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 Female WitsIn a sharp theatrical satire set in 1696 London, a playwright’s clash with actors and critics exposes the bitter rivalry and gender biases faced by women dramatists daring to claim…
Level C1RomanceThe Female Quixote; or, The Adventures of Arabella, v. 1-2In a remote castle, a young woman raised in isolation by her doting father absorbs romance novels so deeply that she begins to live out their fantastical adventures, blurring the l…
Level C1ClassicsThe Female Gamester: A TragedyIn a world where gaming's grip threatens all ranks of society, private lives unravel amid moral struggles and social dilemmas.
Level C1MysteryThe Fellowship of the FrogA secretive society known as the Frogs spreads terror through the city with a series of violent, unexplained attacks.
Level C1PoetryThe Feast of the Virgins and Other PoemsExplore vivid poems rooted in frontier life and the rich traditions, customs, and legends of the Dakota and Ojibway Indians, capturing a noble yet vanishing culture with heartfelt…
Level C1PhilosophyThe Feast of St. FriendExplore a heartfelt meditation on the fading magic of Christmas, as the author reflects on how the joyous anticipation and innocent wonder of the past have given way to a forced, h…
Level C1ClassicsThe Faust-Legend and Goethe's 'Faust'Dive into the origins and interpretations of the Faust legend, exploring Goethe’s philosophical approach and the challenges of capturing the living spirit behind this timeless stor…
Level C1ClassicsThe Father and Daughter: A Tale, in ProseAmidst a harsh winter night, Agnes, burdened with her child, journeys back to her father's home, haunted by the choices that led her away.
Level C1HistoricalThe Fate: A Tale of Stirring TimesAmid stirring times and shifting scenes, explore the vivid interplay between human fate and the natural world, where history’s truths are questioned and the passions of the past co…
Level C1ClassicsThe Fatal Falsehood: A Tragedy. In Five ActsIn a noble household shadowed by war and secret grief, a web of loyalty, love, and rivalry unfolds as young warriors await a hero’s return to secure a destined union—yet hidden mot…
Level C1AdventureThe Fatal Cord, and The Falcon RoverIn the wild Arkansas wilderness of a quarter-century ago, six young hunters from diverse backgrounds gather around a campfire, bound by courage and rivalry as they relish their har…
Level C1HistoricalThe Fat and the ThinAmid the vibrant chaos of Paris’s Central Markets, a world teems with life where the beauty of fresh violets contrasts starkly with the gritty reality of bustling market trades and…
Level C1AdventureThe Fashionable Adventures of Joshua Craig: A NovelIn a shabby yet exclusive Washington flat, rugged Joshua Craig, a man of wilderness strength, struggles to blend his raw ambition with the polished world of high society as he prep…
Level C1ClassicsThe Fascinating Stranger, and Other StoriesIn a vast, silent factory filled with abandoned car bodies, Mr.
Level C1RomanceThe FarringdonsIn the industrial heart of England, the Farringdon sisters inherit a vast ironworks and the weight of strict Methodism, navigating family duty, love, and power amid the stark contr…
Level C1Children'sThe Farmer's Boy: One of R. Caldecott's picture booksFollow the lively adventures and charming scenes of a young farmer's boy brought to life through irresistibly humorous and colorful illustrations that delight readers of all ages.
Level C1PoetryThe Farmer's Boy: A Rural PoemA young boy’s life unfolds through the changing seasons of rural England, capturing the simplicity, tenderness, and natural beauty of country living.
Level C1ClassicsThe Far HorizonDominic Iglesias, a middle-aged gentleman and paying guest, gazes out over a peaceful London suburb as storm clouds gather on the horizon, hinting at the quiet tensions beneath gen…
Level C1ClassicsThe Family at Gilje: A Domestic Story of the FortiesSet in the mountain district of Valders, this intimate tale explores the lives and social realities of a Norwegian family in the 1840s, revealing vivid character portraits and the…
Level C1ClassicsThe Family Letters of Oliver Goldsmith: A Paper Read Before the Bibliographical Society, October 15th, 1917Explore the intimate family letters of Oliver Goldsmith, revealing the warmth and simplicity behind the celebrated poet's Irish character through personal correspondence with relat…
Level C1HistoricalThe False One: A TragedyIn a kingdom torn by political intrigue and civil war, Queen Cleopatra is confined under suspicion while powerful factions vie for control of Egypt’s throne.
Level C1MysteryThe False GodsA determined reporter navigates rival secret societies obsessed with Egyptian mysteries and the reincarnation of a famed theosophist, seeking a sensational scoop amid intrigue, riv…
Level C1MysteryThe False Faces: Further Adventures from the History of the Lone WolfAmid the deadly chaos of No Man's Land, a lone man escapes enemy trenches with crucial intelligence, risking everything to reach his allies.
Level C1ClassicsThe Fallen LeavesA young woman’s delicate health sparks a quiet rebellion against her father’s iron rule, setting in motion events that will ripple through lives across land and sea.
