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 C1HistoricalFifty-two Stories of the British Navy, from Damme to Trafalgar.Explore fifty-two gripping tales tracing the rise of the British Navy from early Saxon battles against the Danes to the legendary conflict at Trafalgar, revealing how maritime cour…
Level C1FantasyFifty years hence: or, What may be in 1943: A prophecy supposed to be based on scientific deductions by an improved graphical methodIn 1892, a young electrician and devoted Mason embarks on a bold quest to predict life fifty years into the future, blending scientific insight with mystical tradition to glimpse w…
Level C1PoetryFifty Years, & Other PoemsExplore the rich emotions and cultural heritage of African Americans through powerful lyrics and vibrant dialect poems that capture both universal human experiences and the unique…
Level C1ClassicsFifty Contemporary One-Act PlaysDive into a curated collection where emerging American dramatists and lesser-known foreign voices challenge theatrical norms through fifty one-act plays, each crafted for an experi…
Level C1PoetryFifty "Bab" Ballads: Much Sound and Little SenseSet sail with the devoted Captain Reece, who goes to whimsical lengths to ensure his crew’s happiness—even proposing marriage to his own family’s ladies to lift their spirits aboar…
Level C1PoetryFifteen sonnets of PetrarchBask in the timeless beauty of nature and love as delicate sonnets evoke sunlit shores, blooming flowers, and the tender memory of Laura.
Level C1ClassicsFifteen Days: An Extract from Edward Colvil's JournalA quiet farm life is transformed when a mysterious young visitor arrives, bringing unexpected joy and new connections.
Level C1HistoricalFiesco; or, the Genoese Conspiracy: A TragedyIn 16th-century Genoa, Count Fiesco weaves a tense web of political intrigue and conspiracy, blending personal passion with the ruthless art of statecraft.
Level C1ClassicsFieldingDelve into a meticulously researched biography that unravels the life of Henry Fielding, correcting misconceptions and unveiling new details from his marriages to his literary rela…
Level C1ClassicsFidelity: A NovelTensions simmer beneath polite conversation as old friends reunite in Freeport, revealing unspoken stories of loss, loyalty, and social expectation.
Level C1ClassicsFiddles: 1909In a rustic village, Marny recounts the tale of Fiddles, a charming, roguish musician with a knack for mischief and a mysterious past, whose exploits stir both laughter and intrigu…
Level C1ClassicsFickle FortuneTwo young men, bound by duty and contrasting temperaments, face a grueling winter journey home as they confront family expectations and clashing ambitions—one daring to defy tradit…
Level C1ClassicsFibble, D.D.A well-meaning clergyman sets out to guide the youth of his parish through refined nature study and literature, only to find his well-intentioned plans leading to unexpected and tr…
Level C1ClassicsFiander's Widow: A NovelIn the aftermath of a tragic farmer’s death, an auction disperses his belongings, revealing the struggles of rural life and the fierce grief of a young widow determined to face the…
Level C1RomanceFeudal tyrants; or, The Counts of Carlsheim and Sargans, volume 4 (of 4)Betrayed as an infant heir, Henry of Montfort grows up in secret, raised by a loyal guardian and trained for battle to reclaim his rightful inheritance.
Level C1RomanceFeudal tyrants; or, The Counts of Carlsheim and Sargans, volume 3 (of 4)In a world of hidden snares and secret alliances, Amabel's innocent nature leads her into a web of mystery and danger surrounding her missing sister and a convent refuge.
Level C1RomanceFeudal tyrants; or, The Counts of Carlsheim and Sargans, volume 2 (of 4)Amidst treacherous alliances and hidden betrayals, Urania Venosta and Adelaide of the Beacon-Tower navigate a web of deceit and danger that threatens their lives and hearts in a wo…
Level C1RomanceFeudal tyrants; or, The Counts of Carlsheim and Sargans, volume 1 (of 4)A widowed countess retreats to a convent, her grief for a benefactor-husband intertwined with hidden burdens and difficult choices about wealth, loyalty, and sacrifice in a world o…
Level C1Children'sFestival playsCelebrate the seasons and special days with charming one-act plays featuring personified months and festive legends.
Level C1ClassicsFerragus, Chief of the DévorantsIn the shadowy underworld of Napoleonic Paris, a secret society of thirteen men wields power beyond the law, bound by loyalty and mystery.
Level C1AdventureFern Vale; or, the Queensland Squatter. Volume 3Amid the sun-drenched landscapes of Queensland, a lively gathering of settlers and friends convenes for a spirited day of horse races and camaraderie, where the challenges of bush…
Level C1ClassicsFern Vale; or, the Queensland Squatter. Volume 2Amid the rugged Australian bush, two young men venture into an indigenous corroboree, uncovering mysterious rites of passage and the harsh realities of tribal customs.
Level C1HistoricalFern Vale; or, the Queensland Squatter. Volume 1Explore the untamed frontier of Queensland, where settlers strive to build honor and prosperity amidst prejudice and wild challenges.
Level C1ClassicsFern Leaves from Fanny's Port-folio. Second SeriesEscape to the cozy little brown house where warm family memories bloom amidst the changing seasons, only to face the harsh realities of loss and harsh dependency.
