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 PhilandererIn a London drawing-room, a tender yet complicated romance unfolds between the determined widow Grace and the charming, enigmatic Leonard, whose past entanglements challenge their…
Level C1ClassicsThe Phantoms of the Foot-Bridge, and Other StoriesIn a shadowed mountain gorge, a fragile foot-bridge carries more than travelers—whispers of restless spirits and haunted memories linger in the crisp autumn air, inviting a somber…
Level B2ClassicsThe Phantom HerdIn the rugged Bad Lands, film director Luck Lindsay battles studio cutbacks that threaten his commitment to authentic storytelling, as he strives to capture the spirit of real Nati…
Level C1ClassicsThe PestIn foggy London, an accomplished young painter unexpectedly reunites with a once-familiar woman now married to a humble curate, stirring memories of a shared past amid the city's d…
Level C1ClassicsThe Personal History of David CopperfieldBorn into a world of shifting fortunes, David Copperfield narrates his journey from childhood struggles to self-discovery, encountering a vivid cast of characters and challenges th…
Level C1ClassicsThe Perpetual CurateIn the quiet town of Carlingford, where society revolves around its clergy, a young curate with unconventional views navigates delicate family ties, parish politics, and a challeng…
Level C1ClassicsThe Perjur'd Husband; or, The Adventures of Venice. A TragedyIn Venice’s masked carnival, love and duty collide as Bassino battles desire for the enchanting Aurelia while bound to a wife he hates, igniting a turbulent struggle of passion, lo…
Level C1ClassicsThe Perfect GentlemanExplore the curious pursuit of becoming the Perfect Gentleman, balancing high ideals of truth and grace with the often absurd social rituals of eighteenth-century etiquette.
Level C1ClassicsThe Pension BeaurepasA struggling writer moves into a modest Geneva boarding house, seeking to observe the quirks and secrets of its diverse inhabitants.
Level C2ClassicsThe Pennyles Pilgrimage: Or The Money-lesse Perambulation of John TaylorEmbark on a remarkable journey from London to Edinburgh where a poet travels penniless, relying solely on the kindness of strangers and wit, uncovering vivid tales of Scottish hunt…
Level C1ClassicsThe Pennycomequicks, Volume 3 (of 3)A restless Philip grapples with loneliness and worry after his wife Salome departs on her first foreign journey, his mind caught between work, domestic unease, and tender concern f…
Level C1ClassicsThe Pennycomequicks, Volume 1 (of 3)In a world where family ties are tangled with ambition and self-interest, a resolute woman named Mrs.
Level C1ClassicsThe Pearl of Orr's Island: A Story of the Coast of MaineOn the rugged coast of Maine, a stoic old fisherman and a delicate young woman journey through wild landscapes shaped by nature’s harsh beauty.
Level C1ClassicsThe Paying GuestA well-to-do couple considers taking in a paying guest to ease loneliness and boost income, but the mysterious applicant’s unconventional letter and unknown background spark doubt…
Level C1ClassicsThe PatricianIn a grand English dining hall steeped in centuries of family history and fading aristocratic glory, the Caradocs confront the passage of time and the shifting tides of their legac…
Level C1ClassicsThe Patient Observer and His FriendsFive men gather to debate the true nature of fear, revealing quirky personal terrors—from revolving doors and waiters to past embarrassments and even elephants—challenging the noti…
Level C1ClassicsThe Path of a StarIn colonial India, a poised actress encounters Laura Filbert, a devoted missionary whose humble faith and austere life challenge worldly conventions and invite a profound explorati…
Level C1ClassicsThe Path of Duty, and Other StoriesA young girl faces the sudden loss of her father and the overwhelming grief that follows, as she and her mother navigate the emptiness left in their once joyful home.
Level C1ClassicsThe Path Of DutyA tale unfolds in the foggy London winter, revealing the intertwined lives of Sir Ambrose Tester and Lady Vandeleur as they navigate society’s expectations and personal struggles w…
Level C1ClassicsThe Patchwork PapersA collection of reflective, illustrated essays unveils the beauty and truth hidden in everyday life, from the lives of humble characters to profound meditations on immortality and…
Level C1ClassicsThe PatagoniaAmid a stifling Boston night, a chance visit to Mrs.
Level B2ClassicsThe Pastor's SonA pastor's son, burdened by chronic illness and sorrow, struggles to find hope and meaning in his suffering amid a family strained by poverty and faith.
Level C1ClassicsThe PassportIn the quiet heat of a midsummer day, Don Agostino, a refined yet enigmatic priest, tends to his remote Italian village, Montefiano, where whispers of his past mingle with the time…
Level C1ClassicsThe Passing of Mars: A Modern Morality PlayIn a world where labor and capital clash over the fruits of the harvest, old wounds and hopes intertwine at the twilight of a hard day.
