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Does reading Lolita make you feel "bad"....

#55: Oct. - Nov. 2008 (Fiction)
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Interbane

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Anyone watch Eastern Promises?
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Raving Lunatic
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Never heard of it. Feel free to fill us in.
If you obey all of the rules, you miss all of the fun.
--Katherine Hepburn
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Interbane

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It's a movie revolving around the diary of a Russian girl taken as a sex slave. Much of it has more to do with the workings of the Russian mafia however.
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Sheesh, I knew there was a reason why I was staying away from this thread. Is the Russian sex slave journal fiction in the form of a journal or is it based on an actual journal, like the Diary of Anne Frank? (I ask, muttering all the while in my head, I must be crazy. Why in the world would I even think about reading and discussing anything on this topic in the hours that I am not working?)
"Where can I find a man who has forgotten the words so that I can talk with him?"
-- Chuang-Tzu (c. 200 B.C.E.)
as quoted by Robert A. Burton
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GR9,
Because things of this nature is like a train wreck. You don't want to see the carnage but you just can't turn away from it.
If you obey all of the rules, you miss all of the fun.
--Katherine Hepburn
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Raving Lunatic said:
[quote:]
Because things of this nature is like a train wreck. You don't want to see the carnage but you just can't turn away from it. [/quote]

Thanks for demonstrating clearly and confirming to me why I should not discuss this here. Your words are a cliche that may be true in some instances, but when it comes to this issue, it doesn't apply for me. I'm not interested in turning to look at literal wrecks because I know I can't be of any help with that kind of injury and destruction and I just don't need any extra upsetting images in my mind. What is actually harder for me is being firm with myself about maintaining good personal boundaries for self-care around issues where I am tempted to feel that I could be of some help, because I can only if I don't wear myself out trying to address things outside of the scope of my influence. That said, I don't care what anyone else says next here; I'm leaving this string alone and sticking to addressing topics where I can be of service or interest and learn something interesting or valuable myself. If this is the level of engagement here, I can't.
"Where can I find a man who has forgotten the words so that I can talk with him?"
-- Chuang-Tzu (c. 200 B.C.E.)
as quoted by Robert A. Burton
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Raving Lunatic
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I do apologize if I have upset you. However, I was only try to bring some humor to a very dark and haunting subject. Not too sure what else to say to your response.
If you obey all of the rules, you miss all of the fun.
--Katherine Hepburn
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bohemian_girl
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Does reading Lolita make you feel bad?....


In a word. Yes. It disturbed me a lot. I felt bad that this 'relationship' was written about for entertainment. I felt bad that I laughed occasionally at some of the wit in it. I can't say that it is a book that I 'enjoyed' because frankly it creeped me out. Although, having said that, I would be more concerned if I wasn't disturbed by the content.
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I felt bad that this 'relationship' was written about for entertainment.
I did not think of it so much as entertainment, as food for thought. This kind of thing does exist in a world and even though Humbert was a fictional character his warped way of thinking and perverted desires are real.
How difficult it must be for people whose inner selves do not fit into our world and must fight themselves daily in order to be considered moral citizens. How can a society help people like that and protect innocent victims? A book like that can perhaps spark public interest in subjects that are taboo or subjects that are sometimes easier to ignore.
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Raving Lunatic wrote:
I do apologize if I have upset you. However, I was only try to bring some humor to a very dark and haunting subject. Not too sure what else to say to your response.
Thanks, Raving Lune, it's not your fault. I get testy sometimes. This is too hard a topic for me to do well after everything I see in the course of my days and into my nights. My perspective gets narrowed and focused to just where it needs to be to do the specific things I need to do. It can't open back up all of a sudden at the end of the day to start addressing comments about poor perpetrators and involuntary staring at wrecks, however well-meant. Everybody comes to a situation with a perspective based on her or his life and experiences. Mine can't bring me here right now, but I wanted to let you know that I do know you didn't do anything wrong and I'm sorry I snapped at you.
"Where can I find a man who has forgotten the words so that I can talk with him?"
-- Chuang-Tzu (c. 200 B.C.E.)
as quoted by Robert A. Burton
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