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 Life, Travels, and Literary Career of Bayard TaylorExplore the remarkable and varied life of Bayard Taylor, a poet, traveler, and orator who embraced extremes from poverty to wealth, peace to war, and exotic lands to cultured socie…
Level C1ClassicsThe Life of a FoxhoundFollow the life of a distinguished foxhound from a kind farm upbringing to the fierce world of the hunt, where noble qualities and harsh realities collide.
Level C1ClassicsThe Life of Tolstoy: First Fifty YearsExplore the complex life and ideas of Tolstoy through the eyes of a close observer who knew him personally and sought to unveil the man behind the legend, offering insights into hi…
Level C1ClassicsThe Life of Thomas Wanless, PeasantIn a peaceful Warwickshire village, an outsider becomes intrigued by the solitary, dignified peasant Thomas Wanless, whose quiet life and guarded nature mask a deep, untold story.
Level C1ClassicsThe Life of Sir John FalstaffStep into the imagined life of Sir John Falstaff, the witty and roguish knight entwined with historic events and figures of fifteenth-century England.
Level C2ClassicsThe Life of Samuel Taylor Coleridge: 1838Born the youngest of ten siblings and orphaned by seven, a frail boy finds refuge in books and imagination amid harsh schooling and loneliness, revealing the early struggles that s…
Level B2ClassicsThe Life of NancyAmidst the rustic charm bordering bustling Boston, a spirited young girl named Nancy embarks on her first city visit, encountering new faces and the excitement of unfamiliar sights…
Level C1ClassicsThe Life of Mr. Richard Savage: Who was Condemn'd with Mr. James Gregory, the last Sessions at the Old Baily, for the Murder of Mr. James Sinclair, at Robinson's Coffee-house at Charing-Cross.Born into scandal and stripped of his noble inheritance, a young man faces a life marked by misfortune and secrecy, raised away from his true parents and burdened by the bitter leg…
Level C1ClassicsThe Life of Mansie Wauch: Tailor in Dalkeith, written by himselfA tailor in Dalkeith shares vivid tales of his life's surprising events and hardships, revealing lessons from a humble yet extraordinary journey through Scottish society.
Level C2ClassicsThe Life of Man: A Play in Five ActsIn a shadowy, timeless space, witness the entire human life unfold—from joyous youth through the trials of adulthood to the quiet fading of old age—illuminated by a flickering cand…
Level C1ClassicsThe Life of Lord ByronExplore the turbulent life of a gifted yet troubled poet whose early deformity, family legacy, and fierce pride shaped a career marked by both brilliance and controversy.
Level C1ClassicsThe Life of Lazarillo de Tormes: His Fortunes & Adversities; with a Notice of the Mendoza Family, a Short Life of the Author, Don Diego Hurtado De Mendoza, a Notice of the Work, and Some Remarks on the Character of Lazarillo de TormesFollow the cunning Lazarillo as he navigates a harsh world of poverty and deception, revealing the stark realities of 16th-century Spain through his sharp wit and survival instinct…
Level C1ClassicsThe Life of George BorrowExplore the life and travels of George Borrow, born in rural Norfolk, whose early years near the poet Cowper’s resting place shaped a unique journey from quiet countryside to wide-…
Level C1ClassicsThe Life of George BorrowFollow the extraordinary journey of a once-unknown writer turned daring missionary whose courage in Spain nearly sparked an international crisis, revealing a life rich with adventu…
Level C1ClassicsThe Life of Friedrich Schiller: Comprehending an Examination of His WorksExplore the life and works of Friedrich Schiller, a brilliant mind who overcame illness and adversity to create timeless literature in a language still evolving.
Level C1ClassicsThe Life of Francis ThompsonBorn into a devout Catholic family marked by spiritual struggles and poetic uncles, Francis Thompson’s early life unfolds amid kindness, faith, and a yearning for a sacred calling…
Level C1ClassicsThe Life of Charlotte Brontë — Volume 2Explore the intimate trials and triumphs behind Charlotte Brontë’s literary masterpieces, from the creation of Jane Eyre to personal losses and critical acclaim, revealing the resi…
Level C1ClassicsThe Life of Charlotte Brontë — Volume 1Journey through the evolving industrial landscape of 19th-century Yorkshire, where the rising town of Keighley leads to the remote village of Haworth, set against wild moors and st…
Level C1ClassicsThe Life and Works of Friedrich SchillerExplore the life and works of Friedrich Schiller through a thoughtful, balanced narrative that delves into his childhood, education, and creative genius, revealing the man behind t…
Level C1ClassicsThe Life and Romances of Mrs. Eliza HaywoodExplore the fascinating life and works of an influential eighteenth-century woman novelist whose passionate romances and domestic tales shaped the evolution of English fiction, aga…
Level C1ClassicsThe Life and Letters of Maria Edgeworth, Volume 2Journey through vivid Swiss landscapes alongside an intrepid traveler as she navigates towering glaciers, cascading waterfalls, and quaint villages, uncovering the sublime beauty a…
Level C1ClassicsThe Life and Letters of Maria Edgeworth, Volume 1Delve into the intimate letters and life of a woman who shunned public attention yet left a vivid portrait of her era, family, and the heartfelt simplicity of domestic existence wo…
Level C1ClassicsThe Life and Letters of Lafcadio Hearn, Volume 2Delve into the intimate letters and vivid reflections of a foreigner embracing life in Japan, capturing its serene nature, rich culture, and profound spirituality while navigating…
Level C1ClassicsThe Life and Letters of Lafcadio Hearn, Volume 1Explore the intimate letters and personal reflections of Lafcadio Hearn, revealing the modesty, humor, and genius behind his celebrated literary career.
