I understand that this story is told from the perspective from an unreliable narrator -I really do- but that does not make it any more enjoyable to immerse in ...nor any more comfortable to read about Humbert's obsession with "nymphets". I doubt those that love this book would say that they enjoyed it per se; it's not that kind of a read. But for me this was too ...real. Stuff like this happens. People like Humbert actually exist. It captures a part of this world that I don't really want to look at. I don't want to study it, nor do I want to understand the main character. It's not that I want to pretend this stuff doesn't exist - it's just not my top choice for escapism. Honestly, it concerns me a little that some readers sympathize so strongly with Humbert (especially when his defining character trait is a pedophile who can write pretty words). There are also many readers and critics that don't connect and see this more as a character study - which is redeeming. My interests simply don't align. 
 So this is not a book for me. I never suspected it was and I should have followed my instinct - I just wanted to try something out of my comfort zone? Broaden the horizon a little. I gave it a shot and now that opportunity expired. Book closed. Sorry, but I think I'll be much better off not finishing this one.