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 old vicarageOn a radiant summer evening, a mother imparts her final, heartfelt guidance to her young stepdaughter, entrusting her with the care of her delicate sisters and the weight of family…
Level C1ClassicsThe old lady shows her medalsIn a cramped London basement, three spirited charwomen and their criminal hostess gather for tea, weaving sharp wit and wartime memories into their lively conversation.![Cover of The oak shade by Maurice [Editor] Eugene](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dafcorta8p2c739itbkg.webp)
Level C1ClassicsThe oak shadeStep into the curious world of a village literary association whose existence defies time, reviving repeatedly against all odds.
Level C1ClassicsThe noise of the worldIn a tense battle between conscience and corporate power, a young idealistic lawyer challenges his firm's choice to defend a ruthless company displacing immigrant laborers.
Level C1ClassicsThe noble lordIn the sweltering Maine woods, a mysterious drowning woman is rescued by a peculiar Englishman whose calm, methodical aid sparks confusion and curiosity—what strange encounter has…
Level C1ClassicsThe nigger of the "Narcissus"Aboard the merchant ship Narcissus, the arrival of James Wait, a solitary black sailor, stirs complex emotions among the crew as they confront isolation, fear, and human connection…
Level C1ClassicsThe nature of a crimeIn a collaboration steeped in irony and literary debate, two authors reveal the blurred boundaries between confession and fiction, memory and creation, as they dissect the material…
Level C1ClassicsThe mother's recompenseIn a sunlit Riviera hotel room, Kate Clephane reflects on a life marked by lost joys, resilience, and the bittersweet pursuit of happiness after separation.
Level C1ClassicsThe motherIn a remote Sardinian village steeped in superstition and tradition, a young priest grapples with the clash between his vows and human love, while his mother faces a heart-wrenchin…
Level C1ClassicsThe moors and the fens, volume 2 (of 3)In a world where friendship can be a trap or a treasure, Mina Frazer navigates the complex affections of those around her, including the enigmatic Miss Warmond, whose intense attac…
Level C1ClassicsThe moors and the fens, volume 1 (of 3)In the bleak Lincolnshire fens, Sir Ernest Ivraine’s dreary ancestral home stands surrounded by stagnant waters and despair.
Level C1ClassicsThe moonshiners at Hoho-hebee Falls: 1895In the rugged landscape of Holly Cove, a spirited boy defies the dangers of mountains and rivers while mastering school lessons with a fearless charm.
Level C1ClassicsThe modern writerExplore the challenges of forging a unified American literature amid diverse cultures and landscapes, as a storyteller reflects on the rise of modernism and its influence on art, s…
Level C1ClassicsThe miracle of Saint AnthonyIn a somber Flemish town, a sharp satire unfolds around the figure of Saint Anthony, blending mysticism with biting irony.
Level B2ClassicsThe matrimonial bureauWhen Tekla discovers a peculiar matrimonial ad promising farmers and farms, she sends a dollar and a hopeful letter, dreaming of a rustic life filled with cows, chickens, and a hom…
Level B2ClassicsThe master of St. Benedict's, Vol. 2 (of 2)In a stormy English college, a troubled man battles addiction while those around him face the painful sacrifices love demands.
Level B2ClassicsThe master of St. Benedict's, Vol. 1 (of 2)A poor Yorkshire ploughboy rises to Cambridge’s highest honours against all odds, driven by ambition and a lifelong, patient love.
Level B2ClassicsThe marriage of SusanA poised outsider arrives in a quiet Pennsylvania Dutch village, stirring curiosity and challenging the boundaries of class and culture.
Level B2ClassicsThe man who wonIn a tense South African diamond town on the brink of war, a young Boer named Bert faces personal and political turmoil as whispers of conflict spread and an Englishman lies dying…
Level B2ClassicsThe man who talked too muchTwo weary prospectors, David and Goliath, seek solace on a long train journey but find themselves relentlessly pursued by the boastful and talkative "Lucky" Cochran, whose endless…
Level C1ClassicsThe man who limpedA former perfumer turned dragoman recounts his journey from misogyny to unexpected enchantment when a mysterious woman’s haunting song and radiant beauty captivate his heart beneat…
Level C1ClassicsThe man who ate the popomackIn a London gallery where modern art sparks sharp debate, characters confront the boundaries between imagination, reality, and emotion, revealing the tangled human stories behind t…
Level C1ClassicsThe man on the other sideA newly independent woman embraces life on her newly acquired farm, discovering the land’s beauty—and a mysterious dog that seems to hold secrets of the past.
