Brooklyn Beckham has publicly addressed rumours of a rift with his parents, David and Victoria Beckham. In multiple Instagram Stories, he says that his parents' behaviour has affected his marriage to Nicola Peltz. In the long social media post, Brooklyn rejected claims that his wife controls him
Stocks to Watch Today, January 20, 2026: Indian equities began the week on a weak note, with benchmark indices slipping nearly 0.5 per cent amid negative global and domestic cues. Technically, analysts noted that the Nifty's breach below the crucial 25
In a controversy-filled Africa Cup of Nations final, Brahim Diaz's attempt to bring some calm only added to the chaos. Around 17 minutes passed between Morocco being awarded a penalty, deep into stoppage time, and Diaz beginning his run-up. The Real Madrid forward slowed as he approached the ball
Addressing UDF Mahapanchayat in Kochi, Gandhi hailed the alliance workers for the performance in the Kerala panchayat elections, where it gained a majority in 382 gram panchayats, 75 block panchayats and six district panchayats. Kochi: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi
Have you ever noticed blood after brushing or flossing your teeth? At first, it may seem like a minor issue caused by brushing too hard. While most of us rinse and forget about it, bleeding gums can be a serious sign of an underlying problem, one that may become costly if ignored
Understanding Jeffrey Epstein's fixation with Nabokov's novel
Epstein cherished 'Lolita', kept it next to his bed – understanding sex-offender's fixation with Nabokov's novel
Jeffery Epstein Files: The posthumous revelations emerging from the latest tranche of materials linked to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation have reopened one of the most disturbing cultural questions surrounding the disgraced financier: his fixation on Lolita, Vladimir Nabokov's canonical novel about obsession, manipulation and sexual abuse.
Released as part of a recent document and image disclosure by House Democrats, the material includes photographs that appear to show passages from Lolita handwritten on a woman's body — a discovery that has unsettled readers for the way it reframes Jeffrey Epstein's long-advertised admiration for the book.
The images, the circumstances of which remain unclear, deepen the scrutiny of Jeffrey Epstein's self-fashioned identity as a cultivated reader — and raise troubling questions about how great literature can be misappropriated by those it condemns.
Who was Jeffrey Epstein — and why does Lolita matter here?
Jeffrey Epstein, who died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges involving minors, was known to project an image of intellectual sophistication. Among the cultural artefacts he appeared most keen to associate himself with was Lolita, first published in 1955 by Vladimir Nabokov.
The novel, Lolita, written from the perspective of Humbert Humbert — a predatory and unreliable narrator who kidnaps and rapes a 12-year-old girl — has long been misread by some as erotic. Nabokov repeatedly rejected that interpretation, insisting the book was a moral and aesthetic tragedy, not a provocation.
That distinction is critical. Epstein's embrace of Lolita appears not merely tone-deaf but grotesquely revealing.
What do the newly released images from two decade Epstein investigation show?
According to the newly surfaced photographs, handwritten lines from Lolita appear on various parts of a woman's body. The context — including whether the markings belong to one individual or several — is unknown.
Among the quotations visible:
On a foot:
“She was Lo, plain Lo, in the morning, standing four feet ten in one sock.”
Another image reads:
“She was Lola in slacks.”
A third line states:
“She was Polly at school.”
Across a chest, a more famous opening passage appears:
“Lo-lee-ta: the tip of the tongue taking a trip of three steps down the palate to tap, at three, on the teeth.”
Additional lines reportedly appear along a hip, neck and spine, including:
“She was Dolly at school.”
“She was Dolores on the dotted line.”
In one image, a copy of Lolita is visible in the background, reinforcing the connection.
Did Epstein openly flaunt his attachment to Lolita (s)?
Jeffrey Epstein reportedly kept a first-edition copy of Lolita in his New York townhouse office. His private jet, used to transport young women between properties, was infamously dubbed the “Lolita Express” by the press.
Journalist Michael Wolff, who once attempted to profile Epstein, wrote that the financier kept Lolita — and no other book — on his bedside table. Wolff recalled Epstein presenting himself as a Vladimir Nabokov enthusiast, a claim that sits uneasily with the novel's moral architecture.
When a fact-checker sought confirmation of those details, Epstein reportedly forwarded the query to Wolff with a curt refusal: “nfw,” meaning “no f***ing way”. The profile was never published.
Was Epstein actually a reader of Nabokov — or a poseur?
Multiple news reports suggests Jeffrey Epstein owned multiple editions of Lolita, including The Annotated Lolita, which he purchased for his Kindle just 43 days before his arrest in 2019. Yet literary scholars and critics have been sceptical of his supposed devotion.
