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 C1HistoricalDemetrius: A PlayAmidst a tense Polish Diet, Prince Demetrius boldly claims his right to the Russian throne as Ivan's son, seeking justice and protection in a realm torn by past wars and political…
Level C1HistoricalDelusion; or, The Witch of New EnglandIn a remote New England village shadowed by superstition and hardship, a timid young man battles the weight of his humble origins and a society gripped by delusion, seeking strengt…
Level C1ClassicsDelsarte System of OratoryExplore the art of oratory through detailed lessons on voice, gesture, and expression, revealing the principles that transform speech into powerful communication.
Level C1ClassicsDelight and power in speechDiscover a practical, inspiring guide to mastering the natural art of speech and reading aloud, unlocking the power of voice and expression to captivate any audience with clarity,…
Level C1ClassicsDelia BlanchflowerAn Englishman on holiday in a Tyrolese hotel observes a striking mix of cultures and faces, especially two contrasting young women whose beauty and temper hint at deeper tensions a…
Level C1ClassicsDelaware; or, The Ruined Family. Vol. 3A man burdened with secret wealth seeks to resolve tangled family debts and unspoken loves, navigating delicate pride and hidden motives.
Level C1ClassicsDelaware; or, The Ruined Family. Vol. 2A wealthy family’s fortune hinges on a looming debt, while a mysterious fire at a neighbor’s estate raises suspicions of foul play.
Level C1ClassicsDelaware; or, The Ruined Family. Vol. 1In the Italian countryside, a chance meeting between travelers sparks a year-long companionship filled with intriguing stories and shared adventures, revealing the complex lives be…
Level C1AdventureDelaware Tom; or, The Traitor GuideA weary wagon train crosses a harsh, barren plain under the watch of three striking figures: an old guide, a notorious and mistrusted man known as Dusky Dick, and a proud young wom…
Level C1PoetryDeirdre wed and other poemsStep into ancient Ireland where Deirdre's forbidden love for Naois, one of the three sons of Usnach, unfolds through haunting voices of bards and vivid landscapes steeped in myth a…
Level C1ClassicsDeirdre of the SorrowsIn a rugged Irish landscape, a young woman named Deirdre defies the wishes of the High King Conchubor, whose desire to claim her as queen sets the stage for tension and tragedy.
Level C1FantasyDeirdreIn a realm shadowed by ominous omens and royal intrigue, a newborn girl named Deirdre is prophesied to bring destruction to Ulster.
Level C1ClassicsDeficient Saints: A Tale of MaineIn a quiet Maine town, the devout Mrs.
Level C1AdventureDeering of Deal; Or, The Spirit of the SchoolA young Southern boy arrives late to Deal School, a storied academy steeped in family tradition and history, where he must navigate new challenges and forge his own path amid the e…
Level C1ClassicsDeerbrookIn the tranquil village of Deerbrook, the Grey family anticipates the arrival of distant relatives whose uncertain future stirs quiet expectations.
Level C1AdventureDeep-Sea PlunderingsA majestic clipper ship races toward Melbourne, overshadowing a rugged, old-fashioned whaler whose sudden, swift deployment of boats hints at thrilling adventures beneath the waves…
Level C1ClassicsDeep channelA timid girl navigates the harsh streets and schoolyard of Hart’s Run, where fear and cruelty shadow her childhood.
Level C1HistoricalDeep Waters; Or, A Strange StoryAmidst the grandeur of a Southern university commencement, a young orator captivates a crowd with a haunting speech on human sorrow, setting the stage for a remarkable journey thro…
Level C1AdventureDeep Down, a Tale of the Cornish MinesA determined young adventurer sets out on foot across the rugged Cornish moorlands, guided by necessity and curiosity, only to find himself lost and drawn into unexpected encounter…
Level C1HistoricalDeeds of Daring Done by GirlsIn a medieval castle, a spirited young lady defies expectations with her courage and wit, proving that daring deeds are not reserved for boys alone.
Level C1MysteryDecember LoveIn autumn London, a Foreign Office man learns of Lady Sellingworth, a once-glorious beauty who mysteriously vanished from society after her priceless jewels were stolen in Paris—an…
Level C1Children'sDeccan Nursery Tales; or, Fairy Tales from the SouthIn a vibrant Indian town, a poor Brahman encounters mystical nymphs who reveal sacred rites honoring the sun, setting him on a path of devotion, fortune, and unexpected royal atten…
Level C1PhilosophyDecadence, and Other Essays on the Culture of IdeasDive into fearless essays that challenge dogma and tradition, exploring reason, truth, and love through sharp skepticism and provocative insights that dissolve accepted beliefs and…
Level C1PoetryDebris: Selections from PoemsIn a crumbling, haunted mission by the sea, a mysterious guide reveals a chilling tale of love, loss, and ghostly faces at a cursed window—where the past and present collide in sha…
Level C1PoetryDebits and creditsIn a world shaped by divine forces and cosmic struggles, the creation of Adam unfolds amid celestial commands, earthly lamentations, and the cunning of dark forces.
