Welcome back to "Hooked on the First Line," where James and master storyteller Cal Fussman dig deep into what makes the opening lines of novels so captivating. Today's focal point is the notoriously controversial but beautifully penned 'Lolita' by Vladimir Nabokov. 

"Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins. My sin, my soul. Lo-lee-ta: the tip of the tongue taking a trip of three steps down the palate to tap, at three, on the teeth. Lo. Lee. Ta." 

These opening lines are as alluring as they are unsettling, a fitting introduction to Nabokov's tale.

The episode doesn't stop at 'Lolita'; it branches out into the first lines of Nabokov's 'Ada' and 'Laughter in the Dark,' showing that the author's skill in gripping the reader is not a one-off but a recurring theme in his work. James and Cal talk about the stylistic elements, the melody in the words, and the ethical conundrums posed right from the first sentence. How do these lines affect our perception of the characters and the unfolding story? And how does Nabokov manage to lure us into complex emotional landscapes with just a few words? Discover the craftsmanship behind some of literature's most iconic opening lines.

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------------

• What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!
• Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!

------------

• Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!
• My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!
• Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.
• I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com

------------

Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: 

• Apple Podcasts
• iHeart Radio
• Spotify

Follow me on social media:

• YouTube
• Twitter
• Facebook
• LinkedIn