LOLITA by Nabokov, Vladimir - 1955

Paris: The Olympia Press, 1955. First edition. Near fine.. First issue of the true first edition of one of the defining novels of the 20th century, and one of the most misunderstood. LOLITA's language seduces the reader in the same way its infamously unreliable narrator Humbert Humbert wants us to think Lolita seduced him, when in fact it is the abuser's manipulations the entire time. A novel that describes tragic and gruesome events in some of the most exquisitely beautiful prose ever put to paper, LOLITA's poetic meditations show Nabokov - who witnessed many of the 20th century's ugliest events firsthand - grappling with the many ways we delude ourselves with words. Properly approached, this is a book from which no one, the reader included, emerges unscathed. A landmark of free speech, a cultural touchstone, and a work of terrible empathy. Two volumes, 7'' x 4.5'' each. Original green printed wrappers with borders in white and black and price of "Francs: 900" on rear of each volume. [2], 188, [2]; 223, [1] pages. Housed in custom quarter green goatskin clamshell box with green cloth chemise. Light ink dealer notation to top of rear wrappers. Trace edgewear to wrappers, faint toning to spines.