The novel is narrated by Humbert Humbert, a French literature professor who moves to New England and marries a widow, Charlotte Haze, to be close to her 12-year-old daughter, Dolores Haze, whom he has become obsessed with. After Charlotte's death, Humbert marries Dolores and begins to pursue his obsessive desires for her, which he describes as a "nymphet." He kidnaps and sexually abuses Dolores, whom he privately calls "Lolita."
The novel is divided into two parts. The first part focuses on Humbert's obsessive pursuit of Lolita and their travels together. The second part delves into the consequences of their relationship, including Lolita's eventual marriage to Clare Quilty, a playwright who had taken her from the hospital after she became ill. Humbert tracks down Quilty and kills him, leading to his own arrest and imprisonment. The novel concludes with Humbert's death after Lolita's death in childbirth, and the manuscript of his memoir is sent to John Ray, Jr., Ph.D., with the stipulation that it can only be published upon Lolita’s death.
