Podcast Summary: The 70th Anniversary of 'Lolita' with Kaveh Akbar

Podcast Information:

• Title: All Of It
• Host: Alison Stewart
• Episode: The 70th Anniversary of 'Lolita' with Kaveh Akbar (Classics Week)
• Release Date: August 13, 2025

1. Introduction

In this episode of ALL OF IT, host Alison Stewart delves into the enduring legacy of Vladimir Nabokov's controversial novel, 'Lolita', marking its 70th anniversary. Joining her is esteemed poet and novelist Kaveh Akbar, author of the recent novel Martyr. The discussion explores the intricate language of Nabokov, the moral complexities of the protagonist, and the novel's relevance in contemporary society.

2. Kaveh Akbar's First Encounter with 'Lolita' (02:42)

Alison Stewart initiates the conversation by asking Kaveh Akbar about his initial experience with 'Lolita'. Akbar recounts reading the novel during high school, highlighting its "illicit" and "strange" nature compared to other books on his reading list.

Kaveh Akbar [02:49]: "I just pulled it off the shelf. And I remember being... It just felt so much more illicit than the other books on that list. It felt also like the language was an order of magnitude stranger than most of the others that I had read."

This early impression underscores the novel's unique blend of mesmerizing language and unsettling subject matter.

3. The Power of Nabokov's Language (04:02)

As a poet, Akbar is particularly attuned to Nabokov's linguistic prowess. He praises Nabokov for his "defamiliarizing" language that transforms everyday American landscapes into something "Martian and strange".

Kaveh Akbar [04:02]: "We see Humbert's descriptions of America and it is so acute and Martian and strange and strangering... It is a novel about incuriosity more than anything else."

Akbar emphasizes how Nabokov forces readers to "see things that we thought we'd seen, but making us totally see them again", revitalizing mundane experiences through literary craftsmanship.

4. Cultural and Historical Context of 'Lolita' (05:27)

Alison steers the conversation towards Nabokov's background, noting his trilingual upbringing in Russian, English, and French, which Akbar believes permeates his writing style.

Kaveh Akbar [05:27]: "Nabokov was the last of this very aristocratic Russian class... He was trying desperately to impress upon you how urbane he is and how smart and how sophisticated he is."

This aristocratic and cultured background influences Humbert Humbert's "aesthetic and therefore moral authority", contrasting sharply with the American settings he observes.

5. Analyzing Humbert Humbert as an Unreliable Narrator (08:46)

The discussion shifts to the novel's narrative structure, particularly the foreword by the fictional Dr. John Ray Jr., which frames Humbert's manuscript. Akbar interprets this as a device to "lend the entire book this garment of reality", subtly tipping readers about the story's outcome.

Alison probes further into Humbert's trustworthiness as a narrator, prompting Akbar to dissect Humbert's manipulative language and his attempt to "cudgel you into this feeling of his aesthetic".

Kaveh Akbar [09:00]: "There are all these ways in which he's trying to draw you into his way of looking at things before you even really had a chance to form an opinion about him."

Akbar illustrates how Humbert's "arachnoid way" of storytelling ensnares readers, masking his heinous actions with eloquent prose.

6. Listener Interaction: Marie from Woodstock (10:45)

A listener named Marie Helene Bertino calls in to share her appreciation for 'Lolita's' language. Akbar acknowledges Marie's work, fostering a connection between the audience and the literary discussion.

Alison Stewart [11:08]: "Share a similar love for the language."

Though Akbar doesn't quote a specific line, he references the novel's exquisite descriptions, particularly in the second chapter of part two, capturing the essence of their American journey.

7. Ethical Implications and Modern Parallels (12:14)

Another listener, Jerry from Larchmont, brings up the sensitive topic of Humbert's obsession with a young girl, drawing parallels to contemporary issues like the Epstein case. Akbar responds by highlighting Nabokov's intent to demonstrate how language can "charm and seduce" readers, obscuring morally reprehensible actions.

