My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell - A Modern Day Lolita Story? It's Complicated.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ต.ค. 2024
- Our review of My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell and the relevance of Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
Books Mentioned:
My Dark Vanessa - Kate Elizabeth Russell
Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
Other:
Instagram: / bookblather
Email: sunlyte1@gmail.com
I read this book recently and one of the characters I couldn't wrap my head around was Henry Plough. He serves the role of "the good guy" but again in some ways neglects the boundaries that need to exists between a teacher and student. Reading this book made me feel hopeless and empty in so many ways because there is a trend with people who are abused, somehow they always end up falling victim (by absolutely no fault of their own). This book and Lolita portrayed not one but two abusive and morally ambiguous men and it makes me question as to how are we supposed to look out for ourselves when these incidents aren't always a "once in a lifetime" experience. That being said, really loved the video ❤
Hey! I’m actually really glad you brought this up. I don’t think I really talked about him, but I think Henry was a really important character. I don’t know if I’m reading too much into it (which I’m sometimes prone to do), but IMO, Henry illustrated the distinction between two different types of people with this predatory disposition. I’m no expert, and I know is this an oversimplification, but I think there are two general types… what I would call “concealers” and “deniers.” The Concealer (Strane) embraces it, and just tries to hide their behavior. The Denier (Plough) has the same disposition, but internally denies it and somewhat suppresses it, trying to do things “properly.” The behaviors are not as openly egregious, but they nevertheless still betray the disposition… i.e., Henry marrying his own, but older student; engaging in a sort of voyeurism of Vanessa, but from afar (online). How’s that for armchair psychoanalysis?
That's actually pretty insightful and smart 😂. It like perfectly sums up what I had been trying to say.
@@urvigupta7575 you know what they say… great minds think alike 😉
This audiobook blew me away. Some of the most discomfort I've ever experience while reading a book!
Yeah, this was a tough one for sure.
Loved this book and your review. I was really impressed at how the author was able to add something to the MeToo conversation with how conflicted the person involved can feel and why people may not even realize a relationship was problematic or outright horrific until many years later. Very intense read. 🐶💕
Agreed. And yes, VERY intense. I couldn’t put it down.
Love the wholesomeness of your videos, even when dealing with such dark subject matter! 🐶
Thanks Tobias, that means a lot! This one is not an easy one to talk about. You get worried you’ll upset people no matter what when you discuss a book like this, but we just try our best to be objective and honest. 😊
As someone in their 20s following many youtube channels regarding books, I grew frustrated that every channel is only showing the 'trending booktok' reads and are completely unaware of beautiful artwork such as this one (not that all of those booktok ones aren't art as well.)
When I read, "My Dark Vanessa" a few years ago I was amazed with the 5 star read. I do not feel as though any of us who appreciate the art of the book condones the obvious abuse & I do wish more people realized that.
The majority of artwork, music, poetry, and etc that are passionate & breathtaking are also heart wrenching, like this book. I will ALWAYS recommend, "My Dark Vanessa" as a book I have personally read twice it was so good.
I highly suggest any readers my age to look into these less talked about titles, you would be amazed of what you find.
Thanks so much for leaving this comment, Jessii. I think it’s frustrating for all of us who want to spend some time discussing books other than the latest viral trend 😊
@@BookBlather yes, this is how I came across your channel actually. In my head I kept wondering why I haven't seen great titles such as, "The Lovely Bones", "Kingdom of the Wicked", Natasha Prestons thrillers, etc.
So, I began to just search these titles themselves. Happy I did!
@@jessiimartin3683 I read The Lovely Bones years ago… that was a tough book.
Excellent review!
Thanks!
This book reminds me of Tumblr's TTC [teacher crush community], where teenage girls and boys used to 'share' their thoughts on what their teacher crush was doing. Some were open book writers looking at research, others like me, were looking at something that wasn't there and a few at least wrote that they were in a relationship with their teacher. Stuff like Pretty Little Liars and teenagers writing fantasy relationships on Wattpad, or in Fanfiction, for example between Snape and Hermoine, would fuel those fantasies/dreams/escapism I had as a teenager and could have got me in trouble [I pursued a teacher who was just being nice] or in danger [I got into a relationship with a teacher.]
Now as an adult, I hope to write a story from a different perspective, using what I was like as a teenager first... and then slowly realising how dangerous and actually, pretty grim, it really is.
Wow, I’d never heard of that. I was going say that’s really interesting, but somehow, that doesn’t quite seem like the right word. A bit scary. That said, if you publish that story, I would read it.
@@BookBlather I am surprised its not more known as I thought it was pretty popular, kinda like a pro-and blog for anorexics, but for teacher crushes instead.
Can you please explain why do you think you had that fantasy/wish? And others teens too (in case you read something about it on tumblr)?
