I recently read Lolita and was really conflicted as to whether I liked it or not. In one sense it was an uncomfortable read but I found I couldn’t put it down. I see a lot of people saying that they hate it because Humbert is such a monster but surely that’s the point? Nabokov makes it such an uncomfortable read through putting it in first person; we are meant to slightly sympathise with Humbert (because of his unreliable narration) and then feel disgusted with ourselves. Combined with the ‘American Dream’/Academia/Psychological Thriller aesthetic it’s almost as much a mockery of society and its romanticisation of crime as The Secret History. This is even proven by Lolita’s resurgence in popular aesthetics and romanticisation.
I think the way people judge HH in the book, is the authors take on how he would be judged in real life. He is a p*dophile, but also a charming man. How many times are men forgiven in society? He is a likable person to many, and the book reflects that. He gets away with horrible crimes, becuase of people liking him. No consequences, legal or anything. At the end, many even feel sorry for him. Thats just how the world is. Its gross. I cant read the book without wanting to punch him in the face. Not a second where I find him charming. In real life, many girls will be charmed by some guy, and I wont be.