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 C1HistoricalThe ElixirIn a Leipzig house once famed for its apothecary shop, the mysterious disappearance of Melchior Ueberhell haunts his family and sparks whispers of secrets, lost legacies, and unexp…
Level C1ClassicsThe Eleven Comedies, Volume 2An old Athenian juryman’s obsession with the courts traps him in a comic battle of wills with his son, who locks him indoors to break his addiction—sparking wild escape attempts an…
Level C1ClassicsThe Eleven Comedies, Volume 1Dive into a world of biting satire, political intrigue, and uproarious farce as eleven ancient comedies expose the follies, scandals, and personalities of Athenian life with sharp…
Level C1ClassicsThe ElevatorIn a finely detailed Boston drawing-room, a Christmas dinner gathers a mix of anxious hosts and quirky guests, where social tensions simmer beneath polite conversation and unexpect…
Level C1PoetryThe Elephant's Ball, and Grand Fete Champetre: Intended as a Companion to Those Much Admired Pieces, the Butterfly's Ball, and the Peacock "At Home."Join a grand fête where majestic elephants and wild beasts gather in a lively celebration, brought to life with elegant engravings and charming verses that delight readers of all a…
Level C1AdventureThe Elephant GodIn the shadowy jungles at the foot of the Himalayas, a determined officer confronts a savage rogue elephant wreaking havoc.
Level C1HistoricalThe Elene of Cynewulf translated into English proseEmperor Constantine faces a vast barbarian horde threatening the Roman realm, but a divine vision offers hope: a radiant warrior reveals a heavenly sign that could turn the tide of…
Level C1PoetryThe Elegies of Tibullus: Being the Consolations of a Roman Lover Done in English VerseA Roman lover shuns the glory and greed of empire for the tender, playful pain of lost loves, longing for simple country life and true fidelity amidst the restless backdrop of war…
Level C1Science FictionThe Electric Man: Being the One Act Version of the Three Act Farcical Comedy of the Same NameA reclusive inventor races against time to stop his stepmother’s sudden marriage, which threatens to steal his inheritance, while mysterious experiments and a secret automaton add…
Level C1ClassicsThe Elect LadyIn a modest Scottish farmhouse kitchen, a spirited exchange unfolds between a laird’s daughter and a farmer’s son as they navigate class, creativity, and the delicate unveiling of…
Level C1ClassicsThe Eldest SonIn a grand oak-paneled hall teeming with family tensions and secrets, a young lady's-maid navigates the complex social world of the Cheshire household, where engagements, scandals,…
Level C1PoetryThe Elder Eddas of Saemund Sigfusson; and the Younger Eddas of Snorre SturlesonDive into ancient Norse mythology and heroic sagas, where kings like Gunther wrestle with passion and loyalty, and legendary figures like Volund the smithy shape a world of magic,…
Level C1ClassicsThe Elder Brother: The Works of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher (Volume 2 of 10)A young noblewoman’s indulgent father urges her to escape the idle life of luxury and embrace wholesome exercise and knowledge, setting the stage for a comedy of wit, duty, and soc…
Level C1Science FictionThe Einstein See-SawAn engineer down on his luck discovers a mysterious desk that vanishes and reappears, bringing with it groundbreaking scientific papers on relativity and the manipulation of tensor…
Level C1RomanceThe Eichhofs: A RomanceIn the glittering world of Berlin's elite, three guardsmen watch a young heiress with intrigue and ambition.
Level C1HistoricalThe Egyptian Book of the deadExplore the ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead, a complex collection of spells and hymns designed to guide the deceased through the afterlife, revealing evolving religious beliefs a…
Level C1RomanceThe Egoist: A Comedy in NarrativeIn a world obsessed with egoism, a sharp-witted comedy peels back the social masks of civilized men and women, revealing the vibrant, often absurd spirit beneath polite society.
Level C1ClassicsThe Efficiency ExpertA college athlete celebrated for his sports victories faces a crucial challenge when the university demands he improve his failing academics or risk expulsion.
Level C1HistoricalThe Education of the NegroAfter the Civil War, millions of newly freed African Americans face the challenge of education and citizenship in a divided society.
Level C1ClassicsThe Editor's Relations with the Young Contributor (from Literature and Life)An editor reflects on the vital, often challenging relationship with young literary contributors, revealing the delicate balance of hope, patience, and high standards that shape em…
Level C1ClassicsThe Edda, Volume 2: The Heroic Mythology of the North: Popular Studies in Mythology, Romance, and Folklore, No. 13Ancient Northern heroes and legends come alive through intertwined tales of smiths, swan-maidens, and vengeance, revealing a rich tapestry of Germanic myths preserved in haunting p…
Level C1ClassicsThe Edda, Volume 1: The Divine Mythology of the North: Popular Studies in Mythology, Romance, and Folklore, No. 12Delve into the ancient Norse myths and heroic poems preserved in the Icelandic Eddas, where gods and legendary heroes come to life through vivid narrative and timeless verse.
