The Library
Read Classic Literature in English
Learn English by reading the books worth reading. Every book is the complete text, labelled A2 to C2 — tap any word for an instant translation, hear natural audio narration, and save the vocabulary you meet as you go. Pick your level and start with a free sample.
Level C1ClassicsThe virgin and the gipsyIn a rigid vicarage shadowed by scandal, two young sisters navigate a world where their mother’s betrayal is whispered but never named, and family loyalty clashes with hidden resen…
Level C1ClassicsThe unlit lampIn a household shadowed by the stern presence of Colonel Ogden, family tensions simmer beneath the surface, revealing the quiet struggles of a father, his wife, and their two contr…
Level C1ClassicsThe unhallowed harvestIn a city courtroom, a compassionate rector observes a tense negligence trial where a severely injured worker seeks justice against a powerful manufacturing company, exposing the c…
Level C1ClassicsThe type-writer girlA young woman in London, unemployed but endlessly curious, observes the bustling city life and imagines the hidden stories of its inhabitants.
Level C1ClassicsThe twelve best short stories in the French languageDive into a curated collection of twelve masterful French short stories, each showcasing a unique tone and moral depth from the nineteenth century’s finest writers.
Level C1ClassicsThe trumpet in the dustAs Mrs.
Level C1ClassicsThe true-born IrishmanIn a Dublin household shaken by vanity and political intrigue, a man must navigate his wife’s sudden obsession with status and the looming election that threatens to test his honor…
Level C1ClassicsThe trough of the waveIn a rugged Norwegian district, Per, a defiant tenant farmer, clashes with his landlord over unjust demands, igniting tensions that reveal the harsh realities and fierce pride of r…
Level C1ClassicsThe three wise menIn the dusty, fading town of Calent, the marshal, mayor, and judge—dubbed the “three wise men”—gather in secret to gamble and debate the fate of Peg Nell, a woman trying to escape…![Cover of The three sisters [Night watches, Part 6.] by W. Jacobs](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da6jnfipmtvc73csnnqg.webp)
Level C1ClassicsThe three sisters [Night watches, Part 6.]On a stormy autumn night, the eldest of three sisters makes a chilling deathbed promise to watch over her siblings beyond the grave, setting a dark, eerie tone in their isolated, m…
Level C1ClassicsThe things which belong—In a quiet cottage, Mattie and a companion confront a long-awaited moment charged with silence and unspoken emotions, revealing the complex depths of desire, fulfillment, and the g…
Level C1ClassicsThe terrible meekIn a bleak, storm-swept landscape, a captain, a soldier, and a grieving peasant woman confront the haunting aftermath of war and loss, revealing the harsh realities behind duty, em…
Level C1ClassicsThe talkersA cynical writer haunted by disillusionment becomes obsessed with a mysterious stenographer whose elusive resistance both captivates and torments him, setting the stage for a tense…
Level C1ClassicsThe swing of the pendulumGraduation day finally ends for Jean Norris, who escapes the chaotic ceremonies to reflect by a quiet creek, confronting the bittersweet transition from college to life beyond.
Level C1ClassicsThe suspicions of ErmengardeIn foggy Kensington Gardens, Ermengarde wrestles with the pressures of marriage, mounting expenses, and a creeping sense of dissatisfaction that shadows her once cozy domestic life…
Level C1ClassicsThe surprises of lifeAn enigmatic chairmender and storyteller named Mokoubamba shares his extraordinary journey from a royal minister in Africa to a worldly wanderer, revealing a life rich with adventu…
Level C1ClassicsThe strike of a sexIn a city where men bear the marks of neglect and despair, a mysterious strike disrupts society's fabric—literally and figuratively—challenging the roles and burdens of gender with…
Level C1ClassicsThe story of my first novel; How a novel is writtenA young writer’s journey from rejection to triumph reveals the raw struggles and joys of crafting a novel, while nocturnal imaginings bring characters and scenes vividly to life in…
Level C1ClassicsThe story of a summerSpend a summer at Chappaqua, where intimate family moments, unexpected visitors, and rustic adventures reveal the private life behind a public figure’s busy world.
Level C1ClassicsThe story of Keedon BluffsAmid the rugged heights of Keedon Bluffs, a boy’s discovery of a long-forgotten cannonball stirs memories of a fierce past, weaving together tales of war, family divisions, and a b…
Level C1ClassicsThe story of Ida: epitaph on an Etrurian tombA devoted friend recalls the brief, luminous life of Ida, a young Florentine girl whose story reveals tender truths about humanity, faith, and the quiet heroism found in everyday s…
Level C1ClassicsThe story of FifineA man torn between the vibrant streets of Paris and the solitude of his exile navigates complex family ties and unexpected visitors, setting the stage for a story of identity, ambi…![Cover of The stories editors buy and why by Jean [Compiler] Wick](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dafhtlla8p2c739iuk1g.webp)
Level C1ClassicsThe stories editors buy and whyDiscover the behind-the-scenes world of American short story publishing, where editors shape literary tastes, seek fresh voices, and explain why they select certain stories, offeri…
Level C1ClassicsThe spoil'd child: A farce, in two acts, as performed at the Theatre Royal, Drury LaneIn a country house rife with mischief, a spoiled boy’s pranks drive his family to the brink of chaos, blending wit and whimsy in a comedic fight for order and discipline.
