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Being Lolita
Being Lolita: A Memoir | Alisson Wood
8 posts | 6 read | 15 to read
A dark romance evolves between a high schooler and her English teacher in this breathtakingly powerful memoir about a young woman who must learn to rewrite her own story. Have you ever read Lolita? So begins seventeen-year-old Alissons metamorphosis from student to lover and then victim. A lonely and vulnerable high school senior, Alisson finds solace only in her writingand in a young, charismatic English teacher, Mr. North. Mr. North gives Alisson a copy of Lolita to read, telling her it is a beautiful story about love. The book soon becomes the backdrop to a connection that blooms from a simple crush into a forbidden romance. But as Mr. Norths hold on her tightens, Alisson is forced to evaluate how much of their narrative is actually a disturbing fiction. In the wake of what becomes a deeply abusive relationship, Alisson is faced again and again with the story of her past, from rereading Lolita in college to working with teenage girls to becoming a professor of creative writing. It is only with that distance and perspective that she understands the ultimate power language has had on herand how to harness that power to tell her own true story. Being Lolita is a stunning coming-of-age memoir that shines a bright light on our shifting perceptions of consent, vulnerability, and power. This is the story of what happens when a young woman realizes her entire narrative must be rewrittenand then takes back the pen to rewrite it.
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jamield1911
Being Lolita: A Memoir | Alisson Wood
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Pickpick

A remarkable memoir. So well written.

I just wanted to hug teenage Alisson and tell her that none of this was okay.

I really liked that Alisson didn't romanticise her "relationship" with her teacher. She knows it was wrong, and she now understands that he groomed her.

Such an important memoir, especially for young women.

18 likes1 stack add
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DrLReads
Being Lolita: A Memoir | Alisson Wood
Pickpick

Part Memoir, part literary analysis, this book is heartbreaking. The writing is gorgeous, but the subject is painful and you ache for young Alisson. An important, but tough read.

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Megabooks
Being Lolita: A Memoir | Alisson Wood
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Pickpick

“I learned how not special I am after all.”

I had a different reaction after reading this the 2nd time. First, the parallels to & criticism of Lolita are quite good, IMO. Second, any girl can become a victim of abuse & sexual coercion, but I think a teen with Alisson‘s history of mental illness (ECT-worthy depression) is especially at risk for predation. As more women come forward with abuse of power stories, I think the above quote is more true.

Megabooks Note: picture from author‘s Instagram. 3y
Cinfhen Another insightful review 💗 3y
Megabooks @Cinfhen thanks dear friend! 😘😘 I hope you‘re having a fantastic Chanukah! 3y
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Cinfhen Thank you 😘😘it‘s a little uneventful but I‘m ok with that 😁 3y
Kalalalatja Great review! 3y
Megabooks @Kalalalatja thank you! 💖 3y
84 likes5 stack adds6 comments
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AutumnRLS
Being Lolita: A Memoir | Alisson Wood
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Another book I've been meaning to get to.

16 likes1 stack add
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GirlWellRead
Being Lolita: A Memoir | Alisson Wood
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Charityann
Being Lolita: A Memoir | Alisson Wood
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Pickpick

Interesting memoir! 📖📚Filled one of my free spaces on my #bookspinbingo board. #bookspin

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Megabooks
Being Lolita: A Memoir | Alisson Wood
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Pickpick

Alisson‘s high school writing teacher groomed her and seduced her into an abusive relationship. He gifted her Lolita and taught her the novel was about a bad, irresistible young girl.

This is both a memoir of her time with her teacher and how her evolving understanding of the book Lolita reframed her understanding of their relationship. 4⭐️

TW: abusive relationships, sexual assault

#bookspinbingo update 🎉

JamieArc That sounds a lot like My Dark Vanessa. 4y
Megabooks @JamieArc I‘ve read both, and this is definitely more matter-of-fact because it is a memoir. She does not romanticize the abusive relationship at all. 4y
89 likes2 comments
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Megabooks
Being Lolita: A Memoir | Alisson Wood
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#bookmail and a blooming crepe myrtle!

#bloominglitsy @Eggs almost the end of the season ☹️

I‘m 25 pages into the tagged book. Too soon to tell.

Leftcoastzen Pretty flowers! 4y
Trashcanman How's your pops doing?? 4y
Megabooks @Leftcoastzen thanks! There‘s quite a bit in the neighborhood and I love it! 4y
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Megabooks @Trashcanman hey George! Thanks for asking. Dad is still in the rehab unit. He can walk with a hemi-cane now and is learning to walk on uneven surfaces. He is also able to touch his thumb to his fingers on the stroke side, which is good too. How are you? Always happy to see you here. 👍🏻 4y
Trashcanman @Megabooks I hope he continues to progress and wish him well. Hope you and your mom are doing well too. I'm good, all things considered. 🤗🤗 4y
Megabooks @Trashcanman glad you‘re doing well right now. 💜 4y
Eggs Thanks for posting the crepe myrtles🌺🌺 Looks like a beautiful August day ❤️🌞❤️ 4y
Megabooks @Eggs 💜💕 4y
93 likes2 stack adds8 comments