LOLITA: A SCREENPLAY - INSCRIBED TO IRVING LAZAR
by Nabokov, Vladimir
- Used
- Hardcover
- Signed
- first
- Condition
- See description
- Seller
-
Stephenson, Virginia, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
In his foreword to this volume, Nabokov concurs that Kubrick was a talented director, and that his Lolita was a first-rate film, but felt that he only used "ragged odds and ends" of his intended version, which "certainly made the picture as unfaithful to the original script as an American poet's translation from Rimbaud or Pasternak...My first reaction to the picture was a mixture of aggravation, regret, and reluctant pleasure...I keenly regretted the waste of my time while admiring Kubrick's fortitude in enduring for six months the evolution and infliction of a useless product" (p.xiii). The film was released to great acclaim in 1962, with Nabokov nominated for an Academy Award for Best Screenplay. It was largely through Lazar's tireless efforts over the next decade that Nabokov was finally able to publish his own version of the screenplay, successfully securing a release from Kubrick in 1972. As a token of his affection for Lazar, Nabokov gifted him a pair of heart-shaped sunglasses in 1966 (similar to the pair Sue Lyon wore in the film), which became part of the centennial exhibition Nabokov Under Glass, held at NYPL in 1999.
Nabokov was generally hesitant to inscribe books, and this hesitance was magnified after the raging success of Lolita. Presentation copies of Lolita: A Screenplay are uncommon, with no copies found in the auction record, and the only copy known to us being the dedication copy, inscribed to his wife Vera. Juliar A45.1. First Printing. Octavo (22cm); black cloth, with titles stamped in gilt on spine and in blind to front cover; dustjacket; xiv,213,[1]pp. Inscribed by Nabokov on the half-title page to his agent, Irving Lazar, and his wife Mary, incorporating a drawing of five colored butterflies: "For Irving and Mary / from Vladimir Nabokov / with his best / Montreux / early May 1974." Gentle sunning to spine ends and upper board edges, discreet repair to gutter between front endpaper and half-title page, with two small scuffs to lower edge of front board; Very Good+ or better. In a supplied dustjacket, unclipped (priced $7.95), lightly edgeworn and a little dust-soiled, with a few tiny tears, and faint discoloration along upper edge of front flap on verso; Very Good+. Housed in a custom clamshell case.
Synopsis
Lolita is widely regarded as one of the greatest books of the 20th Century. The cultural influence of Lolita cannot be understated, and numerous editions have been printed since 1955. The book has been made into movies, plays, and has sparked countless conversations about relationships and the nature of obsession. Even the covers of the later editions have sparked controversy, as they feature potentially suggestive depictions of the famous "nymphet". Unsurprisingly, Lolita is often at the top of banned books lists in high schools.
Read More: Identifying first editions of LOLITA: A SCREENPLAY - INSCRIBED TO IRVING LAZAR
Reviews
Vladimir Nabokov's postmodern masterpiece about a man's obsession with a young girl is nothing short of remarkable. Not only does Nabokov situate the story within the context of Cold War America, but he has the ability to make the reader sympathise with an otherwise immoral character. Through Nabokov's lyrical, poetic and deceptive writing, the story becomes at once comical and poignant. Underneath all the amusing and colourful metaphors and allusions to American popular culture is a deeply affecting story about obsession, innocence and unrequited love. As with Jack Kerouac's On The Road, the theme of 'the journey' is strongly emphasised throughout, as the lead character descends deeper into madness as he and his step-daughter travel around America. A cult classic and must-read, Lolita is the work of genius.
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Details
- Bookseller
- Captain Ahab's Rare Books (US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 6176
- Title
- LOLITA: A SCREENPLAY - INSCRIBED TO IRVING LAZAR
- Author
- Nabokov, Vladimir
- Book Condition
- Used
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Edition
- First Edition
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Publisher
- McGraw-Hill Book Company
- Place of Publication
- New York
- Date Published
- 1974
- Keywords
- NOEBAY
Terms of Sale
Captain Ahab's Rare Books
30 day return guarantee, with full refund including original shipping costs for up to 30 days after delivery if an item arrives misdescribed or damaged.
About the Seller
Captain Ahab's Rare Books
About Captain Ahab's Rare Books
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Dedication Copy
- ...
- Inscribed
- When a book is described as being inscribed, it indicates that a short note written by the author or a previous owner has been...
- Association Copy
- An association copy is a copy of a book which has been signed and inscribed by the author for a personal friend, colleague, or...
- First Edition
- In book collecting, the first edition is the earliest published form of a book. A book may have more than one first edition in...
- Gutter
- The inside margin of a book, connecting the pages to the joints near the binding.
- Good+
- A term used to denote a condition a slight grade better than Good.
- Gilt
- The decorative application of gold or gold coloring to a portion of a book on the spine, edges of the text block, or an inlay in...
- Edges
- The collective of the top, fore and bottom edges of the text block of the book, being that part of the edges of the pages of a...
- Spine
- The outer portion of a book which covers the actual binding. The spine usually faces outward when a book is placed on a shelf....
- Octavo
- Another of the terms referring to page or book size, octavo refers to a standard printer's sheet folded four times, producing...
- Cloth
- "Cloth-bound" generally refers to a hardcover book with cloth covering the outside of the book covers. The cloth is stretched...