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 Hand of Ethelberta: A Comedy in ChaptersA clever governess turned reluctant widow navigates a delicate social dance under the guardianship of Lady Petherwin, blending sharp wit and grace in a world where servants hold as…
Level C1ClassicsThe Hampstead mystery: a novel. Volume 3 (of 3)A family's quiet life in Hampstead unravels as Henry's mysterious illness and irritability cast shadows over his home, forcing loved ones to confront secrets and strained loyalties…
Level B2ClassicsThe Hallowell PartnershipConfined by illness and restless, Marian watches her brother Roderick grapple with a life-changing job offer that could lift them from their gloomy existence.
Level C1ClassicsThe Hallam SuccessionIn the heart of Yorkshire, the proud Hallam family prepares to welcome distant American relatives whose different ways and faith challenge their old English traditions.
Level C1ClassicsThe Hall and the Grange: A NovelIn the tranquil English countryside, two brothers—Colonel Eldridge and Sir William—reconnect amidst sprawling gardens and stately homes, revealing contrasting views on life, legacy…
Level B2ClassicsThe Half-BrothersA young widow struggles to keep her family afloat amid loss and hardship on a failing farm, until a wealthy farmer offers hope through an unexpected proposal.
Level C1ClassicsThe Hairy ApeIn the cramped, roaring firemen's quarters of a transatlantic liner, Yank stands as the fiercest and most powerful coal shoveler, embodying raw strength and primal defiance amid th…
Level C1ClassicsThe Güegüence; A Comedy Ballet in the Nahuatl-Spanish Dialect of NicaraguaIn a vibrant blend of Nahuatl and Spanish, this comedic ballet unveils the spirited humor and cultural roots of Nicaragua’s native peoples, capturing their unique language and trad…
Level C1ClassicsThe Gypsy Queen's VowUnder a stormy March night, a fierce gypsy woman races toward the shadowed city of London, driven by desperation and a burning vow.
Level C1ClassicsThe Gundungurra LanguageExplore the rich structure of the Gundungurra language, revealing unique dual and plural forms, intricate noun inflections, and phonetic nuances that connect Australian Aboriginal…
Level C1ClassicsThe Guinea Stamp: A Tale of Modern GlasgowOrphaned and impoverished, young Gladys Graham faces the harsh realities of life in a dreary fenland village, grappling with the challenge of turning her modest talents into a mean…
Level C1ClassicsThe Guest of QuesnayOn a bustling Paris boulevard teeming with an eclectic parade of global characters, a strikingly disfigured man arrives in a conspicuous white touring car, capturing the attention…
Level C1ClassicsThe Guermantes WayIn a quiet new neighborhood within the prestigious Hôtel de Guermantes, a young narrator and his devoted servant Françoise grapple with upheaval, memory, and the elusive search for…
Level C1ClassicsThe Guardian AngelExplore the haunting legacy of inherited traits and moral struggles as Myrtle Hazard confronts the echoes of her ancestors' flaws, weaving a tale that probes the limits of human re…
Level C1ClassicsThe Growth of a SoulAmid the spirited and unruly world of university life in Upsala, a young student named John confronts the harsh realities of competition, social divides, and ambition while strivin…
Level C1ClassicsThe Grip of Desire: The Story of a Parish-PriestA parish priest grapples with desire and faith in a quiet village, challenging traditional morals with his unconventional beliefs about work, prayer, and goodness.
Level C1ClassicsThe Grim Smile of the Five TownsIn the industrial heartland of the Five Towns, a young man’s devotion to his frail half-brother leads to a tragic accident that unravels their lives and exposes the harsh realities…
Level C1ClassicsThe Grey Woman and other TalesAt a quiet mill by the Neckar River, a storm brings unexpected guests into the miller’s home, revealing a family rich in history and mystery.
Level C1ClassicsThe Grey Wig: Stories and NovelettesTwo aging women, Madame Valière and Madame Dépine, coexist in a cramped Parisian hotel, bound by shared history yet divided by silence and rivalry.
Level C1ClassicsThe Grey MonkOn a stormy October night, a proud baronet wrestles with the shame of his eldest son's reckless gambling and estrangement, while rare coins and family legacies cast long shadows ov…
Level C1ClassicsThe Grey LadyTwo brothers bound by a seafaring legacy face a devastating blow when one fails the naval exam, shattering their shared dreams of life on the ocean wave.
Level C1ClassicsThe Green Mirror: A Quiet StoryIn a fog-shrouded London square steeped in history and quiet tradition, the steady, unchanging life within an old house unfolds against the backdrop of a city on the brink of trans…
Level B2ClassicsThe Green GoddessA devoted vicar grapples with grief and love, cherishing memories of those lost while preparing to let go of his beloved daughter.
