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 C1HistoricalThe Master of the ShellAmidst the lively routines and rivalries of Grandcourt School, a new vacancy for the esteemed Master of the Shell stirs ambitions and tensions among masters and boys alike.
Level C1ClassicsThe Master of the InnNestled in the northern hills, an old colonial tavern becomes a sanctuary where a quiet doctor and a cast of seekers find healing through work, nature, and fellowship—forming a bro…
Level C1MysteryThe Master of the CeremoniesIn the tranquil seaside town of Saltinville, the impeccably kept house of Stuart Denville hides secrets beneath its pristine surface, while a delicate window garden frames the enig…
Level C1RomanceThe Master of Warlock: A Virginia War StoryIn the tranquil Virginia countryside of 1861, a chance encounter between Baillie Pegram and the spirited Agatha Ronald sets the stage for a tense dance of pride, duty, and unexpect…
Level C1ClassicsThe Master of Mrs. Chilvers: An Improbable ComedyIn a drawing-room charged with political fervor, a group of women and men navigate the complexities of the Women’s Parliamentary Franchise League, blending humor and social critiqu…
Level C1ClassicsThe Master of Man: The Story of a SinA scandal at King William’s school exposes a senior boy’s secret nocturnal escapades with a servant girl, igniting a tense search for truth and honor amid strict discipline and sha…
Level C1MysteryThe Master of Greylands: A NovelIn the bustling market-town of Stilborough, a powerful banker faces a desperate crisis as the ledgers reveal troubling secrets that threaten to unravel his empire.
Level C1AdventureThe Master of Ballantrae: A Winter's TaleTwo brothers, heirs to a noble Scottish estate, become bitter enemies amid tales of mystery, death, and family curse.
Level C1RomanceThe Master of Appleby: A Novel Tale Concerning Itself in Part with the Great Struggle in the Two Carolinas; but Chiefly with the Adventures Therein of Two Gentlemen Who Loved One and the Same LadyIn war-torn Carolina, a returned exile faces a deadly challenge from a rival captain tied to a shared love and past betrayals.
Level C1HistoricalThe Master of Aberfeldie, Volume 3 (of 3)Caught between duty and a past love, Eveline grapples with longing and suspicion amid the backdrop of war in Egypt.
Level C1RomanceThe Master of Aberfeldie, Volume 2 (of 3)Amid the haunting towers of Dundargue, a tangled web of love and rivalry unfolds as Allan grapples with suspicion and desire, while a dark vendetta simmers beneath the surface—wher…
Level C1RomanceThe Master of Aberfeldie, Volume 1 (of 3)A Scottish captain returns home after seven years abroad, only to find his fiancée caught in a delicate web of love, loyalty, and an eccentric will.
Level C1RomanceThe Master SpiritIn the heart of London’s political maze, a young man named Herriard navigates the complex social and power dynamics of Parliament and Mayfair’s hidden corners, where ambition, intr…
Level C1MysteryThe Master MummerAn aspiring writer struggles to break free from superficial tales and capture the raw truth of life, while a skeptical friend warns him of the cost.
Level C1ClassicsThe Master CraftsmanIn early 19th-century London, an old tavern holds secrets of a century-old jewel mystery, weaving a charming tale of love, fortune, and the enduring spirit of the city's working cl…
Level C1ClassicsThe Master BuilderAn ambitious architect confronts the haunting consequences of his past and the mysterious influence of a young woman who challenges his mastery and ambition.
Level C1ClassicsThe MassarenesAmid the glittering society of Homburg, a wealthy yet isolated woman struggles to find her place among the titled and idle, revealing that immense fortune cannot buy the elusive gr…
Level C1ClassicsThe MasqueraderOn a fog-bound London night, a tense political atmosphere intertwines with mysterious border uprisings, as John Chilcote navigates both the literal and figurative fog surrounding h…
Level C1HorrorThe Masque of the Red DeathAs a deadly plague ravages the land, Prince Prospero secludes himself with a thousand guests in a fortress, hosting a lavish masquerade within seven eerie, color-themed chambers—ea…
Level C1MysteryThe Masked BridalA masked bridal ceremony turns unexpectedly real when the reluctant bride and groom reveal hidden emotions and identities, sparking mystery and suspense among the guests.
Level C1RomanceThe Mask: A Story of Love and AdventureA newly discovered colossal diamond in South Africa sets off a tense race fraught with danger and secrecy.
Level C1HistoricalThe Marylebone Penny Readings and Their CriticsIn Victorian London, a determined conductor fights to establish the Marylebone Penny Readings—affordable literary gatherings aimed at uplifting the working class—while confronting…
Level C1FantasyThe Marvellous History of the Shadowless Man, and The Cold HeartA man mysteriously loses his shadow, setting off a surreal journey through strange encounters and inner turmoil, while another tale weaves the chilling saga of a man whose heart tu…
Level C1Children'sThe Marvellous Adventures and Rare Conceits of Master Tyll Owlglass: Newly collected, chronicled and set forth, in our English tongueDive into the witty escapades of Master Tyll Owlglass, a clever peasant whose sharp humor and daring tricks expose the follies of society and clergy in medieval Germany, blending l…
Level C1ClassicsThe Martyrdom of MadelineTwo women bound by haunting resemblance navigate a grim night in London, one fierce and determined, the other broken and desperate.
