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 C1HistoricalA Frontier MysteryRival warriors on opposite sides of a river face off in a fierce, bloodied contest, bound by shared heritage yet divided by fierce loyalty and territory.
Level C1HistoricalA Friend of Cæsar: A Tale of the Fall of the Roman Republic. Time, 50-47 B.C.In the heated summer of 50 B.
Level C1ClassicsA Fountain SealedIn wintry Boston, three lifelong friends from vastly different worlds—steadfast Mary, elegant yet discontent Rose, and restless Jack—navigate the complexities of love, loss, and id…
Level C1AdventureA Fortune Hunter; Or, The Old Stone Corral: A Tale of the Santa Fe TrailAmid the serene yet untamed Santa Fe Trail, a haunting tragedy lingers at the Old Stone Corral, where lost love and buried secrets await discovery.
Level C1HistoricalA Forgotten Hero; Or, Not for HimIn 1290 England, young Clarice is sent away from home to be educated under noble ladies, navigating the rigid customs and whispered scandals of medieval court life as she prepares…
Level C1RomanceA Forest Hearth: A Romance of Indiana in the ThirtiesIn the untamed wilderness of 1830s Indiana, a fiercely just matriarch battles nature and family strife while her gentle daughter, Rita, navigates the harsh realities of pioneer lif…
Level C1ClassicsA Foregone ConclusionIn wartime Venice, Don Ippolito, a reserved priest, nervously seeks a passport from the American consul, navigating the city's silent canals and hidden tensions.
Level C1RomanceA Fool for LoveIn a rain-soaked Kansas City station, two men embark on a grueling winter journey to the rugged mountains, where unexpected encounters with a striking, proud woman from distinguish…
Level C1RomanceA Fool and His MoneyA young man inherits a fortune and sets out to prove his uncle wrong about fools and money, navigating the trials of youth, ambition, and the literary world while discovering what…
Level C1ClassicsA Fool There WasIn a distinguished New York neighborhood, two boys and a girl grow up amid the weight of family legacy and quiet ambitions, where inherited virtues meet the mysteries of life and h…
Level C1ClassicsA Fluttered DovecoteAt eighteen, Laura Bozerne feels trapped in the stifling confines of Chester Square, her life marked by tears and turmoil as she begins to chronicle a year filled with emotional ch…
Level C1ClassicsA Florentine Tragedy; La Sainte CourtisaneIn a world where art defies censorship and scandal, a controversial play unfolds, exploring passion, power, and forbidden desires.
Level C1AdventureA Floating City, and The Blockade RunnersEmbark on the monumental voyage aboard the “Great Eastern,” a colossal steamship that sails like a floating city across the Atlantic.
Level C1ClassicsA Fleet in Being: Notes of Two Trips With The Channel SquadronStep aboard a cutting-edge cruiser and join a youthful, daring crew as they navigate intricate naval maneuvers, balancing precision, speed, and camaraderie in the tense world of th…
Level C1Children'sA Flat Iron for a Farthing; or, Some Passages in the Life of an only SonAn only son recounts tender memories of his brief time with his baby sister and the loving care of a gentle nurse, capturing childhood’s bittersweet moments and the small wonders o…
Level C1HistoricalA First Year in Canterbury SettlementAn Englishman embarks on a challenging first year in the Canterbury Settlement, navigating colonial life through vivid letters and journal entries that reveal the raw, youthful per…
Level C1ClassicsA First Family of TasajaraA remote general store in the struggling Sidon settlement faces relentless storms and stalled progress, as locals debate the future of their isolated community and the elusive prom…
Level C1ClassicsA Few Suggestions to McGraw-Hill Authors.: Details of manuscript preparation, typograpy, proof-reading and other matters in the production of manuscripts and books.Explore expert guidance on manuscript preparation, typography, and proofreading designed to help authors produce high-quality technical books with consistent style and editorial st…
Level C1ClassicsA Few Short SketchesAmid the glittering society of a grand reception, a mysterious young woman captivates with her perfumed gloves and elusive Russian violets, sparking a night of charm, intrigue, and…
Level C1PoetryA Few Figs from ThistlesFiery and rebellious poems ignite passionate defiance and delicate introspection, weaving vivid images of love, life, and identity with sharp wit and lyrical grace.
Level C1ClassicsA Fearful Responsibility and Other StoriesA historian escapes the American Civil War’s turmoil to Venice, wrestling with guilt and purpose as he pursues his research amid a city under foreign rule and the shadow of impendi…
Level C1AdventureA Fascinating Traitor: An Anglo-Indian StoryStranded in Geneva and burdened by lost fortunes, Major Alan Hawke grapples with despair amid memories of his adventurous past across Asia.
Level C1ClassicsA Far Country — CompleteA corporation lawyer reflects on his restless American youth, shaped by ambition, family expectations, and the clash between romantic dreams and stern Calvinist values.
