Lolita: Part 2, Chapters 1 - 17 (Contains Spoilers)

[Kara]

In this thread, we will discuss the start of Part 2, chapter 1, through chapter 17.

[Alicia]

Some parts of this section were unbearable, specifically chapters 1and 2. This rambling recounting of their travels was like reading a messy outline of the trip instead of an actual narrative, which made it hard for me to read. I am getting the impression that our Humbert is getting a little sick of his Lolita. He more frequently refers to her as Dolores instead of Lolita and seems to be focused on her flaws instead of marveling at her perfection. I love how "woe is me" he acts, as well, when Lolita rebels against him or acts like a typical teenager and how he still considers himself to be a decent guy, even after casually mentioning that she cries herself to sleep every night. I don't think it's Humbert's imagination that Lo has something up her sleeve for this road trip, and has likely laid out some sort of trap for him. I think I can guess who is involved with Lo, but I'll read on instead of speculating.

[Clare L]

I found the first few chapters were very drawn out, and found it hard to get through. Wasn't until she started to go to school that it picked up.

Oh Humbert Humbert... whatever sympathy I had for you in part I is gone. In part I of the book, he had his perverse cravings but for the most part kept it to himself. Part II made me despise him, instead of being the role model and guardian to Lolita, instead he uses her mother's death as a way coerce her into staying with him or be sent to an awful foster home (which he kindly remembers her of), and then basically sleeps with her nightly even though she is crying, has pains afterwards, and basically he knows it's no longer mutual and she is doing it for some extra cash, favours and to have a roof over her head. The way this book is written makes you want to sympathize with him understand his plight, oh poor Humbert he never slept with that one girl from his youth, he has such horrible cravings, SHE seduced him, she says such awful things to him, she acts out all the time! UGH poor Humbert!! He is too self absorbed to realize how much damage he is doing to the poor girl and not realizing his jealousy is taking her away from having a somewhat normal childhood. He doesn't love or care, this is lust over an ideal and you can tell he doesn't even really like her personality. Probably the most disgusting thing he wrote was when he mentioned producing another nymphet (probably to fondle) with her and maybe even his grandchildren! Gross! Anyways rant over!

This book has been very interesting, and takes a unique perspective of the mind of a pedophile. it is so wonderfully written that at times you feel for Humbert, even though what he is doing is wrong wrong wrong. I am curious what Lolita has in store for him! I really hope she plays a part in him being found out!

[Jenn]

I still enjoy reading this book even though the subject matter is just awful. Some things that I am finding difficult to understand in this book are 1) how Humbert is getting by for years without holding down a job, but always has enough money to spoil Lolita, and 2) there does not seem to be a bit of concern about Lolita becoming pregnant - how are they avoiding this?

The end of this section had me wondering if the gun is about to come into play in the story. I have a feeling that his bad deeds are going to come to be discovered in a dramatic way. I'm excited to get to a part where we see him punished or suffering for what he's done to Lolita. I don't think there can be a happy ending for her no matter what.

[Karen]

This section was very drawn out and took a long time to get through. I'm liking Humbert less as it goes on, but am intrigued to see how the book ends.