Level C1ClassicsThe man in the street: Papers on American topicsExplore the pulse of American life through sharp essays that examine the nation’s politics, culture, and the pride—and contradictions—of small-town and city living in the early 20t…
Level C1ClassicsThe loves of Pelleas and EtarreOn a frosty Easter morning, Pelleas and Etarre face the icy streets and the firm orders of their caretaker, forcing them to confront their advancing years and the delicate balance…
Level C1ClassicsThe love-letters of Mr. H. & Miss R., 1775-1779A tragic romance unfolds through the passionate letters exchanged between Mr.
Level C1ClassicsThe lost bride; vol. 3A mysterious visitor arrives with urgent news about an impostor cousin and a desperate fight to restore a family's honor.
Level C1ClassicsThe lost bride; vol. 2Amid the haunting ruins of an ancient castle, a young woman explores forgotten chambers and glimpses a mysterious pale face at a window—could it be a ghost or her imagination?
Level C1ClassicsThe lost bride; vol. 1A young Italian girl, orphaned and torn between her parents' differing faiths, reunites with her childhood love whose return brings both joy and unease.
Level C1ClassicsThe long wayAmid the opulence of a lavish Washington estate, Rachel Leven wrestles with a growing sense of unease and disconnection from her sister’s extravagant social world, revealing the qu…
Level C1ClassicsThe lonely ploughA seasoned landowner grapples with the relentless demands of family, tenants, and tradition, feeling the heavy weight of time upon him.
Level C1ClassicsThe lighting of the Christmas treeAs Christmas approaches, Olga strives to protect her home’s warmth and ideals from the unwelcome presence of a troubled vagrant, Ruster, grappling with kindness, fear, and the true…
Level B2ClassicsThe light: An educational pageantA city struggles to balance its budget, reluctantly planning cuts to education, when a mysterious figure named Education appears, carrying a symbolic lamp that promises guidance th…
Level C1ClassicsThe life and opinions of Tristram Shandy, gentlemanA quirky and philosophical narrator reflects on how his parents' distracted minds before his birth shaped his unique character and fortunes, inviting readers into a whimsical explo…
Level C1ClassicsThe letters of Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett Barrett, Vol. 1 (of 2) 1845-1846Discover the intimate and heartfelt exchange between two poetic souls as they share admiration, critique, and the blossoming of a profound connection through letters that reveal th…
Level C1ClassicsThe letters of Richard Ford, 1797-1858Explore the vibrant world of 19th-century Spain through the rich letters of an art connoisseur and passionate traveler navigating political intrigue, cultural treasures, and person…
Level C1ClassicsThe letters of Madame de SévignéStep into the refined world of 17th-century France through intimate letters filled with wit, tender affection, and vivid portraits of society, revealing the delicate balance of fam…
Level B2ClassicsThe last crashA seasoned pilot haunted by fate shares a chilling tale of a crash that defies explanation, where every detail seems predestined and death wears a mysterious, almost serene smile.
Level B2ClassicsThe land of mistIn post-war London, a grieving but fiery Professor Challenger and his strong-willed daughter Enid join forces with journalist Edward Malone to investigate mysterious spiritual phen…
Level C1ClassicsThe lady of the basement flatAfter her sister’s wedding, Evelyn Wastneys feels like a ghost of herself, trapped between past and present in an old Irish country home.
Level C1ClassicsThe justice of GideonIn a small Northern California town, a dedicated judge balances his ambitions, a budding political career, and a complicated past as a young woman arrives with a secret tied to a s…
Level C1ClassicsThe jugglerIn a remote mountain cove, a mysterious stranger arrives to perform the first-ever juggling show, captivating a skeptical and curious community unused to such spectacle.
Level C1ClassicsThe isle of liesA daring scholar ventures to a remote Abyssinian island to uncover ancient manuscripts guarded by cloistered monks, only to find himself caught in a web of secrets, superstition, a…
Level C1ClassicsThe illustrious Dr. MathéusIn a quaint Alsatian town, the eccentric Dr.![Cover of The humour of Germany by Hans [Editor] Müller-Casenov](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dafdn35a8p2c739itkkg.webp)
Level C1ClassicsThe humour of GermanyExplore the intricate landscape of German humor through diverse regional dialects, historical influences, and cultural nuances that shape a nation's unique comedic spirit.
Level C1ClassicsThe house of the deadEnduring a brutal sentence in a Siberian prison, a young man confronts the harsh realities of punishment and the complex spirit of the Russian people, revealing a profound search f…
Level C1ClassicsThe house of pride, and other tales of HawaiiIn the vibrant backdrop of Hawaii, a proud, fastidious man wrestles with his rigid ideals and uneasy place among lively army officers and civilians, revealing a clash between tradi…
Level C1ClassicsThe hindered handIn the segregated South, a mysterious note passed between a white woman and a Black porter aboard a midnight train sparks a tense, forbidden connection.
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.