes Us Girls, she refers to these relationships by referencing Nabokov’s novel, misrepresenting it as a tragic, forbidden love story. Lana Del Ray is the ultimate representation of the girlish aesthetic of lollipops and frills that lives on in TikTok’s coquette aesthetic even today.
There are also several film adaptations of Lolita, including Stanley Kubrick's 1962 film and Adrian Lyne's 1997 version. Kubrick's adaptation of Lolita is known for its controversial portrayal of the novel. It explores the relationship between Humbert Humbert and Dolores Haze (Lolita) with a mix of dark humor and psychological depth. Lyne’s, apparently, depicts the relationship with even greater intensity and sensuality. I have personally never either movie but I have read a lot about Sue Lyons (pictured above), the Lolita from Kubrick’s adaptation. Here is an academic text titled, The exploitation of Sue Lyon: Lolita (1962), archival research, and questions for film history that I highly recommend.
I devoured this amazing podcast, Lolita Podcast, with Jamie Loftus. She covers Lolita and in the podcast’s intro, says it has been “adapted, misinterpreted, and twisted over the years by Hollywood, by music, by fashion, by fans of the book, and, occasionally, by the author himself.” Loftus covers the movies, the operas, ballets, and even!!!! a Broadway musical. Somewhere along the way, she argues, the cultural narrative has been reworked to frame her as “the seductress and to blame for what happens to her.” It is well worth the listen.
Personally, I will be reading this in the next few weeks leading up to the start of our official reading journey. It was recommended by a friend (shout out to Mackenzie!) but I know very little to this point except that it is about the author’s experiences reading banned books during a revolution in Iran. It is broken up into four sections: Lolita, Gatsby, James, and Austen. My library didn’t have it available so are bringing a copy in for me! I hope to have it started before next Friday.
Eloise
And finally, I want to make a note about why this was late. My sweet baby Eloise is unfortunately no longer with us. She has crossed the rainbow bridge, or whatever it is they say, and my family is deeply mourning her loss. Rest in Peace, Oise girl. Thank you picking me, loving our tiny humans, and for all the beautiful memories.