Lolita, like Nabokov's Pale Fire, is a novel that exposes the self-deceptions of its narrator. Humbert Humbert is not romanticised; he is ridiculed, condemned and psychologically dissected.
As one cultural critic has observed, Humbert is “one of the most odious and self-absorbed creations in all of literature” — a rapist and murderer who cloaks himself in ornate language to evade moral responsibility.
Why was Nabokov's Lolita so controversial when it was published?
First published in France in 1955 after being rejected by several English-language publishers, Lolita provoked outrage almost immediately. The novel centres on Humbert Humbert, a middle-aged man who becomes obsessed with, abducts and repeatedly sexually abuses a 12-year-old girl.The book's subject matter led to bans in several countries, including the United Kingdom and parts of the United States. Over time, however, it came to be recognised as a major literary work, admired for its linguistic virtuosity, narrative complexity and moral irony.
Nabokov consistently rejected interpretations of the novel as erotic, emphasising that it was a tragic and disturbing portrait of obsession, manipulation and self-delusion. Despite this, the term “Lolita” entered popular culture as shorthand for a sexually precocious girl — a distortion the author openly lamented.
The novel's notoriety, coupled with its cultural afterlife, has ensured that it remains one of the most debated works of twentieth-century literature.
Jeffery Epstein and Lolita – What remains unresolved?
The full context of the images released by Congress remains unclear, as does the extent to which they will feature in ongoing investigative or historical assessments of Jeffrey Epstein's crimes. What is clear, however, is that the material reinforces a long-suspected truth: Epstein did not merely commit acts of abuse — he wrapped them in a false veneer of culture.In doing so, he left behind a cautionary tale not just about power and predation, but about how great literature can be distorted when read without conscience, humility or comprehension.
Source: LiveMint
Related Posts: BNP's Tarique Rahman files nomination for B'desh polls Did Epstein Files spark Trump–MTG rift Why Trump made the most headlines in 2025 – Epstein files Silverstorm Parks and Resorts files DRHP for SME IPO launch Hindustan Laboratories files DRHP with SEBI for an IPO FIRs filed after Mamata Banerjee files two complaints against ED for I-PAC raids Saks files for bankruptcy Security forces fully prepared to tackle emerging challenges in J&K ED files chargesheet against Al-Falah group chief Google files to appeal decision in search monopoly case
Viral videos allegedly show Karnataka DGP K Ramachandra Rao in intimate acts inside his office. Rao denies claims as manipulated, while Chief Minister Siddaramaiah orders inquiry and possible disciplinary action. A DGP-rank Karnataka IPS officer and father of gold smuggling accused Ranya Rao
58 minutes ago
Lava Blaze Duo 3 Price In India: The smartphone features include an in-display fingerprint sensor, face unlock, stereo speakers, an IR blaster, and a USB Type-C port. The device measures 7.55mm in thickness and weighs 181 grams. Lava Blaze Duo 3 Price In India: Homegrown smartphone brand Lava has
58 minutes ago
Late last year, more than a thousand people converged in Seoul's convention center as elite engineers presented their latest developments in artificial intelligence. Despite the arcane jargon filling the sprawling auditorium, it was a must-attend event for Korean technology executives and investors
58 minutes ago
A United Airlines Airbus A321neo (UA2323) suffered a dramatic mechanical failure at Orlando International Airport (MCO) when a nose wheel detached upon touchdown. Watch the viral footage of the rough landing that led to an FAA ground stop. The United Airlines flight that originated from Chicago was
58 minutes ago
Smith, who last featured in a T20I for Australia back in February 2024, recently smashed a 42-ball 100 for Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League (BBL). The star Aussie batter Steve Smith expressed his aspirations of featuring in a T20I for Australia in the Olympics
58 minutes ago
Composer and filmmaker Palash Muchhal appears to be channeling his focus back to work after weeks of intense public scrutiny surrounding his personal life. Following the cancellation of his wedding with Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana, Palash is now gearing up for his next directorial venture
58 minutes ago
This development comes as the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) announced that US and Canadian aircraft will arrive at Pituffik Space Base in Greenland. Several European nations have deployed military personnel to Greenland amid escalating threats from US President Donald Trump to
58 minutes ago
Manchester City have moved swiftly to address their defensive problems, snapping up Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace on a five-and-a-half-year deal reportedly worth £20 million. With injuries piling up at centre-back, City stepped up their pursuit of the England international and got the deal
58 minutes ago
The Congress on Monday accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in Rajasthan of conspiring to fraudulently remove voters who support the Opposition from the electoral rolls using allegedly forged forms during the special intensive revision in the state
