Terminus

I'm sorry, everyone, but it is time to end this blog.  Over the past few months, I have really enjoyed immersing myself in the blogosphere, reading, writing, and experimening with new things.  Unfortunately, it's time for a change.

My son, Alexander, was born eight weeks early this week, and I have to readjust my focus.  Instead of blogging, and doing things to blog about, I am going to need to spend time just being--with Alex, with his older siblings, with my husband, and with my God. 

Thanks for the fun.

Book Review: Lolita

"You can always count on a murderer for a fancy prose style"

Book Details:

School & Library Binding: 336 pages

Publisher: Turtleback; 1st Vintage International Ed edition (April 1, 1997)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0613706250

Review:

I have read enough reviews with cautious admissions that the reader enjoyed Nabokov's Lolita.  I am not going to be cautious.  I loved it!  Sure, it was not subject matter that I found particularly appealing, and our society does--and must, I think--hold pederasty in the highest contempt.  However, this was a fantastically written novel, and I think everyone should be required to read it.

I won't give away much of the plot through my review because I believe this is the first book on the list that everyone MUST read, and I am fairly certain that many people avoid it.  I initially wanted to read it before the arrival of the next baby, simply because I thought people would frown upon a newly delivered mother reading Lolita.  Surely, there is some stigma attatched to the book.

On the other hand, most people will gladly watch Law and Order: SVU or other incarnations of the series, all of which are significantly more explicit than Lolita.  There were no incredibly explicit scenes, no "pornography" or anything like it.  In fact, reducing Lolita to the pederasty is akin to describing a gourmet dinner of filet mignon to "beef and vegetables."  Nabokov's masterpiece is far too rich, nuanced, and developed to be painted with such a broad brush.

I could wax on and on about my thoughts on the book: the richly developed characters, the clever plot, the brilliant prose, but, suffice it to say, I thoroughly enjoyed Lolita.  It was the first book on the list that I have "loved," and I hope there are more like it.

Summary
Was this a good read?
You bet!  Fantastic!

Would I recommend it?
Without reservation.

Would I read it again?
And again, and again, and again.

Book Beginnings Friday: Lolita

Book Beginnings on Friday is a meme hosted by Becky at Page Turners. Anyone can participate; just share the opening sentence of your current read, making sure that you include the title and author so others know what you're reading. If you like, share with everyone why you do, or do not, like the sentence.

"Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins."

This is probably one of the cheesiest opening lines, ever!  First of all, it doesn't tell me anything I don't already know from pop culture and the cover.  Secondly, it's all cliche.  There is nothing new or inventive about "...light of my life, fire of my loins."  These trite phrases can be found in just about any book, poem, or song lyric picked at random.

I already know that Nabokov is a master of prose, but this opening sentence is not his best...

Friday Fill-in 170

1. All you need is a hug from your beautiful children.



2. Listening to conversations between the kids fills me with laughter.


3. Each generation, as it grows up, has a chance to change the world.


4. A return to normal spring weather is something I have a hard time dealing with.


5. A trip to North Carolina is what I need.


6. Give generously to others and you get back.


7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to actually spending time with my husband, tomorrow my plans include baking for Easter and Sunday, I want to play in the sandbox!