Level C1ClassicsThe spider and the flyIn a grim convict station by a desolate shore, two prisoners plot a daring escape under the cover of darkness, risking everything to seize a fleeting chance at freedom before the u…
Level C1ClassicsThe speaker's ideal entertainmentsDiscover a unique collection of carefully chosen dramatic pieces paired with expert guidance on gesture and expression, perfect for captivating performances and eloquent speeches t…
Level C1ClassicsThe soul of the moving pictureExplore the enigmatic power of cinema as it transforms from a misunderstood novelty into a profound art of feeling, capturing the human soul through gestures and movement while evo…
Level C1ClassicsThe soul of a bishopIn a restless dream, a weary bishop confronts the heated theological debates of early Christianity and the elusive mystery of the Trinity.
Level C1ClassicsThe soul of LilithA mysterious man with striking white hair and dark features silently enters a crowded theatre during a powerful Hamlet performance, embodying a strange experiment to explore the un…
Level C1ClassicsThe son of Don Juan: an original drama in 3 acts inspired by the reading of Ibsen's work entitled 'Gengangere'A gifted mathematician torn between rigorous study and a burgeoning passion for literature faces profound personal and intellectual challenges, revealing the complex interplay of l…
Level C1ClassicsThe snow manIn a cold, abandoned room filled with dust and silence, maps of icy landscapes hint at a forgotten world beyond.
Level C1ClassicsThe skipper's wooing, and The brown man's servantOnboard the cement-laden schooner Seamew, uneasy whispers stir among the crew as their captain’s strange behavior hints at troubles deeper than the sea.
Level C1ClassicsThe show girlA Parisian gentleman forsakes high society for the bohemian life of Montmartre, weaving a tale through letters filled with duels, mysterious figures, and the search for the elusive…
Level C1ClassicsThe sexagenarian; or, the recollections of a literary life (Volume 2 of 2)Dive into the vivid recollections of a literary life marked by shifting principles, surprising alliances, and the intricate dance between faith, politics, and literature.
Level C1ClassicsThe sexagenarian; or, the recollections of a literary life (Volume 1 of 2)A reflective literary life unfolds through candid dedications and personal recollections, tracing the journey of an author who rose from humble origins to esteemed recognition, rev…
Level C1ClassicsThe sea-gullOn a country estate, a young playwright stages an amateur theatrical, stirring passions and tensions among family and friends drawn together by art, love, and the struggles of rura…
Level C1ClassicsThe schoolmistress, and other storiesA weary schoolmistress endures the endless routine of a remote village and the hardships of her isolated life, haunted by memories and the slow encroachment of spring.
Level C1ClassicsThe romance of my childhood and youthExplore the vivid reflections of a writer’s early life and the shifting literary culture that shaped her art, revealing the interplay between personal experience and creative expre…
Level C1ClassicsThe riddle of the rocks: 1895In the remote Great Smoky Mountains, Roger Purdee guards two mysterious sandstone blocks he believes are the shattered stone tables of the Law, revealing a world where faith, super…
Level C1ClassicsThe rejected wifeIn a burgeoning New England village, a family rushes to prepare their long-unfinished home for a Thanksgiving reunion, where the return of their only son and unexpected guests prom…
Level C1ClassicsThe reapingIn the charged atmosphere of political intrigue, William Fox, a brilliant yet controversial figure, navigates the fierce debates and rivalries that could propel him to the presiden…
Level C1ClassicsThe rat-trapA newly arrived British officer and his wife confront the challenges of colonial life on the tropical Key Island, where the scenic beauty masks a rigid society shaped by military a…
Level C1ClassicsThe provincial American and other papersA provincial American reflects on his rural roots and encounters with Civil War veterans, capturing the spirit and social fabric of small-town life in early 20th-century America.
Level C1ClassicsThe pronunciation of Greek; accent and quantity. A philological inquiryExplore the debate over the true pronunciation of Greek, balancing ancient tradition with modern scholarship and the living voice of Greece itself.
Level C1ClassicsThe promotion of the admiral, and other sea comediesIn the rough-and-tumble world of a San Francisco sailors' boarding-house, a cunning, tough character known as Shanghai Smith recounts his infamous exploits and a legendary clash wi…
Level C1ClassicsThe private life, The wheel of time, Lord Beaupré, The visits, Collaboration, Owen Wingrave.Amid the stunning Swiss Alps, a distinguished circle of London’s literary and theatrical elite gathers, revealing the subtle complexities and unexpected warmth beneath their polish…
Level C1ClassicsThe private life of Henry Maitland: A record dictated by J. H.Step into the intimate and unvarnished portrait of Henry Maitland, a struggling literary man whose life and struggles reveal the raw truths behind the facade of fame.
Level C1ClassicsThe princess and the tigerIn a kingdom where tradition reigns, a newlywed princess watches her husband lead a grand hunt through misty mountains, while she contemplates the ancient ruins that guard their re…
Why it works
Why read classics to learn English
Graded by real CEFR level
Every book is labelled B1, B2 or C1 so you can pick something that stretches you without overwhelming you.
Tap any word to translate
Touch a word or phrase to see it in your language instantly — no dictionary, no leaving the page.
Audio narration & pronunciation
Listen to clear, natural narration and read along to train your ear as well as your eye.
Vocabulary from your own reading
Save the words you meet; they become flashcards built from the books you actually read.
Questions
Learning English by reading
Reading exposes you to real grammar, vocabulary and phrasing in context — far more memorably than word lists. With instant translation and audio on every page, you stay in the story instead of stalling on unknown words, which is what builds fluency.
Choose a book one notch above where you feel comfortable: B1 if you read everyday English, B2 if you can follow longer articles, C1 for literary prose. You can always tap words you don’t know — a little stretch is exactly how you level up.
Sample chapters are free to read with no account. To read a full book — with tap-to-translate, audio narration and saved progress — you start your trial at quiz.nikmas.studio.
Not for sample chapters — they open with no signup. To read a whole book you start your trial at quiz.nikmas.studio, which keeps your vocabulary and place across devices.