Lolita [AUDIOBOOK] [UNABRIDGED] (Audio Cassette)

~ Vladimir Nabokov (Author), Jeremy Irons (Reader)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Vladimir Nabokov's Lolita triggers a deep conflict within the American psyche about crossing the line between love and the perverse lust for a child. In the bestselling audiobook, Jeremy Irons delivers a smooth, calculating presentation of Humbert Humbert, the middle-aged man obsessed with a 13-year-old girl named Lolita. Following a failed marriage to a "large, puffy, short-legged, big-breasted and practically brainless baba," Humbert decides to move to America to work as a tutor. Much to his dismay, his plans change and he moves into a boarding house in Ramsdale, New Hampshire. But his disappointment quickly fades after he realizes he lives next door to the "light of my life, fire of my loins. My sin, my soul Lo-li-ta." The relationship blossoms between the man "with a cesspool of rotting monsters behind his slow boyish smile" and the sassy, vivacious young girl.

The Russian-born author has amazing control of the English language--his jaw-dropping prose comes through powerfully on this audiotape (though some scholars believe the novel symbolizes Nabokov's internal struggle with the English language). Regardless of whether you condemn or condone the classic, listening to this audio rendition is a must. --Gina Kaysen (Running time: 11.5 hours)

From Library Journal

This unabridged edition of Nabokov's classic story about a middle-aged, expatriate European man's obsessive love for a 12-year-old girl?which is being released to coincide with director Adrian Lyne's new film version?is a beautifully produced recording that pushes the boundaries of the audio medium. While Lolita continues to raise the hackles of would-be censors even today, most listeners will marvel at the restraint and playful humor with which Nabokov limns his tale. Narrator Jeremy Irons, who plays Humbert Humbert in Lyne's film, is an uncompromising audiobook reader whose performances on cassette are as laudatory as his Academy AwardR-winning work on the silver screen. This landmark release is highly recommended for all library collections.?Mark Annichiarico, "Library Journal"
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Random House Audio; Unabridged edition (April 7, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679457860
• ISBN-13: 978-0679457862
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 4.2 x 2.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #954,699 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #63 in	Books > Literature & Fiction > Authors, A-Z > ( N ) > Nabokov, Vladimir
  #73 in	Books > Literature & Fiction > Classics > United States > Nabokov, Vladimir
  #93 in	Books > Books on Cassette > Literature & Fiction > Literary Classics

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most seductive bedtime story-teller ever..., March 5, 2002

By	"sophia2k" (Budapest Hungary) - See all my reviews

Reading `Lolita' is a decisive moment in every reader's life. If it isn't for the controversial issue or the overwhelming narrative, then it's for the unique half-ironizing, half-desperate tone that Nabokov and nymphets will stay in our minds forever. As I see it, the book is no light meal; it has to ripen like fine wine in the reader's own dark vault.
Listening to Jeremy Irons' voice performance is about as decisive for the literary gourmet as the reading of the book. Quite simply, Irons has THE voice for the text as well as he has THE looks for a silver screen Humbert. This trained, sophisticated British voice with its alternating speed and tone irresistibly lures the listener into Humbert's secret world. Irons has amazing command of his text. The job's extremely difficult, given the sheer size and the draining complexity of the Nabokovian text; but Irons has the talent to show the taste of every single word, so that the plainest descriptive bit turns into textual pleasure. (He manages elegantly even with the French quotes; an additional delight!) Needless to say, pleasure peaks at the rare love moments Humbert and Lolita share. Forbidden passion vibrates in Irons' dark-chocolate voice that virtually melts along with Humbert's lonely ecstasies and despairs. Yes, it's mainly about pleasure - Irons delivers all the delight and harmony that Humbert never experienced. To put it briefly, this 12-hour voice performance is a pleasure you would not want to miss. So, buy and enjoy!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An elegant and remarkable reading, June 30, 2000

By	Bruce Whitaker (Antioch, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As a purist, I had never considered purchasing an audio book until a friend strongly advised me to get hold of Jeremy Irons reading of Lolita. As much to lighten my long dreary commute as to humor My friend, I purchased the tapes half thinking I was throwing away good money.

Nabokov's Lolita had for me, always been a singular experience, a unique book--an enigma. I was almost repelled by the thought that semiliterates would lazily buy the audio book just to 'get the story.'

Having just completed my first listening of Mr. Irons' reading, I must warn future listeners to expect to find yourself sitting in parking lots or garages still listening to the tape long after your drive has ended. This beautifully rendered reading adds so much color and often underlines or emphasizes puns, sarcasm and ironies possibly overlooked in a hurried reading.

Irons has masterfully converted the written word into a virutally perfectly adapted first person reading of this truly great novel. Highly recommend.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jeremy Irons...What a treasure!, April 24, 2000

By	"nanoni" (Auburndale, Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

This is my third reading of Lolita... the audiotape version. It is one of my most favorite books of all time... now narrated by Jeremy Irons. Jeremy Irons' beautifully nuanced voice is like reading Lolita for the first time. What a treasure!