BOOKS

Lolita At 50, And Forever Young

Everything you need to know about literature's most misunderstood girl, including her real name

By David Gates | NEWSWEEK

Published Oct 11, 2008

From the magazine issue dated Oct 20, 2008

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Discuss

Posted By: lagata @ 10/25/2008 10:03:58 PM

Comment: Many thanks to David Gates for the thought-provoking and informative discussion of this august novel on its 50th (!) anniversary. I myself first read it as a sixteen year old girl, and have found myself returning to it every 5 or 10 years since (more for the exquisite craft of the writing than for its grotesquely captivating subject matter, though). But, as Mr. Gates has shown me, there's still a lot to be gleaned from the worn pages of this book! I imagine there are many others like me who appreciate deeply this fine essay on a truly great work of literature.
Posted By: brogowski @ 10/14/2008 5:54:19 PM

Comment: I don't agree with censorship and I certainly feel that this novel should be available to anyone wanting to read it. That being said, having been a sexually abused young girl, I found the novel incredibly disturbing. This book is about abuse, not time. Abuse is always terrible, we should not feel any remorse for the character, the world would be a better place if someone shot him in the head. We should feel sadness for Lolita and what has been robbed from her. Children should be given tenderness and love and should not be objects of desire for some sick old man. Lolita is not an "empowering" character, she should receive our sorrow.
Posted By: Irisdaisy @ 10/14/2008 5:00:11 PM

Comment: "Lolita" has spread even further in it's 50 years than the article mentioned. There is actually a street fashion originating in Japan that goes by the name of Lolita. We are constantly forced to make others understand that Lolita is not about being some kind of sexually promiscuous teenager, but rather as a symbol of youth's beauty and power. The fashion is characterized by large poofy skirts and cute and childish patterns. Lolita has developed from being a poignant work of literature to something know around the world in it's 50 years. Congratulations Lolita.
Posted By: Clevenger @ 10/14/2008 4:16:27 PM

Comment: CENSORSHIP is alive and well in the USA. Try finding a copy of HUCK FINN that has not been sanatized. Try finding a "banned" book on the shelves. Not there. You have to request a copy from the librarian. If this article is "shameless propaganda", why does the ALA release a list of books that are "NO-NO'S". Censorship does not take overt forms such as outright bans or book burning. It occurs covertly, with lists from sources such as the ALA. And propogated by organizations such as SAFE LIBRARIES. CENSORSHIP IS ALIVE AND WELL IN THE USA! Thanks to articles such as this one, we can see it for ourselves.
Posted By: Clevenger @ 10/14/2008 4:00:45 PM

Comment: CENSORSHIP is alive and well in the USA. Try getting HUCK FINN in a form that is not sanatized. It might not take the form overtly, but it does covertly. Try finding tbese "banned" books on the shelves. You have to make a specific request of the librarian. If we have more freedom than the rest of the world, why does the ALA have a need to suggest restrictions of our reading lists.
Posted By: Sinibaldi @ 10/13/2008 10:40:32 AM

Comment: Memories.

Sweet and
beautiful memories
in my mind, like
a delicate wind
that always
remembers the
breath of your
life.

Francesco Sinibaldi
Posted By: SafeLibraries.org @ 10/11/2008 11:30:21 PM

Comment: This article perpetuates "shameless propaganda." No books have been banned in the USA for many decades. See http://preview.tinyurl.com/sowell
Posted By: SafeLibraries.org @ 10/11/2008 11:28:37 PM

Comment: This article perpetuates the "banned books" myth. Actually, no books have been banned in the USA for many decades. http://preview.tinyurl.com/sowell