Birthday of Lolita
Today is the day in 1955 that Vladimir Nabokov’s novel Lolita was first published.
Why could I possibly be celebrating a story I haven’t even read about middle-aged man who falls in love with a 12-year-old girl? Not for the story, or the subject matter, or even as a statement about censorship and publishing. No, I celebrate the publication because it was the turning point in Nabokov’s writing career. This book was so popular that he was able to give up his teaching position and write full-time.
I do not believe it is coincidence that the Writer’s Almanac ran this story today, the day after I wrote about buying a laptop, the modern equivalent of the writer’s Smith-Corona. The day after I wrote a post about dedicating myself more seriously to my writing, about burning my ship, so to speak, so that I had to move forward and conquer.
I think it is still possible to support one’s self entirely on writing. I hope it is and I hope, one day, to do just that.
One more thing…
A brief Craigslist update: I got another e-mail from a second person who knows this college sweetie that told me she’d tell her the next time they talked on the phone. Aha! One step closer this time, as it’s someone who’s actually, currently involved in her life.
Stay tuned for updates!
you should read it. one of my faves.
Weird. I seriously just bought Lolita yesterday. I told a ‘literature geek’ friend of mine about some books I enjoyed (namely American Psycho) and how the movie (which I watched only after finishing the book) didn’t do the writing justice….just one of those you have to read and relish. I’m seeing the same in Lolita, though I haven’t seen the movie…I just can’t imagine that even internal monologue would capture the essence of H.H. I’m gonna go ahead and suggest it before I’ve finished it. If it sucks, well, I guess I’ll send ya fourteen bucks. Oh, by the way, I’m Stacy. Nice to meet ya (came from The Daily Bitch). Have a good one…
Yeah, I should probably read it. It is, after all, a classic.
I did read some Nabakov not too long ago, Pale Fire, which I enjoyed quite well. But, right now, I’m trying to read through the giant pile of unread books that I’ve built up. I must have a year or two of reading there.