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 C1ClassicsRussian essays and storiesExplore a nuanced view of Russia through essays and stories that challenge simplistic political labels, revealing the complex humanity behind revolutionary and reactionary divides.
Level C1ClassicsRuskin RelicsStep into the world of a passionate art teacher whose unconventional methods challenge pupils to see beyond mere technique, revealing the deeper worship and faithfulness to nature…
Level C1PoetryRural Tales, Ballads, and SongsStep into the heart of rural England where village life, simple joys, and timeless nature paint vivid scenes through ballads and tales.
Level C1AdventureRupert of Hentzau: From The Memoirs of Fritz Von Tarlenheim: Sequel to The Prisoner of ZendaIn a kingdom still shadowed by past conspiracies, a cunning exile plots to reclaim his lost power through espionage and revenge, threatening the fragile peace and the secrets that…
Level C1ClassicsRupert GodwinIn a tranquil Hampshire manor, the seafaring Captain Westford’s family basks in idyllic happiness, yet beneath the sunlit beauty lies a looming shadow as duty calls him away, threa…
Level C1AdventureRunnymede and Lincoln FairAmid the turbulent times of 13th-century England, Oliver Icingla, descendant of Saxon chiefs, navigates the fierce political struggles surrounding Magna Carta, revealing the birth…
Level C1MysteryRunning the Gauntlet: A NovelIn the bustling heart of London’s legal world, two brothers run a unique law firm: one caters to the city’s elite, the other defends the desperate criminals lurking in shadowy cour…
Level C1ClassicsRunning WaterA restless mother and her enigmatic daughter travel across Europe by night, caught in a delicate dance of secrets and unspoken fears.
Level C1AdventureRung Ho! A NovelIn a restless colonial city simmering with tension, a determined young woman rides alone through a hostile crowd, shadowed by a mysterious protector with a dangerous past.
Level C1MysteryRun to Earth: A NovelIn the shadowy taverns of 19th-century London’s Ratcliff Highway, a seasoned sea captain and his cunning clerk navigate perilous trade and hidden dangers.
Level C1FantasyRumpty-Dudget's Tower: A Fairy TaleA mischievous dwarf named Rumpty-Dudget lives alone in a gray tower near a magical forest bordering Fairy Land, where three royal siblings discover hidden wonders beyond their pala…
Level C1ClassicsRulers of kings: A novelAn American heir inherits immense wealth yet faces profound discouragement, his ambitions shaped by legends of great leaders.
Level C1HistoricalRule of the Monk; Or, Rome in the Nineteenth CenturyIn 19th-century Rome, amidst conspiracies, exile, and rebellion, a fierce struggle unfolds against the oppressive Papal rule.
Level C1ClassicsRuggles of Red GapIn Paris, the Honourable George braces for a high-stakes poker night with brash Americans while his sharp-tongued brother demands answers about reckless gambling and romantic entan…
Level C1ClassicsRue and RosesA deeply introspective German governess, burdened by family struggles and social isolation, finds her life transformed when a mysterious, enigmatic man ignites her passion and chal…
Level C1AdventureRudyard KiplingDive into an exploration of a writer who captures the heroic life of engineers, soldiers, and adventurers with literary craft and vivid realism, revealing the art behind tales of e…
Level C1ClassicsRudin: A NovelAn introspective young nobleman grapples with ideals and emotions in a world caught between tradition and modernity, revealing the complexities of love, society, and human nature t…
Level C1PoetryRubáiyát of Omar Khayyám, and Salámán and Absál: Together with a Life of Edward Fitzgerald and an Essay on Persian Poetry by Ralph Waldo EmersonDelve into the translated verses of Omar Khayyám, brought to life through Edward FitzGerald’s poetic mastery, accompanied by insights into Persian poetry and the remarkable life of…
Level C1PoetryRubáiyát of Omar Khayyam, Rendered into English VerseExplore a timeless collection of Persian quatrains blending whimsical philosophy, skeptical inquiry, and celebration of life's fleeting pleasures, brought to life through a lyrical…
Level C1HistoricalRoyal HighnessIn a somber capital city, a young lieutenant defies rigid military protocol by commanding unexpected respect from a decorated general, revealing the complex burdens of royal duty c…
Level C1RomanceRowena & Harold: A Romance in Rhyme of an Olden Time, of Hastyngs and NormanhurstIn a land of fierce feuds and forbidden love, a proud maiden defies her Norman father's will to follow her heart for a noble Saxon knight.
Level C1AdventureRowdy of the Cross LCaught in a relentless blizzard on unfamiliar prairie, a rugged cowboy and a lost schoolteacher must rely on each other to navigate the storm and find shelter, forging an uneasy al…
Level C1PhilosophyRousseau and RomanticismExplore the clash between Rousseau's emotional romanticism and the demands of human law, as a critical examination challenges naturalistic excesses and advocates for a modern, expe…
Level C1HistoricalRousseau (Volume 1 and 2)Follow the turbulent life and revolutionary ideas of Rousseau, whose writings on society, education, and government challenge the conventions of his time and ignite political and i…
Level C1AdventureRounding Cape Horn, and Other Sea StoriesBrave life-savers battle a fierce New England storm as a stranded brig struggles against deadly rocks and relentless seas.
