It is not uncommon for works of fiction to be misinterpreted. However, Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov is perhaps amongst the most frequently misinterpreted fictional works of all time. For years, thousands of people have considered this tale of abuse and obsession one of love and romance. Many  miss the satirical elements Nabokov uses in his novel. Even when I told a friend I would be reading Lolita for its satirical elements, her initial reaction was one of confusion:

"Lolita is a satire?"

What I did not understand about this confusion was that the narrator, Humbert Humbert (yes, his actual name is Humbert Humbert), is largely regarded as an unreliable narrator. Everything about Humbert- from his actions to his words- tell us as the reader not to trust him. Yet, many regard Lolita as a classic tale of love and passion. Early on in the first half of the book, Humbert makes his intentions clear: his love of prepubescent girls, or "nymphets" as he calls them. This is not a man searching for the great love of his life, this is a predator who cares little about the effects of his actions on the young girls he molests.

Reader must understand that in the possession and thralldom of a nymphet the enchanted traveler stands, as it were, beyond happiness. For there is no other bliss on earth comparable to that of fondling a nymphet.

Nabokov uses Humbert's delusion of consensual relations to illustrate how  untrustworthy he his. However, many readers do not grasp this. For a better understanding, consider this quotation:

Swell chance . . . I'd be a sap if I took your opinion seriously . . . Stinker . . . You can't boss me . . . I despise you . . .

Reading this, you likely imagined the speaker to be angry and displeased. However, when  Dolores (Lolita) says this, Humbert believes that she is being playful and flirtatious. Mind you, this is a girl who has not yet reached her thirteenth birthday. He believes that she is content with his molesting her, so how can people still trust Humbert as a narrator?