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Literary Fiction· Russia

Lolita

by Vladimir Nabokov
Aggregate Editorial Score44/100
TIME 100 Best Novels
Published 1955336 pagesEnglish
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About This Book

Published in 1955, Lolita established Vladimir Nabokov as one of the defining voices in literary fiction. Humbert Humbert, a European intellectual, narrates his obsession with twelve-year-old Dolores Haze—Lolita—in prose of extraordinary beauty and moral complexity. Nabokov's controversial masterpiece is simultaneously a love letter to the English language and a profound study in self-deception and the destruction of innocence. Themes of obsession, language, moral ambiguity run through the work. The book has received recognition from TIME 100 Best Novels 1955.

Book Details

AuthorVladimir Nabokov
Published1955
Country of Origin🇷🇺 Russia
LanguageEnglish
Pages336
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9780679723165
Editorial Score44/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇷🇺 Russia

This book is part of Russia's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from Russia →

Editorial Assessment

First published in 1955, Vladimir Nabokov's Lolita is a work of literary fiction that has drawn sustained interest from critics and prize committees alike. Its engagement with obsession, language, moral ambiguity, childhood gives the book a depth that extends well beyond its genre. Critics and institutions have consistently placed Lolita among the notable works of its period. Among its recognitions: TIME 100 Best Novels 1955. Our aggregate score of 44/100 is compiled from 1 editorial sources that range from Nobel and Booker committees to leading literary journals. Readers coming to Lolita for the first time will find a work that rewards patience. The book's handling of obsession, language, moral ambiguity, childhood is layered rather than didactic, and a second reading often reveals dimensions the first pass only hinted at. Lolita reflects Vladimir Nabokov's place in a wider literary tradition. The book's concerns resonate with Russia's broader cultural preoccupations, even as they reach beyond any single national context.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

TIME 100 Best Novels
list · global
195521
✍️
About the Author
Vladimir Nabokov
Russia
View Author →

Vladimir Nabokov is a celebrated author from Russia known for influential works of literary fiction.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lolita about?

Humbert Humbert, a European intellectual, narrates his obsession with twelve-year-old Dolores Haze—Lolita—in prose of extraordinary beauty and moral complexity. Nabokov's controversial masterpiece is simultaneously a love letter to the English language and a profound study in self-deception and the destruction of innocence.

Who wrote Lolita?

Lolita was written by Vladimir Nabokov, from Russia. First published in 1955.

What awards has Lolita won?

Lolita has received the following awards and honours: TIME 100 Best Novels 1955.

Is Lolita worth reading?

Lolita is a book that has earned critical recognition, with an aggregate editorial score of 21/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 1 editorial source. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in obsession, language, moral ambiguity.

Where can I buy Lolita?

You can buy Lolita on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is Lolita?

Lolita is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is Lolita from?

Lolita originates from Russia's literary tradition. Explore more books from Russia on our country page.

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