The Real Lolita

by Sarah Weinman
The Real Lolita cover
Good Books rating 3.75
True Crime
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Paperback • £10.99
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  • ID: 2247
  • Added: 2025-10-13
  • Updated: 2025-10-13
  • ISBN: 9780735272743
  • Publisher: Vintage Canada
  • Published: 2020-01-28
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

The Real Lolita delves into the harrowing 1948 abduction of 11-year-old Sally Horner, whose ordeal served as the dark inspiration for Nabokov's controversial novel. Through meticulous research and investigative journalism, Sarah Weinman brings Sally's story to life, exploring the cultural and social context of mid-century America and the literary implications of Nabokov's work. Weaving together crime narrative, historical context, and literary analysis, this book not only sheds light on Sally Horner's tragic fate but also examines the ethical questions surrounding the use of real-life tragedies in fiction. It's a gripping account that restores Sally to her rightful place in literary history.

Reviews
The Library Ladies · Kate · 2019-02-21
impactful 3.75

The book is difficult to read due to the disturbing details of Sally Horner's abuse, but it is appreciated for its frankness and thoroughness.

Kate finds The Real Lolita a challenging read due to the graphic and disturbing details of Sally Horner's abuse. However, they appreciate the book's frankness and the thoroughness of Weinman's research. The reviewer acknowledges the importance of telling Horner's story and the impact it has on understanding the inspiration behind Nabokov's Lolita. Despite the difficulty, the book is seen as a crucial piece of work that brings justice to Sally Horner's memory.

Quick quotes

    It's a book that I had a hard time reading because of the awful manipulations and abuses La Salle did to Horner.

    I appreciated how frank and thorough Weinman's account is.

    The Real Lolita brings justice and humanity to Sally Horner's story—something history had long denied her.

The Guardian · Lucy Scholes · 2018-10-11
compelling 4.00

The book succeeds in revealing the dark reality behind the novel Lolita, offering a compassionate account of Sally Horner's story. It highlights the author's thorough research and empathetic storytelling.

The reviewer praises Sarah Weinman's ability to uncover the grim truth behind the fictional Lolita. They appreciate the depth of research and the compassionate way Weinman tells Sally Horner's story, bringing to light the harsh realities that inspired Nabokov's novel. The reviewer also notes how Weinman's work sheds light on the societal and cultural context of the time, making it a poignant and important read.

Quick quotes

    In this she succeeds well, and her compassionate account reveals the 'darkness of real life' behind the novel.

    Weinman's meticulous research and empathetic storytelling bring Sally Horner's tragic story to life.

    The Real Lolita is a poignant reminder of the power of truth in the face of fiction.

The New Yorker · Catrine Bengtsson · 2018-09-17
unique 3.50

The book is seen as a unique and peculiar exploration of Sally Horner's real-life story, blending crime narrative with literary investigation.

The reviewer finds The Real Lolita to be a unique and peculiar book that delves into the sad real-life story of Sally Horner. They appreciate how Weinman blends elements of crime narrative, cultural history, and literary investigation to tell Horner's story. The reviewer also notes that the book provides a fresh perspective on the inspiration behind Nabokov's Lolita, making it a compelling read.

Quick quotes

    The Real Lolita is, by any measure, a unique and very peculiar book.

    Weinman's intensive research uncovers a bright girl who survived her ordeal.

    The narrative is compelling and respectful, blending crime narrative with literary investigation.

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