The real Lolita

the kidnapping of Sally Horner and the novel that scandalized the world

306 pages

English language

Published May 15, 2018

ISBN:
978-0-06-266192-0
Copied ISBN!
OCLC Number:
1033580811

View on OpenLibrary

2 stars (1 review)

"In 1948, Sally Horner was just eleven years old when she was kidnapped by a man claiming to be an FBI agent. Seven years later, Vladimir Nabokov published Lolita, perhaps the most seminal novel of the twentieth century. Sarah Weinman's investigation into how the two are connected is a thrilling, heartbreaking mix of literary scholarship and true-crime writing."--back cover.

9 editions

Disappointing

2 stars

Mixed feelings about this one, mostly disappointment. I agree with the author that it was sad Sally Horner's story was mostly forgotten...but only in the general sense that it's equally sad that so many other stories have been lost. Her failed attempt to tie her story in fundamental way to Nabokov's novel does nothing to help and, in fact, the author's flailing to make her surmises more material actually detract from the Sally's story by making it seem like Sally's story only matters because of this would-be connection.

And the author can't have it both ways: she says she isn't taking away from Nabokov's artistry, but she clearly implies otherwise and even makes what reads to me like a clear allegation about Nabokov's inner feelings that are just the kind of false accusation I think he was trying to head off by being as vague about any sources that contributed …

Subjects

  • Kidnapping
  • Child abuse
  • Captivity
  • Case studies

Places

  • United States