Reviewing the Book Review
As the publication celebrates its 125th anniversary, Parul Sehgal, a staff critic and former editor at the Book Review, delves into the archives to critically examine its legacy in full.
Credit.Leigh Wells
Feb. 26, 2021
Halfway through “Lolita,” Humbert Humbert relaxed, triumphant and a mere pinch of pages away from his downfall stops to extol the wonders of America. He has dragged his 12-year-old quarry on a road trip across the country, a perversion of a honeymoon. He slips into French to marvel at all they have seen. “
Nous connûmes,” he purrs, borrowing “a Flaubertian intonation”