The Introverted Reader is hosting a weekly meme entitle Character Connection
We all have characters we love. Let’s spotlight these fantastic creations! Whether you want to be friends with them or you have a full-blown crush on them, you know you love them and want everyone else to love them too!
My Character Crush is Clare Quilty
From Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
Considering Clare Quilty is a pedophile he seems like a strange choice, but there is just something about him. For one thing he is extraordinary clever and cunning. Following Lolita, (Okay we can add stocker to the list) in order to keep an eye on Humbert Humbert through different persona’s with his target never being the wiser. Clare is also a poet and has a lovely lyrical way of words, that has all the ladies having crushes themselves. Although, even with his creative outlet the objective of his sentences come out in a roundabout way. Clare also speaks very fanatically which is shown more prominent in the ’62 film with Peter Sellers which is another reason why I love this character. Lastly, (and this pick is getting weirder by the minute) is that he has a suave air to him radiating with charm, floating in all the right circles and always knowing the right thing to say at the present time. I think Lolita puts it best “He was an artist. He was different from you and me.”
I have never worked up the nerve to even attempt Lolita, but at the very least Clare sounds like an interesting, complex character!
O I've never seen the old version. Interesting choice.
well.. I love Peter Sellers.. but I'm afraid I can't share your interest in this book – too controversial. I had to read Lolita last year and didn't quite get it. What was it all about? 🙂 Nevertheless, i was rather intrigued by the characters and, again I'm convinced it's better to read about such 'gentlemen' than to actually meet them 🙂
+JMJ+
I don't think this is a weird choice at all! Maybe just . . . avant-garde? 😉
But everyone I know who has read Lolita has been completely mesmerised by it, and I suppose it is greatly due to the character of Clare. I mean, if he were truly awful, everyone would hate him and the book, and that would be the end of it; but there's clearly something redeeming about him.
One day I may have to find out what all the fuss is about! =)
Jen– I think the hesitation to Lolita is understandable, who wants to read about a pedophile? But once you get past that it's mesmerizing.
Juju– The '62 version is fantastic and Peter Sellers and James Mason are wonderful as Lolita's "suitors" As for the '97 version, I found it very disappointing, even with Jeremy Irons in it.
Daria– I know this may seem like a strange pick. But Clare and Humbert are such complex characters that it's hard not to have feelings of any kind toward them.
Enbrethiliel– I think if you have two whack jobs vying for the attention of a 12 year old there has to be one likable character out of the bunch. Otherwise, I think the novel would be unenjoyable and more twisted than it already is. I hope you do get around to reading Lolita one day, I think you'll enjoy it.
interesting choice. I still haven't read this one although i've been telling myself for years i should try it.
I feel like a bookish neandathal (sp?). I have never read Loitia. I need to expand my literary horizons.
Feel like getting to Lolita faster but there are a number of library books that absolutely need to be read before the fine on them becomes too hot to handle..