Level C1ClassicsThe Party and Other StoriesAmid a lavish name-day party, Olga Mihalovna escapes to a quiet garden to reflect on her unborn child and the stifling social pretenses inside.
Level C1ClassicsThe Parthenon By Way Of PapendrechtOn the winding Thames, a painter hires William, a gruff yet captivating boatman and ex-soldier, to navigate the river's twists and tales.
Level C1ClassicsThe Parson O' DumfordA new vicar arrives in the rough valley town of Dumford, where his calm demeanor meets suspicion and hostility from the local working class.
Level C1ClassicsThe Paris Sketch Book of Mr. M. A. Titmarsh; and the Irish Sketch BookAn English family embarks on a bustling steamboat voyage to Paris, navigating the chaos of travel, lively passengers, and vivid city life.
Level C1ClassicsThe Paris Sketch Book of Mr. M. A. TitmarshAmid the bustling departure from London to Paris, a family's chaotic journey unfolds with humor and vivid detail, capturing the lively scenes and characters encountered on this cro…
Level C1ClassicsThe Pardoner's WalletExplore the wit and irony woven through essays that reflect on human nature’s quirks, moral saturation, and the curious appeal of medieval pardoners peddling indulgences, blending…
Level C2ClassicsThe Palace of Pleasure, Volume 3A valiant and cultured Neapolitan gentleman seeks peace after exile, but fate draws him into a perilous marriage with the Duchess of Malfi, where honor, power, and tragedy intertwi…
Level C2ClassicsThe Palace of Pleasure, Volume 1Dive into the vibrant world of Elizabethan England, where a young man's sudden inheritance mirrors the era's explosive literary and cultural awakening, bridging Italian tales and E…
Level C1ClassicsThe PagansIn a rain-soaked Boston apartment, a young artist faces a loveless marriage and wrestles with discontent, ambition, and the sacrifices of art and life, while a determined woman cha…
Level C1ClassicsThe Pace That Kills: A ChronicleA privileged scion escapes a life of expectation, vanishing from New York society only to resurface years later burdened by family secrets and financial uncertainty.
Level C1ClassicsThe OysterIn a sunlit London flat, Esmé Carteret navigates a life of luxury, social whirl, and fragile health while her husband Bertie faces a looming military deployment to South Africa.
Level C1ClassicsThe Oxford Book of American EssaysExplore the vibrant voices shaping American identity through essays that reflect the unique social and cultural currents of the United States, revealing the distinct flavor and per…
Level C1ClassicsThe Owls' HouseIn a misty Cornish town, John Penhale faces the scars of a violent past and the harsh realities of rural life, where superstition and rugged characters collide.
Level C1ClassicsThe OutrageAt a sun-kissed Belgian beach, spirited Chérie defies strict rules to embrace the freedom of summer days, swimming into the endless blue while navigating youthful friendships and t…
Level C1ClassicsThe OutcryIn a grand English estate steeped in history, Lady Sandgate’s modern restlessness contrasts sharply with the old-world elegance surrounding her, as unexpected visitors and whispere…
Level C1ClassicsThe Outcasts, and Other StoriesIn a dilapidated suburb where hovels crumble and dreams decay, a retired officer runs a grim lodging-house for society’s forgotten.
Level C1ClassicsThe Other GirlsIn a bustling household shaped by small dramas and domestic diplomacy, Sylvie Argenter's life unfolds amid the currents of everyday hopes and challenges, revealing the quiet streng…
Level B2ClassicsThe Other FellowIn a remote tavern surrounded by snow, a lecturer prepares for his journey to a college lecture, encountering curious locals and a mysterious driver from Hell’s Diggings.
Level C1ClassicsThe OsbornesA dazzling London mansion pulses with endless music and light as Mrs.
Level C2ClassicsThe Orphan; Or, The Unhappy Marriage. A Tragedy, in Five ActsAmidst gardens and chambers, tangled secrets and tragic bonds unfold in a haunting tale of love, loyalty, and the devastating fallout of an unhappy marriage.
Level C1ClassicsThe Orloff Couple, and MalvaExplore the harsh realities of life through the eyes of a young man shaped by hardship and wandering, whose encounters with society's outcasts ignite a fierce literary spirit and a…
Level C1ClassicsThe Ordeal of Richard Feverel — CompleteA noble baronet, torn between love and friendship, faces betrayal and loneliness after his wife’s infidelity shakes the foundations of his family and heart.
Level C1ClassicsThe Ordeal of ElizabethIn a neglected homestead overshadowed by superstition and faded grandeur, Elizabeth Van Vorst and her children live a life of quiet poverty and restraint, their futures poised on t…
Level C1ClassicsThe OrchidLydia Arnold captivates Westfield society with her sharp intellect and poised demeanor, yet her true intentions remain a mystery as whispers swirl about her romantic future and the…
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.