Level C1HistoricalRoundabout to Boston (from Literary Friends and Acquaintance)A struggling writer in Venice during the American Civil War navigates literary rejection while forging connections with prominent Boston intellectuals and historians, capturing the…
Level C1ClassicsRoundabout PapersIn a sleepy, timeless town nestled among ancient walls and quiet streets, a young boy’s fascination with a mysterious book draws him away from the pastoral calm, hinting at the sti…
Level C1AdventureRound the World in Eighty DaysA meticulous and enigmatic English gentleman wagers that he can circumnavigate the globe in just eighty days, setting off on a thrilling race against time filled with unexpected ch…
Level C1ClassicsRound the Red Lamp: Being Facts and Fancies of Medical LifeStep into the world of a seasoned country doctor whose rugged exterior hides a deep compassion, as he confronts the harsh realities and enduring challenges of 19th-century medical…
Level C1AdventureRound the Galley FireStranded in a becalmed sea near the equator, a grand Australian passenger ship transforms into a floating ballroom for a lively dance celebrating a young debutante’s birthday.
Level C1MysteryRound the Fire StoriesDive into a chilling collection where the grotesque and mysterious unfold by the fireside, centered around Lionel Dacre's eerie Parisian house filled with occult lore and dark expe…
Level C1ClassicsRound the Corner: Being the Life and Death of Francis Christopher Folyat, Bachelor of Divinity, and Father of a Large FamilyIn a world where gentle birth dictates a man's path, Francis Christopher Folyat must navigate the weight of family legacy, dwindling fortunes, and societal expectations as he seeks…
Level C1ClassicsRound the Block: An American NovelA vibrant city block reveals stark contrasts between wealthy, secluded brownstone mansions and bustling, modest brick shops teeming with life.
Level C1ClassicsRound About a Great EstateIn the quiet expanse surrounding a grand estate, old Hilary Luckett holds deep ties to the land and its traditions, blending rural independence with intimate knowledge of game and…
Level C1ClassicsRossmoyneIn the quiet estate of Rossmoyne, youthful Monica uncovers secrets that stir old rivalries and new romances, while love and mystery intertwine beneath the watchful eyes of a fading…
Level C1ClassicsRosmersholmIn a secluded Norwegian manor, the return of John Rosmer stirs old secrets and unsettled spirits, as Rebecca West and Mr.
Level C1ClassicsRoses: Four One-Act Plays: Streaks of Light—The Last Visit—Margot—The Far-away PrincessIn a fading Rococo pavilion filled with roses and shadows, a passionate yet restless woman clings to fleeting moments of love and sunlight, while a nervous suitor struggles to bala…
Level C1ClassicsRose, Blanche, and Violet, Volume 3 (of 3)In a modest boarding house in 1841 London, artist Cecil struggles with idleness, fading inspiration, and the harsh gap between his grand visions and faltering execution, while his…
Level C1ClassicsRose, Blanche, and Violet, Volume 2 (of 3)Three sisters navigate love, jealousy, and secrets as Blanche wrestles with doubts about her fiancé Cecil’s true character, while Violet warns her against a future with a man both…
Level C1ClassicsRose, Blanche, and Violet, Volume 1 (of 3)Three sisters navigate the challenges of love, character, and moral strength in a small town marked by heat and silence.
Level C1RomanceRose of the WorldIn the exotic heat of colonial India, Major Raymond Bethune, a loyal Englishman devoted to duty, encounters a spirited young English girl whose presence stirs a longing for home an…
Level C1ClassicsRose and RoseA young doctor forms an unexpected bond with Rose, a delicate child whose mother has died, while their artistic neighbor pursues beauty across distant lands.
Level C1HistoricalRose Mather: A taleAs the nation plunges into civil war, a small village unites under the Stars and Stripes, where families face heart-wrenching choices between duty and love.
Level C1ClassicsRose MacLeodIn a grand Georgian house blooming with spring, a spirited grandmother and her poised granddaughter navigate the tensions between past achievements and present expectations, as a m…
Level C1PoetryRose Leaf and Apple LeafExplore a passionate vision of art’s pure beauty, where sorrow and joy intertwine through exquisite poetry that celebrates form, color, and musicality beyond moral or metaphysical…
Level C1HistoricalRose D'Albret; or, Troublous Times.In a turbulent era where chivalry masks harsh realities, a young heiress struggles against the ruthless feudal system that binds her fate—and marriage—to the will of guardians and…
Level C1ClassicsRose ClarkA tender-hearted girl named Rose faces harsh judgment and cruelty in a charity school, where her dignity and past haunt her as she struggles against a world eager to define her by…
Level C1HistoricalRosamund, Queen of the Lombards: A TragedyIn the summer heat of 573 Verona, the Lombard king Albovine wrestles with doubts of love and loyalty as his queen, Rosamund, navigates court intrigues and forbidden desires, settin…
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.