lolita

Totally not what I expected. Now that I have finished it, I find it very interesting to compare perception with expectation with current 'reality' with 1955 'reality'. As Vladimir Nabokov himself says, 'reality' is "...one of the few words that mean nothing without quotes."

So true. This entire novel was an exercise in 'reality': Humbert's, Dolores', Charlotte's... The fact that Lolita is Humbert's reality of Dolores... (That won't make sense unless you've read the book.) One of the publishers who refused to print Lolita said it was because the novel had no 'good guys'. Nabokov said the book was without moral. There are no redeeming characters or qualities. It presents itself as its own reality without apology. It exists. It explains. It does not justify. It made me squirm. It fascinated me.
I will read it again.