Level C1ClassicsThe Green CarnationIn glittering London society, the charismatic and unapologetically self-adoring Reginald Hastings revels in scandal and spectacle, challenging conventions with his bold embrace of…
Level C1ClassicsThe Grecian DaughterIn a gripping tragedy of valor and virtue, a daughter’s fierce devotion challenges tyranny and ignites a nation’s fight for freedom.
Level C1ClassicsThe Greatest Plague of Life: or, the Adventures of a Lady in Search of a Good Servant.A determined lady navigates the trials of domestic life while searching for a trustworthy servant amid the chaos of ungrateful staff, all against the backdrop of her family's strug…
Level C1ClassicsThe Greatest Heiress in EnglandIn a quiet country town, a wealthy old man lives comfortably under the care of his modest relatives, whose lives revolve around managing his household and children.
Level B2ClassicsThe Greater PowerAmidst the frozen wilderness of British Columbia, a refined man turned logger battles the brutal cold and backbreaking labor to survive in a harsh, unforgiving land where strength…
Level C1ClassicsThe Greater InclinationA young admirer becomes captivated by Mary Anerton, the elusive muse behind beloved poetry, whose guarded life and complex relationships with famed poet Vincent Rendle reveal a wor…
Level C1ClassicsThe Great ReturnWhen a mysterious transfiguration of a revered lama and strange poltergeist phenomena surface in distant lands, the boundary between the known and the inexplicable begins to blur,…
Level C1ClassicsThe Great Miss DriverIn a quiet English town, Nicholas Driver rises from humble tanner to powerful landowner, shaping the social landscape with ambition and cunning.
Level B2ClassicsThe Great God Success: A NovelA recent Yale graduate without a knack for money enters the bustling newsroom of the News-Record, seeking to learn the craft of writing while navigating the challenges of ambition,…
Level B2ClassicsThe Great ExperienceA New Yorker arrives in the close-knit, mountain town of Ephraim to champion temperance, challenging local traditions while forming unexpected bonds with the hearty pioneer family…
Level B2ClassicsThe Great American Pie CompanyIn the town of Gloning, two rival pie makers wage a delicious battle over price and quality, sparking a humorous tale of competition, community, and the sweet art of pie baking.
Level C1ClassicsThe Great Adventure: A Play of Fancy in Four ActsIn a dusty London apartment, a mysterious, ailing man arrives under the care of his quick-witted servant, sparking urgent medical attention and whispered secrets.
Level C1ClassicsThe Gray AngelsIn the quiet town of Birge’s Corners, generations clash over tradition and change amid the lingering echoes of old aristocracy by the emerald waters of Birge’s Lake.
Level C1ClassicsThe GrandeeSet in the changing landscape of 19th-century Spain, this novel explores the clash between romantic ideals and emerging realism through the life of a young man torn between traditi…
Level C1ClassicsThe Grandchildren of the GhettoAt a Christmas Eve dinner steeped in Jewish tradition and tension, the upper-middle-class Goldsmith family navigates the delicate balance between faith, social expectation, and mod…
Level B1ClassicsThe Grand Cham's Diamond: A Play in One ActIn a modest London home, the Perkins family wrestles with ordinary frustrations and secretive romances, while news of a dazzling jewel theft—the Grand Cham’s Diamond—stirs intrigue…
Level C1ClassicsThe Graftons: A NovelAmidst the backdrop of English country life before the war, intertwined families and social changes unfold quietly, offering a glimpse into a world where tradition clashes with eme…
Level B2ClassicsThe Goose ManIn a quiet Bavarian town, a weaver and his wife struggle against the rise of machine-made cloth, as their hopes for a son collide with the harsh dawn of industrial change.
Level C1ClassicsThe Goose GirlA weary old traveler shadows a cheerful goose-girl as she tends her flock through a lively mountain kingdom on the brink of conflict.
Level B2ClassicsThe Goodness of St. Rocque, and Other StoriesIn a vibrant Creole community, Manuela grapples with heartbreak after her lover's betrayal, seeking solace and hope through a mystical charm and prayers to St.
Level C1ClassicsThe Good Time ComingA wealthy man leaves behind the relentless business world to create his ideal rural paradise, hoping to find peace and happiness.
Level C1ClassicsThe Good SoldierIn a serene European spa town, intertwined lives and genteel friendships mask deeper mysteries and quiet tragedies among the Ashburnhams and their close acquaintances.
Level C1ClassicsThe Good Gray Poet, A VindicationA powerful tribute reveals the overlooked grandeur of a poet whose humble appearance masks a majestic spirit embodying democracy itself.
Level C1ClassicsThe Golden Woman: A Story of the Montana HillsIn the rugged Montana hills, a fearless young woman lives under the shadow of her formidable aunt, a discredited seer whose mysterious past and stern demeanor conceal a lifetime of…
Level C1ClassicsThe Golden Maiden, and other folk tales and fairy stories told in ArmeniaDiscover the rich tapestry of Armenian folklore, where ancient traditions and enduring faith intertwine through captivating tales passed down by generations of resilient mountain v…
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.