Real Lolita

Impossible to follow footnotes (just unlinked asterisks at the end of the book, with no reference back to their source, and the same method was used to delineate changed names, so the whole setup was quite confusing) plus an agenda. That agenda was written, in neon letters, “the inspiration was a secret and I found it!”, which the author has to admit isn’t true in either part; Nabokov had nothing to hide, and others discovered the connection first. Yet she harps what he was hiding to the very end. Authors are inspired by real life constantly; it’s a normal process, and to not blatantly discuss is considerate to the parties involved. There’s no conspiracy, and nothing to discover. The only person exploiting Sally Horner is this author.

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 …