Kaveh Akbar [13:12]: "He [Humbert] is playing this song that makes you want to euphemize or that makes you want to continue along... This is one of the most germane ethical things that I can think of that literature can teach us today."

He connects this to modern-day use of language in stifling critical thinking and enabling societal issues to persist under the guise of sanitized rhetoric.

Kaveh Akbar [15:34]: "Every person starving in Gaza right now is a human being with a heart that could fit inside my chest. Right. And when we euphemize that, even words like genocide or famine, drive over that."

This segment underscores the novel's timeless relevance in understanding the manipulation of language in ethical and political contexts.

8. Reception and Enduring Appeal of 'Lolita' (16:30)

Alison asks Akbar why 'Lolita' continues to attract readers despite—or perhaps because of—its controversy. Akbar references critic Edmund White, who noted that Nabokov's goal was to "make you like the monstrous Humbert Humbert."

Kaveh Akbar [16:30]: "The novel forces you to sit in that contradiction, that evil can be charming. That... this book gives us the experience of sitting with a character who we find truly morally repugnant and also sometimes charming."

He suggests that the novel's ability to evoke discomfort and provoke introspection keeps it relevant, allowing readers to explore complex moral landscapes.

9. Adaptations and Teaching the Novel (18:09)

The conversation turns to film adaptations, with Akbar expressing a preference for the novel over Stanley Kubrick's rendition, which he finds more "salacious." While not positioning himself as a film critic, Akbar acknowledges the differing interpretations between mediums.

When asked about teaching 'Lolita,' Akbar admits he hasn't taught it in full, primarily focusing on poetry. However, he emphasizes its pedagogical value in teaching students about "intrinsic curiosity" and the dangers of "mortally incurious" perspectives.

Kaveh Akbar [18:49]: "This is a horror story about what happens when you are mortally incurious."

He advocates for the novel's role in fostering deep ethical understanding and critical thinking in educational settings.

10. Conclusion

As the episode wraps up, Alison Stewart highlights listener feedback and encourages the audience to engage with 'Lolita' and Kaveh Akbar's work.

Alison Stewart [21:16]: "You should read his book Martyr, by the way. He joined us to discuss the 70th anniversary of Lolita."

Kaveh Akbar and Alison part on a note of mutual appreciation, underscoring the episode's exploration of 'Lolita' as a monumental work that continues to challenge and inspire readers decades after its publication.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Kaveh Akbar [02:49]: "I just pulled it off the shelf. And I remember being... It just felt so much more illicit than the other books on that list."

• Kaveh Akbar [04:02]: "We see Humbert's descriptions of America and it is so acute and Martian and strange and strangering... It is a novel about incuriosity more than anything else."

• Kaveh Akbar [05:27]: "Nabokov was the last of this very aristocratic Russian class... He was trying desperately to impress upon you how urbane he is and how smart and how sophisticated he is."

• Kaveh Akbar [09:00]: "There are all these ways in which he's trying to draw you into his way of looking at things before you even really had a chance to form an opinion about him."

• Kaveh Akbar [13:12]: "He [Humbert] is playing this song that makes you want to euphemize or that makes you want to continue along... This is one of the most germane ethical things that I can think of that literature can teach us today."

• Kaveh Akbar [16:30]: "The novel forces you to sit in that contradiction, that evil can be charming. That... this book gives us the experience of sitting with a character who we find truly morally repugnant and also sometimes charming."

• Kaveh Akbar [18:49]: "This is a horror story about what happens when you are mortally incurious."

Final Thoughts

This episode of ALL OF IT offers a profound exploration of 'Lolita', examining its intricate language, complex characters, and enduring ethical questions. Kaveh Akbar's insights provide listeners with a deeper understanding of why Nabokov's work continues to resonate and provoke discussion 70 years after its publication. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the novel, this conversation sheds light on the multifaceted nature of one of literature's most debated masterpieces.