@whiii7421 It boils down to pretty much needing someone to care for me/love me and at that time, it was thru seeking an attachment to the teachers. It's a pretty common thing to confuse connection/good people with love but not as illegal or wrong as TS.
Other examples: Patients and doctors/therapists, customer and worker, low level workers and bosses. Any authority figure, really.
@@extrememinimalism, that makes sense. I will look more into it. Thanks for the answer! If you ever write the book, I will be interested in reading it!
I loved this book! Your analysis was excellent! Great video.
Thanks Crystal!
i've returned to this review to say, this video got me to read my dark vanessa and it has ultimately made it to the top of my favorites. absolutely a wonderful read, thank you for sharing your output about this novel.
That’s wonderful! It really is a great novel, and I’m happy to hear you decided to try it and enjoyed it so much! And thank for coming back to leave your thoughts. Comments like this motivate us to keep making reviews 😊
Ah you approached this so well! Bravo! Excellent!
Thanks, Pax! I really appreciate that!
Great analysis. I've been wanting to pick up Lolita and then re-read this one. MDV is one of my fav books, brilliantly done and grizzly to the core.
Thanks! I’m probably due for another re-read of Lolita. Both great books.
Amazing review!!!!
Thanks so much!
Hi Dave & Olive, Thanks for popping by my channel. Violet says hi to Olive! This sounds like a good story. I love twisted, complicated stories for sure. Thanks for sharing. Subscribed too #373. Peace, Love and Happiness~ Tracey
Hi Tracey, thanks for coming by! Olive said to tell Violet hi back (those pups have to stick together if you ask her 👊 🐶)
Reading this book at times was hard and at times triggering for me because of my trauma but still a book worth reading in my opinion I haven't read lolita but I did watch the 1960,s movie adaptation
I have not watched the 60’s version… what did you think of it? The more modern remake had a powerful emotional effect on me.
@@BookBlather the movie was good
@@angelaholmes8888 I’ll need to try it. I don’t know why I haven’t already. I thought the other one and the book were so incredible.
I have read Vanessa but not Lolita, might give it a try this year. There's a memoir called Being Lolita about a woman's real experience being groomed and relationship with her teacher. Lolita played a large part in that. If you enjoy memoirs at all, it's worth a read.
Oh, wow, I hadn’t heard of that book. I don’t mind a memoir here and there (one of my faves in 2021 was a memoir), so I will definitely look into that one. Thanks Kelly!
Hearing about this really reminded me of Disgrace by JM Coetzee. Virtually the same premise, and also, there is no outright condemnation of the abusive at the center of the story. The abusive professor is our main narrator, and he is portrayed as pitiable, sympathetic, and a tragic figure. I felt unsettled when I first read it, but then I realized: Rigid definitions and condemnations of abuse sadly hardly ever exist in real life. Atrocity and abuse are left up to us to interpret, and that is a truly grueling, stomach turning realization.
That is very true. I feel like I should have heard of this book (I kind of feel like maybe I did… did you talk about this book at some point?). I’ll have to look into this one. The way you describe it, it sounds like it’s a similar point of view as Lolita. Is it?
@@BookBlather I included it in one of my disturbing books videos! I’d say there’s definitely overt parallels to Lolita (which I’m sure Coetzee did on purpose), but the novel centers much more on the main character’s “fall from grace” as he outcasts him to the South African wilderness. It definitely goes in a very different direction. I think you would like it!
@@PlaguedbyVisions added to the TBR
@@BookBlather sorry! 😅
I'm reading MDV. I think I can see that V is going to have an epiphany. But as for as Humbert, I feel sure he knew what he was doing was not right by society's standard.
Hey! Hope you’re enjoying it so far. I won’t comment about V (don’t want to ruin it for you), but I think you’re right about HH. As he lived it, I think he experienced it as love, and consequently, viewed it as justifiable. But he also realized it was not acceptable, even vilifying Quilty for ‘cheating him of his redemption.’
I wrote an alternate history novel with just a few elements of dystopia. While the book is unique, I did place an easter egg to 1984 (not an obvious one, but it's there).
Interesting. What’s the name of it?
@@BookBlather I have not published the book yet. I'm trying to convert the book into an ebook. Will have a limited run in print also. I'd give you the title, but you won't find my book. I'll get back when it's published.
Sounds well !
It was really something. If you give it a try, I hope you enjoy it!
@@BookBlather thanks✌🏾
just curious what did you think about the character taylor?
You know, there were numerous important characters in the story, but I didn’t give that one too much thought. I mean, she was admirable, of course, for coming forward. It was a while ago that I read it, but I don’t remember that character getting explored very much. Why do you ask? What did you think of her?
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Thanks for watching! 😊