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 C1ClassicsThe Spoilt Child: A Tale of Hindu Domestic LifeA sharp-witted satire explores the challenges of domestic life in a traditional Hindu household, revealing the clash between old customs and emerging modern values through the tale…
Level C1ClassicsThe Spoils of PoyntonAmid the oppressive ugliness of Waterbath, two women—each craving escape—find an unexpected bond that reveals the quiet desperation lurking beneath genteel appearances and the shar…
Level C1AdventureThe SpoilersIn the harsh Alaskan frontier, gold fever sparks fierce battles over claims and survival.
Level C1AdventureThe Splendid Spur: Being Memoirs of the Adventures of Mr. John Marvel, a Servant of His Late Majesty King Charles I, in the Years 1642-3Amidst the turmoil of 1642-3, a loyal servant embarks on daring adventures for King Charles I, weaving humor, suspense, and memorable characters into a vivid historical tapestry.
Level C1HistoricalThe Splendid Idle Forties: Stories of Old CaliforniaIn sunlit Monterey, rival caballeros clash in a thrilling horse race that ignites old regional tensions between North and South California, while a handsome stranger’s dark horses…
Level C1RomanceThe Splendid FollyCaught in a blustery chase to retrieve scattered music sheets, a young woman encounters a stern, enigmatic man whose judgment could make or break her singing career—will his verdic…
Level C1ClassicsThe Splendid FairingIn a mist-shrouded town, the weary Thornthwaites struggle against a relentless tide of misfortune on their isolated marsh farm, Sandholes.
Level C1RomanceThe Spirit of the Border: A Romance of the Early Settlers in the Ohio ValleyAmid the untamed wilderness of the Ohio Valley, a young couple faces the daunting frontier and the fierce conflicts between settlers, outlaws, and Native Americans.
Level C1HistoricalThe Spirit of the Age; Or, Contemporary PortraitsImmerse yourself in vivid portraits of influential thinkers shaping a transformative era, from Jeremy Bentham’s radical legal reforms to the intellectual currents defining contempo…
Level C1ClassicsThe Spirit of Place, and Other EssaysExplore the elusive "spirit of place" through reflections on bells, local sounds, and the subtle essence that makes each location uniquely memorable.
Level C1ClassicsThe Spinners' Book of FictionIn a city scarred by fire and turmoil, Sister Teresa wrestles with her faith, beauty, and a haunting past as she navigates the harsh realities of San Francisco’s streets and the sa…
Level C1MysteryThe SpiderInside the lavish Athenian Club, where ancient grandeur meets cutting-edge ideas, a striking young man navigates a world buzzing with scandal, invention, and political intrigue—set…
Level C1ClassicsThe SpellAmid the timeless beauty of Florence and Fiesole, a young couple embarks on an intimate journey through history, culture, and personal discovery, where ancient legends and modern p…
Level C1MysteryThe Spectre In The Cart: 1908A hardened skeptic confronts chilling apparitions and political unrest in a post-Reconstruction Southern county, where old alliances fracture and a mysterious ghostly presence chal…
Level C1ClassicsThe Speaker, No. 5: Volume II, Issue 1: December, 1906.Explore the art of public speaking as it trains the will, cultivates sincerity, and demands self-discipline—uncovering the true power behind effective expression beyond mere gestur…
Level C1AdventureThe Spanish brothersIn 16th-century Spain, two noble brothers navigate the trials of a fallen family legacy amid castle walls and rainy days.
Level C1RomanceThe Spanish JadeIn sunlit Castile, a young man with a dangerous secret rides toward a fateful encounter, weaving through a land as stark and unyielding as his own wild heart.
Level C1AdventureThe Spanish Galleon: Being an account of a search for sunken treasure in the Caribbean Sea.Stranded on a remote Caribbean island after a shipwreck, a determined descendant of a famed buccaneer battles exhaustion and thirst while clinging to a chest that may hold sunken t…
Level C1HistoricalThe Spanish Cavalier: A Story of SevilleIn sun-drenched Seville, a proud caballero struggles beneath the weight of shattered dignity and dire necessity, navigating a world where honor clashes with harsh reality and the f…
Level C1HistoricalThe Span o' Life: A Tale of Louisbourg & QuebecIn the aftermath of the doomed Jacobite Rebellion, Hugh Maxwell navigates the perilous streets of London disguised as a commoner, caught between loyalty and survival.
Level C1ClassicsThe SowersAcross the vast, bleak plains of Tver, an English-born prince inherits a sprawling Russian estate, struggling with his unexpected title and responsibilities amid a land as harsh as…
Level C1HistoricalThe Southern war poetry of the Civil WarExplore the powerful, heartfelt poetry born in the Confederate South during the Civil War, revealing the raw emotions and cultural spirit often overlooked in history.
Level C1ClassicsThe Sources and Analogues of 'A Midsummer-night's Dream'Explore the intricate origins of the enchanting play where love's folly, fairy magic, and comic buffoonery intertwine.
