Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

Has any non-religious book been analyzed and discussed more? I have nothing to add to the debate, no particular insight.

While it can be read as a metaphor, it is indeed the story of a middle-aged man who is sexually obsessed with "nymphets" - young (less than 14 years old) girls who have a particular sexual allure imagined by him. He is textbook pedophile, and it is creepy to read about. Not just from a moral standpoint (though as one sworn to protect children, as I am, it's troubling), but psychologically. He speaks of her sobs each night once he's essentially abducted her to be his sextoy. She's a lonely child whose only power is over him is sexual, and then only in peculiar ways. It's disturbing. It's not only an allegory.

At the same time, it is fascinating. It reminds me of "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Poe because of its narrative structure - the crazy man "justifying" his actions. I found a lot of borrowing there. How the narrative is propelled is interesting - the journey and the automobile. The psychology of power and abuse, also fascinating.

It's worth reading, but it did lose my interest near the end. I think the ultimate crime is just a plot vehicle (to be more "Tell-Tale-Heart"-ish) and I don't find it plausible.

For summary: http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/lolita/summary.html

For better insights see Reading Lolita in Tehran - a very good book.