Level C1ClassicsThe Life and Genius of Nathaniel HawthorneExplore the life and legacy of Nathaniel Hawthorne through detailed accounts of his ancestry, upbringing in Salem, and the cultural backdrop that shaped his exceptional literary ge…
Level C1ClassicsThe Life and Death of Doctor Faustus Made into a FarceA witty farce transforms the legendary tale of Doctor Faustus into a lively satire, blending solid sense with sprightly wit as it follows the infamous scholar’s comedic misadventur…
Level C1ClassicsThe Life and Beauties of Fanny FernExplore the vivid life and sharp wit of Fanny Fern, who turns her schoolgirl experiences and keen observations of human nature into biting satire, heartfelt pathos, and lively sket…
Level C1ClassicsThe Life and Amours of the Beautiful, Gay and Dashing Kate Percival: The Belle of the DelawareA woman of pleasure recounts her extraordinary life, beginning in a lonely Pennsylvania riverside home where childhood was marked by neglect and sorrow.
Level C1ClassicsThe Life and Adventures of Maj. Roger Sherman PotterFollow the escapades of Major Roger Sherman Potter as he navigates war, politics, and society with wit and unexpected polish, challenging stereotypes of the American character in a…
Level C1ClassicsThe Life and Adventures of Guzman D'Alfarache, or the Spanish Rogue, vol. 2/3A resourceful young rogue returns to his old trade as a basket-bearer after losing his place in a noble kitchen, navigating the bustling market life and plotting a daring journey t…
Level C1ClassicsThe Life and Adventures of Guzman D'Alfarache, or the Spanish Rogue, vol. 1/3Follow the cunning exploits of Guzman d’Alfarache, a notorious Spanish rogue whose adventures blend thrilling mischief with sharp moral lessons, revealing the folly of crime throug…
Level C1ClassicsThe Life Story of an OtterIn a hidden morass, a devoted otter mother fiercely protects her vulnerable cubs against the harsh winter and lurking dangers.
Level C1ClassicsThe Lieutenant-Governor: A NovelIn a state capitol divided by politics and principles, a veteran Governor and his idealistic Lieutenant-Governor clash amid a turbulent coalition of labor and reform factions, reve…
Level B2ClassicsThe Lever: A NovelA chance encounter rekindles childhood friendship between Alice and Allen, setting the stage for a story of rekindled bonds, family dynamics, and the pursuit of justice in a world…
Level C1ClassicsThe Letters of a Portuguese NunAmidst the secret wars and shifting alliances of 17th-century Portugal, a passionate exchange unfolds between a nun and a French officer, revealing a tale of love, loyalty, and bet…
Level C1ClassicsThe Letters of Robert Louis Stevenson — Volume 2Explore intimate and candid letters revealing the daily life, friendships, and reflections of a beloved writer in the mid-1880s, blending heartfelt sentiments with humor and person…
Level C2ClassicsThe Letters of Robert Louis Stevenson — Volume 1Explore the intimate correspondence revealing the journeys, thoughts, and relationships of a literary figure from student days in Edinburgh to travels across Europe and America.
Level C2ClassicsThe Letters of Robert BurnsExplore the intimate correspondence revealing the personal thoughts, relationships, and reflections of a celebrated poet, offering a vivid glimpse into his world through letters to…
Level C1ClassicsThe Letters of Jane Austen: Selected from the compilation of her great nephew, Edward, Lord BradbourneStep into the quiet world of early 19th-century England, where amidst historic upheavals, a sharp observer captures the intimate details of daily life, revealing timeless human nat…
Level C1ClassicsThe Letters of Her Mother to ElizabethA sharp-witted mother writes candid letters filled with societal gossip and advice, guiding her daughter Elizabeth through the intrigues and complexities of upper-class life and po…
Level C1ClassicsThe Letters of Elizabeth Barrett Browning (Volume 2 of 2)Explore the passionate correspondence of a poet deeply engaged with Italy's turbulent politics and culture, capturing vivid travels, literary reflections, and the intimate struggle…
Level C1ClassicsThe Letters of Elizabeth Barrett Browning (Volume 1 of 2)Delve into the intimate correspondence of a Victorian literary icon, revealing her private thoughts, relationships, and the heartfelt events that shaped her life—all meticulously a…
Level C1ClassicsThe Letters of Charles Dickens. Vol. 3, 1836-1870Delve into the world of Charles Dickens through his candid letters, revealing the challenges and triumphs of a burgeoning dramatic writer navigating critiques, collaborations, and…
Level C1ClassicsThe Letters of Charles Dickens. Vol. 2, 1857-1870Explore the vibrant life of a literary giant through intimate letters revealing his travels, theatrical ventures, and heartfelt connections with family and friends amid the bustlin…
Level C1ClassicsThe Letters of Charles Dickens. Vol. 1, 1833-1856Step into the early literary life of a towering storyteller through intimate letters revealing his daily struggles, creative bursts, and personal reflections as he embarks on journ…
Level C1ClassicsThe Letters of Anne Gilchrist and Walt WhitmanAn intimate collection of love letters and essays reveals the profound friendship and admiration between Anne Gilchrist and Walt Whitman, offering rare insight into the private exc…
Level C1ClassicsThe Letters of Ambrose Bierce, With a Memoir by George SterlingDiscover the sharp wit and complex mind of a Civil War veteran turned acerbic journalist, whose letters reveal the life and literary ascent of a man both celebrated and obscure, na…
Level C1ClassicsThe Lesson of the MasterA young writer visits a grand English country house, eager to meet the celebrated author Henry St.
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.