Level C1PoetryThe Fall of the NibelungsIn a realm of noble knights and fierce valor, a fair maiden’s haunting dream foretells love and tragedy, while the heroic Siegfried rises to fame amid tournaments and courtly splen…
Level C1FantasyThe Fall of the House of UsherA visitor arrives at the eerie House of Usher, summoned by a childhood friend plagued by mysterious illness and mental torment.
Level C1HistoricalThe Fall of the Great Republic (1886-88)Amidst economic ruin and political folly, a once-great republic faces collapse as unemployment, social unrest, and misguided leadership unravel the promise of popular self-governme…
Level C1AdventureThe Fall of the Grand Sarrasin: Being a Chronicle of Sir Nigel de Bessin, Knight, of Things that Happed in Guernsey Island, in the Norman Seas, in and about the Year One Thousand and Fifty-SevenRaised by monks on Guernsey Island, a young Norman knight-in-training navigates a world of chivalry, friendship, and mystery, haunted by the unknown fate of his parents as he prepa…
Level C1Science FictionThe Fall of a Nation: A Sequel to the Birth of a NationAmid rising tyranny and religious persecution, a young girl’s steadfast faith sparks a fierce struggle for liberty as the seeds of American democracy are sown through sacrifice, ex…
Level C1ClassicsThe Fall of Ulysses: An Elephant StoryAn Englishman acquires Ulysses, a real Asiatic elephant with remarkable intelligence and personality, and sets out to teach him all an elephant can learn—only to discover the preca…
Level C1PoetryThe Fall of TroyAmid the final chapters of the Trojan War, witness the battles and betrayals that unfold after Hector’s funeral, as gods and heroes clash in a tale weaving Homeric spirit with fres…
Level C1HistoricalThe Fall of Prince Florestan of MonacoA young prince unexpectedly becomes heir to the throne of Monaco after a tragic sea voyage claims his cousin and uncle.
Level C1HistoricalThe Fall of Jerusalem: A PoemAmidst divine judgment and national upheaval, witness the poignant tale of Jerusalem’s downfall as a young poet recounts its tragic fate with heartfelt sincerity and humble ambitio…
Level C1HistoricalThe Fall of British Tyranny; Or, American Liberty TriumphantAmid the rising storm of revolution, two shepherds near Lexington and dramatic scenes of patriot sacrifice and naval wit bring to life the fierce struggle against British tyranny.
Level C1AdventureThe Faith of MenIn the frozen wilderness beyond civilization, a mysterious hunter named Thomas Stevens appears, spinning tales of elusive beasts and uncharted lands.
Level C1ClassicsThe Faith Healer: A Play in Three ActsIn a fading Midwestern farmhouse, the arrival of the enigmatic Michaelis stirs restless minds and unsettles old beliefs, challenging a family grappling with illness and fading fort…
Level C1ClassicsThe Faith Doctor: A Story of New YorkIn the bustling heart of New York, Charles Millard navigates the complexities of society and the rising tide of faith-healing movements, exploring the clash between modern skeptici…
Level C1Children'sThe Fairy Tales of Charles PerraultStep into a world where timeless tales come alive, spun by a man of wit and imagination who defied convention and crafted stories that have enchanted generations.
Level C1Children'sThe Fairy RingStep into a magical garden where golden apples grow—each a timeless fairy tale filled with wise animals, brave heroes, and enchanting adventures that reveal the power of kindness,…
Level C1Children'sThe Fairy NightcapsIn a magical hollow beneath the Highlands, fairies gather under moonlight to weave sweet dreams and tender care for a mortal's fading life.
Level C1FantasyThe Fairy LatchkeyPhilomène Isolde lives a quiet, ordinary life in a modest London home, longing for the magic and adventure found in her beloved storybooks.
Level C1Children'sThe Fairy Godmothers and Other TalesIn a magical land where fairies gather to bestow gifts at christenings, they debate which blessings bring true happiness—beauty, envy, or something more.
Level C1PoetryThe Fairy Changeling and Other PoemsIn a world where fairies swap children under moonlight, a desperate father seeks to reclaim his stolen son from a changeling’s grasp.
Level C1Children'sThe Fairy Book: The Best Popular Stories Selected and Rendered AnewStep into a world where seven fairies bestow wondrous gifts on a princess, but a spiteful curse threatens her fate.
Level C1ClassicsThe Fair RewardsA troubled director battles stomach pains and artistic clashes while rehearsing a controversial play poised to captivate women with its scandal and humor.
Level C1HistoricalThe Fair Maid of Perth; Or, St. Valentine's DayIn the historic heart of Edinburgh, ancient royal ghosts and sacred stains hold their ground against modern commerce and irreverence.
Level C1HistoricalThe Fair HavenA provocative exploration challenges both skeptics and defenders of the miraculous in the ministry of Jesus, weaving theological debate with sharp irony.
Level C1HistoricalThe Fair God; or, The Last of the 'Tzins: A Tale of the Conquest of MexicoAmid the clash of civilizations, a noble Tezcucan scholar recounts the rich, fading world of his people as Spanish conquest threatens to erase a culture more advanced than Europe's…
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.