Level C1ClassicsA Family Man : in three actsIn a quiet provincial town, John Builder balances family tensions and political ambitions as he contemplates reconciling with his estranged daughter while preparing to accept the m…
Level C1ClassicsA Fair PenitentA passionate French actress, known for her strength and fiery spirit, faces heartbreak when her lover rejects marriage, leading her to a profound spiritual awakening and a dramatic…
Level C1ClassicsA Fair JewessA dedicated but struggling doctor prepares to leave his impoverished Portsmouth practice for London, driven by ambition and compassion for those he must leave behind.
Level C1RomanceA Fair BarbarianWhen the stylish and spirited Octavia Bassett arrives from America, the quiet English town of Slowbridge braces for a whirlwind of change, scandal, and unexpected romance that thre…
Level C1ClassicsA Face IlluminedA determined young artist, torn between ambition and inspiration, pours himself into a perfect painting as dusk falls, while his easygoing friend urges him to seize life's pleasure…
Level C1PoetryA Fable for CriticsDive into a witty poetic medley that playfully critiques and celebrates contemporary poets with sharp humor and lively rhythm, offering a unique glimpse into the literary scene thr…
Level C1ClassicsA Duel in the Dark: An Original Farce, in One ActA husband’s flirtation with a mysterious veiled Countess turns into a tangled comedy of mistaken identity when his own wife, disguised and determined to test his fidelity, arrives…
Level C1ClassicsA DuelA newlywed woman discovers her husband's financial ruin and deceit, unraveling a web of lies involving his mother’s small shop and their dwindling fortunes.
Level C1ClassicsA Drift from Redwood CampIn the aftermath of a devastating flood, a shiftless outcast drifts into an uncharted wilderness, forced to rely on raw instinct and newfound acuity to survive amid hostile surroun…
Level C1AdventureA Dream of the North SeaAmid fierce North Sea storms, a determined young woman faces relentless waves and harsh weather aboard a schooner yacht, embodying courage and hope.
Level C1HistoricalA Dream of John Ball; and, A King's LessonTransported to a vivid medieval English village, a dreamer encounters a mysterious armored figure and a world where history's beauty and social struggles come alive, challenging hi…
Level C1HistoricalA Dream of Empire; Or, The House of BlennerhassettOn Blennerhassett Island in spring, an English overseer tends a new plantation amid blooming orchards and fields, while a curious stranger arrives by the river, setting the stage f…
Level C1FantasyA Draught of the Blue, together with An Essence of the DuskIn a land where death is but an illusion and the color blue holds mystical power, witness a tale woven with cosmic echoes and eternal consequences, where every action reverberates…
Level C1ClassicsA Drama on the SeashoreA young dreamer, standing on a rocky seashore, envisions a future filled with grand ambitions and the joys of love.
Level C1ClassicsA Drake by George!When the larger-than-life Captain Drake arrives in the quiet parish of Highfield, his booming voice, exotic treasures, and imposing presence disrupt the local order, sparking confl…
Level C1FantasyA Double StoryIn a land where uncertainty reigns and golden rain falls, two baby girls are born worlds apart—one a royal princess taught to believe she is Somebody, the other a humble shepherd’s…
Level C1ClassicsA Double KnotA young woman pleads for her mother's mercy after a scandalous betrayal threatens to shatter their family’s fragile peace.
Level C1MysteryA Double Barrelled Detective StoryA young wife endures cruel torment in a bitter family feud, while years later, her secretive life with a remarkable son unfolds in a quiet New England village—where mysteries lurk…
Level C1Children'sA Dog with a Bad NameAt a rundown school known for its neglect and low standards, a new young headmaster arrives determined to shake things up—imposing strict rules and making football compulsory—spark…
Level C1ClassicsA Doctor of the Old School — CompleteIn a rugged Scottish village where hardy men defy the elements and tradition reigns, a devoted country doctor confronts the trials of rural life with unwavering courage and compass…
Level C1FantasyA Diversity of CreaturesIn a futuristic world governed by the Aërial Board of Control, Northern Illinois secedes from all communication systems, sparking a tense investigation into privacy and control ami…
Level C1ClassicsA Distinguished Provincial at ParisA young provincial and a mysterious woman journey to Paris, where ambition, love, and social intrigue collide amid the city's unforgiving salons and hidden scandals.
Level C1ClassicsA Dissertation upon Roast PigIn a world where humans once ate meat raw, a young boy’s accidental fire reveals the delicious secret of roasting pork, sparking a surprising discovery that changes culinary histor…
Level C1HistoricalA Dish of Orts : Chiefly Papers on the Imagination, and on ShakespeareExplore the nature and power of imagination as a divine creative faculty, unveiling its role in education, art, and understanding beyond mere facts.
Level C1HistoricalA Discourse on the Life, Character and Writings of Gulian Crommelin Verplanck: Delivered before the New-York Historical Society, May 17th, 1870Explore the rich legacy of Gulian Crommelin Verplanck, a pivotal figure whose life intertwined with literature, legislation, and public service in early New York.
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.