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Vladimir Nabokov on Lolita (Part 1)

1950

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Russian-American author Vladimir Nabokov (1899–1977) discusses his novel Lolita in this 1950 CBC interview. He explains that, despite the assertions of critics, he has no desire to touch the hearts or minds of his readers, and that the book was not written with any satirical intention. The author also describes the inspiration behind the tale of Lolita and her middle-aged lover.

Nabokov explains why he chose a 'peculiar and debased' love to explore new and interesting themes, not just of eroticism and abhorrence, but of tenderness and compassion.

Chapters

• Vladimir Nabokov on Lolita Part 2

  5 min 51 sec

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