Humbert Humbert is a Frenchman who meets Annabel Leigh, a 12-year-old child. After falling in love with each other -- and a failed attempt at intercourse -- she dies of a disease. Humbert later describes his affection toward “nymphets,” girls between ages nine and 14 and his disapproval of society’s rules about men who fancy girls under the age of 16. He marries Valeria, a childish woman, to mask his disgusting urges. He is then notified of his inheritance from a late uncle that can only be obtained if he moved to America, but Valeria does not want to leave Paris. She then confesses to having an affair, leaving Humbert feeling betrayed even though he did not love her. He lives in New York until his late uncle’s friend, Mr. McCoo, asks Humbert to visit. Humbert, excited to meet this friend’s 12-year-old daughter, almost arrives but learns that McCoo’s house burned down. Humbert then stays with Charlotte Haze and her daughter, Dolores, who Humbert later calls Lolita. After staying three weeks, Mrs. Haze falls madly in love with Humbert, who only marries her to remain close to Lolita. Humbert secretly writes letters about his love for Lolita and his hatred for his wife. While Lolita was away at Camp Q, Charlotte finds his letters and goes mad, runs to the street, and gets in a lethal accident. Humbert felt guilty although there was no blood on his hands. He decided to pick up his legal daughter from camp and go on a road trip across America with his love. Lolita gives Humbert consent to kissing and intercourse as they travel from hotel to motel throughout the course of a year. A strange figure follows them along the way. Lolita learns how to manipulate Humbert, but he threatens to put her in an orphanage if she does not do what he pleases. He then accepts a job at Beardsley College where Lolita is enrolled. Humbert regrets this because Lolita becomes interested in boys her age, which leads to another road trip, taking her away from her somewhat normal life. The strange figure from before still follows them, which makes Humbert suspicious. Lolita becomes sick and is hospitalized. The broken-hearted Humbert tries to find his love over the next two years until he receives a letter from Lolita, asking him for money to support her new family. He finds her, begs to stay together, and gets rejected. She tells him that Clare Quilty was her ‘kidnapper,’ and Humbert immediately leaves, finds him, and kills him. Humbert lives the rest of his days in jail where he writes his memoir. After Lolita dies during childbirth, Humbert dies of heart failure and his writings are sent to Dr. John Ray, Jr. |