Being Lolita

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Seventeen-year-old Alisson embarks on a profound transformation from student to lover and ultimately, victim. A lonely high school senior, she finds solace in her writing and in the attention of her charismatic English teacher, Mr. North, who encourages her talent and envisions a bright future for her. He introduces her to Lolita, claiming it’s a beautiful love story, which sets the stage for their forbidden romance. As Alisson's infatuation deepens, she begins to see their relationship through the lens of Nabokov's work, believing it to be a grand love affair. However, as Mr. North's influence grows more controlling, she grapples with the disturbing reality of her situation. Following the abusive relationship, Alisson revisits her past through her college readings of Lolita, her work with teenage girls, and her journey to becoming a creative writing professor. With time and perspective, she recognizes the profound impact of language on her life and learns to reclaim her narrative. This memoir explores themes of obsession, passion, and manipulation, illuminating the complexities of consent, vulnerability, and power, as Alisson confronts her story and takes back the pen to rewrite it.