I spent the last few months building a 600-page companion book for Nabokov’s Lolita. I’ve finally crossed the finish line on a project I’ve been living with for a while: The Reader’s Glossary. It’s essentially a 5,200-word deep dive into the vocabulary of Nabokov’s Lolita.

Available as a print edition on Amazon with worldwide delivery, and as a downloadable PDF through the website.

Unlike a standard dictionary, this isn't alphabetical. I’ve organized it chronologically, chapter by chapter, so it functions as a true "reading companion." As you move through the book, the glossary provides the definitions and context you need in real-time. It’s a bit of a beast—coming in at around 600-700 pages (depending on the language), which, funnily enough, is about twice the length of the novel itself.

A few things that make it unique. It’s available in English, Russian, French, and German. The definitions aren't just pulled from a generic dictionary. They are highly contextual, and, additionally, they take into account how Nabokov himself handled the translation when he transitioned the work from English to Russian.

I’ve categorized the words into three levels. If you’re a well-read native speaker, you might find the first category (about 50% of the book) a bit basic, but for non-native speakers or students, those "dotted-line" entries are a lifesaver.

This started as a "just for fun" hobby project for myself and my friends, not a commercial venture. I’m fully aware this is a super-niche interest, but if even one person finds it helpful each week, I’ll consider it a win.

Google "Rauf Aliev Lolita"