Level C1ClassicsDebit and CreditIn mid-19th century Prussia, the novel explores the complex social dynamics between the higher and middle classes, revealing profound truths about societal change through richly dr…
Level C1Children'sDebating for boysBoys learn to debate as a vital skill for clear thinking and effective argument, training their minds to seek truth rather than victory.
Level C1MysteryDeath, the Knight, and the Lady: A Ghost StoryA friend summons you to a remote Yorkshire estate to oversee the mysterious burial of Sir Gerald Wilder, a man who seems both alive and spectral, shrouded in secrets and sorrow.
Level C1RomanceDeath to the Inquisitive! A story of sinful loveIn the grimy shadows of London's Whitechapel, Queen Liz's mysterious ties to a wealthy Chinese man and a secretive gentleman from high society spark tension and danger amidst the a…
Level C1HistoricalDeath comes for the archbishopIn 1848, a missionary bishop and three Cardinals gather in Rome to discuss establishing a new Apostolic Vicarate in the vast, untamed territory of New Mexico, where ancient faith s…
Level C1FantasyDear BrutusIn a dimly lit room where darkness and light silently clash, six women gather, each harboring secrets and desires that will unravel by dawn.
Level C1Children'sDeaf and Dumb!A young boy eagerly anticipates a joyful ride to his nurse’s house, surrounded by caring friends and family.
Level C1HistoricalDeadham Hard: A RomanceIn the shadowy world of Deadham Hard, a scholar seeks refuge in a house steeped in mystery and moral ambiguity, where rivers meet and secrets flow beneath the surface.
Level C1RomanceDead-sea fruit, Vol. 3 (of 3)Haunted by love and betrayal, a man searches desperately for Medora, who has vanished after witnessing his secret meetings with another woman.
Level C1RomanceDead-sea fruit, Vol. 2 (of 3)A weary aristocrat returns to his childhood estate, seeking solace and rekindled friendships amidst memories and faded dreams.
Level C1ClassicsDead-sea fruit, Vol. 1 (of 3)In a tranquil Belgian city frozen in time, a young English tutor with a mysterious past navigates quiet streets and a solitary existence, haunted by the absence of his father's ide…
Level C1ClassicsDead men's shoes, vol. 3 (of 3)Haunted by past sorrows and village scandal, Alexis finds solace and unexpected affection in caring for a mysterious child and his devoted nurse, Linda.
Level C1ClassicsDead men's shoes, vol. 2 (of 3)In a provincial town where social ambitions clash, Sibyl faces the scrutiny of the county elite and the unsettling prospect of a serious courtship from Sir Wilford Cardonnel.
Level C1ClassicsDead men's shoes, vol. 1 (of 3)A young woman, burdened by poverty and past hardships, receives a letter offering a chance to escape her bleak existence by reconnecting with a wealthy, eccentric uncle.
Level C1ClassicsDead lettersStep into a world where history and imagination intertwine through a collection of fictional letters from legendary figures, revealing unexpected glimpses behind timeless myths and…
Level C1ClassicsDead SoulsA cunning man embarks on a journey across Russia to buy up "dead souls"—deceased serfs still registered for tax—to amass a fortune through deception.
Level C1MysteryDead Men Tell No TalesA young woman with a mysterious past embarks on a long sea voyage back to England, accompanied by a noble step-father and a motley crew of passengers, each carrying their own secre…
Level C1MysteryDead Man's RockHaunted by a cryptic will and a family legacy tied to a legendary gem, a man unravels dark secrets from his grandfather's mysterious past, smuggling tales, and a vanished fortune.
Level C1HistoricalDead Man's Plack and an Old ThornIn the quiet solitude of Hampshire's Harewood Forest, a chance encounter with a mysterious stone cross unravels a centuries-old legend about King Edgar and a fatal betrayal.
Level C1HistoricalDe Quincey's Revolt of the TartarsImmerse yourself in a richly imagined episode of Russian history as a brilliant and eccentric mind weaves vivid narrative from obscure sources, blending scholarly insight with impa…
Level C1ClassicsDe ProfundisIn the shadowed confines of a prison cell, a once-celebrated man confronts unending sorrow and the weight of disgrace, weaving a profound meditation on suffering, love, and redempt…
Level C1PhilosophyDe OfficiisAmid the collapse of the Roman Republic, a statesman turns to philosophy to guide his son through the practical duties of life, blending Greek ethical thought with Roman values to…
Level C1HistoricalDe Libris: Prose and VerseExplore the rich history and curious associations behind rare books, from Bacon’s reflections on life to the artistic legacy of Thomas Bewick, uncovering captivating stories that l…
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.