Level C1PhilosophyThe EconomistSocrates guides Critobulus through a dialogue on the true meaning of economy, exploring how skillful management transforms possessions into wealth and what it truly means to be a g…
Level C1ClassicsThe Ebbing Of The Tide: South Sea Stories - 1896In the remote Pacific island of Ponape, a tangled tale of love, rivalry, and ancient lore unfolds as Luliban, caught between her fierce husband Red-Hair and her tattooed lover Harr…
Level C1AdventureThe Ebb-Tide: A Trio And QuartetteStranded in the South Seas, three desperate men struggle against poverty and fate on a remote island, bound by misfortune yet haunted by memories of a life far from these tropical…
Level C1ClassicsThe Easiest Way: Representative Plays by American Dramatists: 1856-1911Caught between survival and morality, a woman navigates the harsh realities of a ruthless society that offers the easiest way out.
Level C1PoetryThe Earthly Paradise: A Poem (Part II)In a land where beauty rivals the gods, Psyche, a mortal princess, becomes the target of Venus's wrath and must endure perilous trials to reclaim her lost love, Cupid, and find her…
Level C1HistoricalThe Earth TrembledAs the Civil War erupts, a scholarly widower wrestles with duty and division in the South, while his beloved daughter, Mary, navigates love and loyalty amid mounting conflict and u…
Level C1ClassicsThe Early Short Fiction of Edith Wharton — Part 2Two Americans seek the charm of an ancient English manor, embracing its discomforts and mysteries, including a ghost no one recognizes until long after.
Level C1ClassicsThe Early Short Fiction of Edith Wharton — Part 1A solitary visitor explores the hauntingly majestic, crumbling estate of Kerfol in Brittany, drawn by its silent history and mysterious tombs.
Level C1PoetryThe Early Poems of Alfred Lord TennysonExplore the evolution of a master poet through early lyrical works written from youth to early manhood, offering insight into his developing genius, methods, and themes across a ri…
Level C1HistoricalThe Early Life of Mark Rutherford (W. Hale White)An intimate memoir unfolds as a son recounts the early life of his father, revealing family struggles, artistic promise, and vivid memories of childhood in 19th-century Bedford and…
Level C1RomanceThe Earl's promiseIn a small, sleepy Irish town on the brink of change, hopes rise with the coronation of a new king, stirring dreams of justice and prosperity amid deep-rooted divisions and faded g…
Level C1HistoricalThe Earl of Essex: A Tragedy, in Five ActsIn the court of Queen Elizabeth, the fiery Earl of Essex navigates the volatile tides of loyalty, love, and power, challenged by rivals and the queen’s own complex affections in a…
Level C1ClassicsThe Eagle's HeartIn a small town, Harold Excell’s fiery temper and fierce loyalty shape his turbulent youth, challenging both family ties and community expectations as he navigates the complexities…
Level C1RomanceThe Eagle CliffA spirited young man races through the countryside on his bicycle, chasing the thrill of flight and the promise of the city beyond.
Level C1HistoricalThe Dynasts: An Epic-Drama of the War with NapoleonAmidst the tumult of the Napoleonic Wars, witness an epic drama that intertwines historical events with supernatural insights, revealing the grand clash of peoples and the weighty…
Level C1MysteryThe DynamiterIn the smoky confines of a Soho cigar divan, two old friends reunite to unravel a web of political intrigue and explosive crime.
Level C1PoetryThe Dying Indian's Dream: A PoemIn a Nova Scotia wigwam, a dying Mic-Mac Indian named John Paul shares his serene vision of heaven and the comfort of faith amid threats and hardship, revealing a powerful story of…
Level C1AdventureThe Dyak chief, and other versesVenture deep into the jungles of Central Borneo alongside a traveler who encounters the fierce Dyak tribes, including elusive head-hunters, and experiences a vivid world of adventu…
Level C1ClassicsThe Dwelling Place of Light — CompleteAmid the relentless tide of industrial change, Edward Bumpus struggles to find his place after losing his ancestral roots and faith in a shifting New England city, confronting a wo…
Level C1ClassicsThe Dweller on the ThresholdA respected clergyman with a hidden sadness encounters Evelyn Malling, a determined psychical researcher, sparking a mysterious connection amidst London's vibrant springtime.
Level C1HistoricalThe Dust of ConflictAn English country estate hides tensions beneath its serene landscape as Bernard Appleby, a sharp-eyed adventurer and reluctant heir, navigates strained alliances and simmering con…
Level C1ClassicsThe Dust FlowerCaught between his fiancée’s fierce demands and his own wild habits, Rashleigh Allerton faces a tempest of love, honor, and rebellion.
Level C1MysteryThe Dunwich horrorIn a remote Massachusetts village shrouded in decay and ancient dread, eerie stone circles and dark legends hint at sinister forces lurking beyond the natural world.
Level C1MysteryThe DumplingA summer day’s trespass leads a man to a serene lake where an unexpected encounter with a mysterious, enchanting woman in the water sparks a tale of intrigue, romance, and a brewin…
Level C1ClassicsThe Dull Miss ArchinardA weary landowner finds solace in peaceful fishing by his new estate, where the lively voices of two contrasting sisters from a neighboring property spark a quiet, intriguing glimp…
Level C1RomanceThe Duke's Sweetheart: A RomanceA charming gentleman known as the Duke of Long Acre, with no lands or title but a radiant spirit, prepares for a pivotal meeting with the lady who has captured his heart, setting t…
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.