Level C1ClassicsThe Soul of Susan YellamIn the quiet village of Nether-Applewhite, the formidable Susan Yellam commands respect from pew to parish, navigating tradition, family expectations, and social change as her son’…
Level C1RomanceThe Sorrows of Young WertherA sensitive young artist escapes to a serene valley, where nature’s beauty and tranquil solitude awaken his soul, yet his heart wrestles with past sorrows and complicated attachmen…
Level C1ClassicsThe Sorrows of Satan: or, The Strange Experience of One Geoffrey Tempest, Millionaire: A RomanceA struggling writer confronts the harsh realities of poverty and social injustice in Victorian London, embarking on a strange and transformative experience that challenges his beli…
Level C1HistoricalThe Sorrows of Belgium: A Play in Six ScenesAs war looms over Belgium in 1914, the peaceful garden of a revered Belgian author becomes a poignant stage for the nation's unfolding tragedy, capturing the tension between serene…
Level C1RomanceThe Sorceress; v. 1 of 3A young family’s lively world is upended by a surprising marriage proposal from a dashing dragoon without noble rank, stirring excitement and social tension.
Level C1HistoricalThe Sorceress: A Drama in Five ActsAmid the shadows of poverty and despair in 19th-century Paris, a determined young man battles hardship and ambition, driven by a passion for literature and the stage.
Level C1ClassicsThe Sorceress, v. 3 of 3A devastated young man flees Oxford after a crushing heartbreak, plunging into London’s chaos with no plan or hope, haunted by the collapse of his dreams and searching for meaning…
Level C1ClassicsThe Sorceress, v. 2 of 3Amidst a devastating personal crisis and her mother’s grave illness, Bee struggles to hold onto faith and courage as her world crumbles around her, challenging everything she once…
Level C1HistoricalThe Sorceress of RomeIn tenth-century Rome, a city torn by corruption, rebellion, and foreign intrigue, secret passions and deadly power struggles unfold amid the crumbling empire and shadowy factions…
Level C1RomanceThe Sorceress (complete)In a lively family shaken by a surprising marriage proposal, young Bee’s world is upended as societal expectations and romantic rivalries swirl around her, challenging the bonds be…
Level C1PoetryThe Sonnets of Michael Angelo Buonarroti and Tommaso Campanella; Now for the First Time Translated into Rhymed EnglishExplore the profound sonnets of a Renaissance master and a daring philosopher, whose verses reveal a clash of artistic beauty and revolutionary ideas amid Italy's turbulent cultura…
Level C1ClassicsThe Song of the WolfA rugged cowboy confronts the harsh beauty of the western wilderness, wrestling with his own inner turmoil amid the vast, untamed landscape.
Level C1Children'sThe Song of the LarkIn a quiet Colorado town, a young doctor navigates the challenges of small-town life and personal duties on a snowy night, revealing the delicate balance between duty and desire un…
Level C1PoetryThe Song of the Flag: A National OdeExperience a passionate journey through lyrical landscapes where love, music, and nature intertwine in vivid odes and sonnets, capturing the triumph and redemption of the heart wit…
Level C1ClassicsThe Song of the CardinalIn a vibrant southern orchard and the wild Limberlost swamp, a young cardinal’s brilliant plumage and joyful song herald a world teeming with colorful birds, buzzing insects, and t…
Level C1ClassicsThe Song of SongsA controversial novel sparks debate over morality and censorship as a publisher confronts accusations of obscenity.
Level C1RomanceThe Song of RolandAs King Charles conquers Spain, the besieged pagan King Marsile plots peace through deceit, sending envoys bearing olive branches to negotiate while preparing for betrayal.
Level C1HistoricalThe Song of Lancaster, Kentucky: To the statesmen, soldiers, and citizens of Garrard County.Journey to the rugged wilderness of early Kentucky, where peaceful forests and native tribes give way to the fierce struggles of settlers and pioneers like Daniel Boone carving a n…
Level C1PoetryThe Song of HiawathaJourney into the rich legends of the Ojibway and other North American tribes through the haunting, lyrical tales sung by the musician Nawadaha, revealing the birth and deeds of Hia…
Level C1PoetryThe Song Book of Quong Lee of LimehouseIn the bustling Limehouse district, a shopkeeper surrounded by the scents of his homeland reflects on life, music, and fleeting encounters, revealing a poignant blend of cultural m…
Level C1AdventureThe Son of the WolfIn the relentless Alaskan wilderness, two men and a woman struggle to survive a grueling 200-mile journey with starving, vicious sled dogs and scarce supplies, testing their endura…
Level C1ClassicsThe Son of a ServantA gifted man battles neglect, misunderstanding, and the harsh legacy of his lowly birth as he forges his path through a world that offers little sympathy for his temperamental geni…
Level C1FantasyThe Son of TarzanA mysterious, broken man emerges from the African jungle, haunted by a decade of torment and hatred.
Level C1ClassicsThe Son of His Father; vol. 3/3A young man grapples with the moral complexities of crime and redemption as he forms an unlikely alliance with a troubled visitor, exploring despair, hope, and the power of charity…
Level C1ClassicsThe Son of His Father; vol. 2/3Thrown into a new life with his mother in bustling London, a young man faces the harsh reality of leaving his quiet past behind and stepping into an uncertain future where he must…
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.