58 minutes ago
NASA rolled out the Moonbound Artemis II rocket and spacecraft, achieving a "huge milestone" on Saturday, January 17. The rollout of the powerful Stacked Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft officially started around 7:04 am ET
58 minutes ago
Tiger Global may file a review petition following a Supreme Court verdict on the India-Mauritius tax treaty. The ruling alters how investors interpret tax treaties, particularly regarding indirect transfers. This development sparks discussions in tax and legal circles
59 minutes ago
Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani, known as Valentino, has died at the age of 93. One of the giants of 20th Century fashion, Valentino's creations were worn by celebrities and well-known figures including Elizabeth Taylor, Nancy Reagan, Sharon Stone, Julia Roberts and Gwyneth Paltrow
59 minutes ago
Experts warn that the use of external chemicals even those labelled mild may disrupt the natural microbiome, increasing the risk of infections. Conversations around intimate hygiene remain limited, and the use of external products to maintain it continues to be widely debated
59 minutes ago
Speculation about a possible delay in the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Love & War has now been put to rest, with sources close to the project firmly dismissing claims that the film has been pushed to 2027. New Delhi: Filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali is gearing up for a grand return to the big
59 minutes ago
WhatsApp appears to be preparing a major upgrade for its web platform, with new features aimed at bringing it closer to the experience offered on mobile and desktop apps. According to a recent report, the company is developing support for group voice and video calls on WhatsApp Web
59 minutes ago
Global trade is reorganizing into regional blocs, not collapsing. Companies must build capacity to navigate multiple futures as geopolitics increasingly shapes markets. India Inc. shows resilience due to strong domestic demand. Leaders need to embed geopolitical insight into strategy for growth and
59 minutes ago
It was a moment Charalampos Kostoulas will never forget. An acrobatic overhead-kick equaliser in stoppage time - not a bad way for Brighton's 18-year-old Greek forward to open his account at the Amex Stadium. The substitute, who signed from Olympiakos for £29.78m in the summer
59 minutes ago
Silver rate today: The COMEX silver rate today surged to a new record high, as President Donald Trump's bid to take control of Greenland stoked concerns over a potential US–Europe trade conflict, unsettling markets. Silver briefly climbed to an all-time high of $94.740 an ounce on Tuesday
59 minutes ago
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that the aim behind this is to free people from the burden of remembering multiple numbers during crises and to ensure swift help when it matters most. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Monday that citizens will no longer need to dial different helpline
59 minutes ago
India's dining landscape continues to evolve with brands expanding thoughtfully, blending strong culinary identities with design, community, and purpose. Across cities, new openings are no longer just about food, they are about experience, storytelling
59 minutes ago
Blue Davos refers to a special focus on water — especially oceans, freshwater, and water-related systems — at this year's World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland. The WEF, from January 19 to 23, will highlight water ecosystems, the global water cycle
59 minutes ago
Prateek Yadav, the son of Samajwadi Party (SP) patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav, has hit headlines after announcing his intention to divorce his wife, Aparna Yadav, alleging that she has “ruined his family ties." Hours after announcing the decision
59 minutes ago
Ecommerce marketplaces such as Amazon India and Flipkart are set to post 20–22% growth during their ongoing Republic Day sales compared with last year, extending the online shopping momentum seen during the 2025 festive season, according to industry experts.Republic Day sales
59 minutes ago
Earlier this month, a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Sham Lal Sharma, called for a separate state of Jammu to be carved out of the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP was quick to distance itself from Sharma's statement, describing it as his individual opinion
59 minutes ago
Tarot Card Reading Horoscope Today For January 20: Step into the mystical realm as the tarot cards reveal what the universe has in store for you today. Whether you`re seeking clarity in love, career, or personal growth, today`s tarot insights offer powerful guidance tailored to your zodiac sign
59 minutes ago
Senegal's thrilling Africa Cup of Nations win has been dimmed by controversy, as a walk-off protest during their final against Morocco looms over celebrations. Coach Pape Bouna Thiaw made the dramatic decision to lead his team off the field following a debatable VAR penalty call
59 minutes ago
JioHotstar has announced a revised subscription structure for new users, introducing nine plans across Mobile, Super and Premium tiers. The update, effective January 28, 2026, adds monthly options across all tiers while retaining quarterly and annual plans
59 minutes ago
