Jason Williams asks: "What do you all think? Am I alone in suspecting that Nabokov was
telling us of the influence that von Lichberg's Lolita had on him?"
My personal opinion is based more on intuition
than in analytical reasoning. I understand VN might only have paid heed to
von Lichberg's "bad-looking" book because he was already interested in the
theme that is common to both.
I don't think v.L's book would have influenced VN
to the point of deserving hints or hidden references ( would VN expect his
readers to be familiar with von L's "Lolita"?). I think that
VN would probably have explicitly mentioned von L's book and voiced his strong opinions about
it!
As we all know the theme about incestuous
relations with mother and stepdaughter appeared in "The Enchanter" and even
earilier in "The Gift" ( Zina's story). The lost young love might also
be related to VN's observation that he'd have liked to be present at Poe's
weddingand to the presence of Poe and Annabel Lee in
"Lolita".
I don't see why it is important to bring up
"cryptomnesia" ( giving more importance to von L's book that it deserves) or
VN's "rewriting" it...
Jansy Mello