He has a face that women just fall for, and by chance he comes to rent from a woman he loathes (who has a crush on him) with a nymphet daughter (Lolita), who also has a crush on him. Through a frustrating couple of months, Humbert lives within reach of his dream, yet it is unattainable. This is the best part of the book. He describes his love for the nymphette in such beautiful terms that it could apply to observing beauty in any woman. He identifies a primal instinct in men and describes it so completely that you (assuming you're male) begin to identify with him. Of course the object of this affection is not 3-dimensional (being in a book), and therefore the loathesome aspects are easily dismissed, and as yet, he has not acted on his desires. The writing truly is beautiful. Also, his frustration with the nymphet's meddling mother (seeming more like a mother-in-law) is expressed so well that you find yourself feeling sorry for Humbert. He's so feckless, he couldn't find his own ass with two hands and a flashlight.
Then the turn of events: Mom find's his journal (snooping), and is going across the street to mail some incriminating letters when she is hit by a car and killed. I can't remember why or when they married, but this makes him the sole guardian of Lolita. Even at this point he is unable to force himself to do as he desires with the girl. Had she not initiated things (so says the narrator), nothing probably would have happened, he is so inept. But now the story gets ugly. Having identified himself as YOU, the typical yearning male, he now goes about proving to you how truly dispicable you are! How could he (I) do such things, ruining a girl's childhood. I was astonished at this author's ability to make me feel bad about myself. He is an artist with words.
As for Humbert, I bear him no ill will. I still think he is feckless, and that circumstances beyond his control overtook him. He never really did have any control over anything.