Level C1HistoricalThe Martins Of Cro' Martin, Vol. II (of II)In the vibrant heart of Paris, a disillusioned young man and the flamboyantly ostentatious Mr.
Level C1HistoricalThe Martins Of Cro' Martin, Vol. I (of II)Tensions rise in rural Ireland as old bonds between landlords and tenants fray amid growing distrust and political agitation, setting the stage for a drama of shifting loyalties an…
Level C1ClassicsThe Martian: A NovelDive into the intimate biography of Barty Josselin, a man both myth and reality, whose generosity, humor, and honor shaped those around him.
Level C1ClassicsThe Marryers: A History Gathered from a Brief of the Honorable Socrates PotterA wealthy, enigmatic American financier seeks counsel amid the intrigues of love, art, and society, while a keen observer unravels the hidden currents beneath his reserved exterior…
Level C1HistoricalThe Marrow of TraditionIn the sweltering heat of a Southern night, Major Carteret faces the agonizing ordeal of his wife Olivia's life-threatening childbirth, while shadows of the past and deep family lo…
Level C1Children'sThe MarriagesAt a lavish London gathering, young Adela Chart navigates the imposing world of high society and complex family dynamics, all while sensing the subtle intrigues swirling around her…
Level C1RomanceThe Marriage of William AsheAmbitious William Ashe returns to Parliament amid London’s spring promise, but his mother’s impatience reveals deeper hopes: to see him not just succeed, but settle down—though lov…
Level C1ClassicsThe Marriage of EstherOn a sweltering evening at Thursday Island’s Hotel of All Nations, two mysterious and destitute men—striking in appearance yet shunned by all—arrive under a cloud of suspicion and…
Level C1ClassicsThe Marriage of ElinorA barrister receives a cryptic letter about Elinor’s mysterious new suitor, stirring unexpected emotions and doubts.
Level C1ClassicsThe Marriage ContractA young heir escapes his oppressive father’s control only to inherit a vast estate and squander its fortune across Europe.
Level C1ClassicsThe Marquis of Peñalta (Marta y María): A Realistic Social NovelIn a society where worldly pleasures reign, a passionate young woman wrestles with a profound spiritual calling to renounce the world and embrace the cloistered life of a nun, reve…
Level C1HistoricalThe Marquis of LétorièreIn 1769 Paris, a struggling tailor and his formidable wife clash over lost customers and a mysterious nobleman who owes them money, setting the stage for intrigue amid the city's b…
Level C1ClassicsThe Marquis of LossieOn a frost-kissed winter day at ancient Lossie House, young Malcolm tends a fierce black mare with a restless spirit as he navigates the tension between loyalty and harsh realities…
Level C1AdventureThe MaroonA sprawling Jamaican sugar estate nestles beneath a towering mountain, where the grand Mount Welcome house shelters secrets amid its lush gardens and cool verandas.
Level C1HistoricalThe Marne: A Tale of the WarA privileged American boy’s summers in Europe unfold against a backdrop of beauty and tradition, but as war looms, his carefree world is shaken, drawing him into the unfolding conf…
Level C1ClassicsThe Market-PlaceA victorious man revels in his sweeping conquest, wrestling with the power to show mercy or crush his foes completely.
Level C1MysteryThe Mark of CainIn a smoky London club, a restless host wrestles with his sense of duty and isolation, while his friend—a worldly doctor—challenges him to find purpose beyond his dry philanthropy.
Level C1RomanceThe Marchioness of Brinvilliers, the poisoner of the seventeenth centuryIn 1665 Paris, a charismatic mountebank captivates crowds near the ancient Grand Châtelet, setting the stage for a dark tale of intrigue, poison, and forbidden passions entwined wi…
Level C1AdventureThe March of the White GuardIn the frozen expanse near Great Slave Lake, a missing explorer’s fate sparks a perilous rescue mission led by Jaspar Hume, who must rally a reluctant crew to brave the Arctic's de…
Level C1RomanceThe Marble Faun; Or, The Romance of Monte Beni - Volume 2A sculptor seeking inspiration journeys to a remote Tuscan castle, where ancient towers and sunlit valleys set the stage for artistic discovery and unexpected encounters beneath th…
Level C1RomanceThe Marble Faun; Or, The Romance of Monte Beni - Volume 1In the heart of Rome, four friends—three artists and a rustic young man—find their lives intertwined with the timeless beauty and haunting shadows of ancient sculptures, blurring t…
Level C1RomanceThe Manxman : a novelIn a rugged Manx setting, a stern judge grapples with his sons' clashing ideals and forbidden love, unraveling family secrets and challenging old traditions.
Level C1ClassicsThe Mantle, and Other StoriesIn a world where irony cuts sharper than swords, vivid portraits of human folly and social absurdity unfold with biting satire and unforgettable detail.
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.