Lolita (Vladimir Nabokov)

I had wanted to read this book for some time, then second guessed myself when I found it in the Salvation Army for $2. But after reading the first paragraph I immediately put off any previously formulated reading plans I may have had, and decided to settle in for a Nabokov novel (only my second so far). I absolutely loved it at first. It was just the right combination of vulgarity, candor, and smartassed criticism of human stupidity. The lofty language and the constant esoteric references (including phrases of French with no translation) often frustrated me and sometimes seemed kind of stupidly elitist. On the other hand, Nabokov's writing is amazing, to the point that he must be forgiven for being an unabashed snob. The second half of the book was kind of disappointing, although I'm not sure why. Maybe I feel that the premise of the book (a very intriguing premise) is one that is not effectively sustainable for the length that it continues to develop. Somehow I think I lost part of my investment in the book, meaning the story and the language. I was sick of looking words up in the dictionary? I don't know, maybe it's my fault. I feel that I'm not doing this book justice, so I'll say that I fully understand why this is considered one of the great, enduring works of literature.