Level C1ClassicsFenwick's CareerA painter torn between the serene landscapes of Westmoreland and the seductive allure of Versailles navigates the profound influence of two women, each shaping his art and destiny…
Level C1RomanceFenton's QuestAn Australian merchant visits the tranquil English village of Lidford, where a chance encounter with a captivating young woman stirs thoughts of a quieter, more meaningful life bey…
Level C1ClassicsFennel and RueA struggling author’s serialized story captivates a mysterious, ailing reader who pleads to know its ending before her time runs out, forcing him to confront the power and meaning…
Level C1HistoricalFenimore Cooper's Literary OffencesExplore a scathing critique of a renowned forest adventure novel, exposing its numerous breaches of storytelling rules and literary art, while delving into the quirks and clichés t…
Level C1ClassicsFenellaA fierce swimmer braves the relentless noontide sun and the wild sea, embodying strength and resilience on a desolate shore where nature’s power both nurtures and destroys.
Level C1HistoricalFeminism in Greek Literature from Homer to AristotleExplore how ancient Greek literature reflects deep-seated conflicts over women's roles, revealing a society divided by a "sex-war" that shaped moral ideals and cultural decline, wh…
Level C1ClassicsFelix O'DayIn rain-soaked Broadway’s dazzling glow, a mysterious man silently watches the theatre crowds, his keen eyes searching for something—or someone—amid the city’s glittering chaos.
Level C1ClassicsFelix Lanzberg's ExpiationIn a languid spa town, a retired officer and a sharp-witted baroness exchange society gossip, unraveling whispered scandals beneath the surface of polite conversation.
Level C1RomanceFelix Holt, the RadicalAmid the changing English countryside and fading traditions, a journey unfolds that reveals the lives, labors, and quiet struggles of rural folk, weaving a rich tapestry of social…
Level C1HistoricalFelicitas: A Tale of the German Migrations: A.D. 476Amid the twilight of Roman rule in the Salzach valley, a young scholar wanders ancient roads and forgotten villas, tracing the silent footsteps of Germanic tribes as they encroach…
Level C1AdventureFeats on the Fiord: The third book in "The Playfellow"Amid Norway’s breathtaking fjords, a remote farmstead thrives in the harsh arctic wilderness where majestic mountains, shimmering waters, and the resilient spirit of its people set…
Level C1ClassicsFaustusA restless scholar confronts the dark forces of ambition and corruption, journeying through cities and courts where vice and virtue clash.![Cover of Faust: a Tragedy [part 1], Translated from the German of Goethe by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dagka1micedc739b5s80.webp)
Level C1PoetryFaust: a Tragedy [part 1], Translated from the German of GoetheA restless scholar, driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge, turns to dark and supernatural forces in a desperate quest for meaning, setting in motion a dramatic clash between…
Level C1PoetryFaust — Part 1A scholar disillusioned by the limits of knowledge makes a pact with a mysterious stranger, unleashing a profound exploration of human desire, ambition, and the quest for meaning a…![Cover of Faust [part 1]. Translated Into English in the Original Metres by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da6p56q2orus73fpjrfg.webp)
Level C1PoetryFaust [part 1]. Translated Into English in the Original MetresA scholar, disillusioned yet desperate for meaning, summons dark forces in a pact that challenges the limits of human knowledge and ambition.
Level C1MysteryFaulkner's FollyIn an elegant Georgian mansion, a mysterious cry for help shatters the night, revealing a lifeless artist in his studio and two women caught in a tense, fearful standoff—unraveling…
Level C1HistoricalFathers of MenTwo new boys arrive at Heriot’s house, sparking quiet judgments and hidden truths beneath their manners and accents.
Level C1HistoricalFathers and SonsA fierce ideological clash unfolds as the nihilist Bazarov challenges the fading Russian aristocracy, igniting tension between the conservative older generation and the rebellious…
Level C1HistoricalFathers and ChildrenGenerations clash in a Russian provincial town where a young nihilist returns home, challenging the old order with radical ideas and stirring tensions between fathers and sons.
Level C1ClassicsFather and Son: A Study of Two TemperamentsA poignant memoir unfolds the clash between two opposing temperaments and eras—a father bound by fading Puritan values and a son propelled toward modernity—capturing a bittersweet…
Level C1ClassicsFather Tom and the PopeIn a lively Dublin debate, Father Tom, a charismatic Irish priest, clashes with the timid Rev.
Level C1ClassicsFather StaffordIn the serene English countryside, Eugene Lane, a young MP with wealth and a promising fiancée, prepares to host one of his notorious weekend parties, where social intrigues and un…
Level C1HistoricalFather GoriotIn a shabby Paris boarding house, a penniless young woman and the mysterious Father Goriot navigate the harsh realities of poverty, ambition, and broken dreams amid the city's grim…
Level C1ClassicsFated to Be Free: A NovelIn a secluded English valley, a faded estate and its weathered past invite exploration through the eyes of a reflective narrator who reveals the intertwined lives of its inhabitant…
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.