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 Pillars of the House; Or, Under Wode, Under Rode, Vol. 2 (of 2)In a world weighed down by family duty and personal sacrifice, Wilmet and Alda navigate love, illness, and restless longing amid the shifting fortunes of the Underwood household.
Level C1HistoricalThe Pillars of the House; Or, Under Wode, Under Rode, Vol. 1 (of 2)In a modest English household, young Felix Underwood receives a long-awaited letter that promises a rare treat for his struggling family, setting the stage for a poignant tale of h…
Level C1AdventureThe Pillar of LightA solitary lighthouse keeper finds refuge from a haunted past on a remote granite pillar, where the relentless sea and a looming Atlantic liner signal the start of an adventure ble…
Level C1HistoricalThe Pillar of Fire; or, Israel in BondageIn a time when Egypt's native kings oppress the growing children of Israel, a young Phoenician prince embarks on a journey to the powerful Egyptian court, witnessing firsthand the…
Level C1FantasyThe Pilgrims of the RhineJourney along the enchanting Rhine with Gertrude and Trevylyan, where love, legends, and the mystical spirit of the river intertwine in a tale blending romance, fantasy, and poetic…
Level C1HistoricalThe Pilgrims of New England: A Tale of the Early American SettlersAmidst barren shores and stormy seas, a band of Puritan exiles arrive in New England, driven by faith and hope but soon confronted by harsh realities and internal conflicts.
Level C1PoetryThe Pilgrims of Hope and Chants for SocialistsAmid the awakening spring, a stirring wind carries the message of hope and uprising from the fields to the heart of London, where love and revolution intertwine.
Level C1HistoricalThe Pilgrim, and the American of Today—(1892)On a cold December night, a small band of Pilgrims anchor on a vast, unknown continent, facing a wild wilderness and uncertain future.
Level C1HistoricalThe Pilgrim's Shell; Or, Fergan the Quarryman: A Tale from the Feudal TimesIn a war-torn feudal village, Fergan the quarryman and a cast of vivid characters navigate harsh class struggles and the rise of a new social order, revealing the brutal realities…
Level C1ClassicsThe Pilgrim's Progress from this world to that which is to come: Delivered under the similitude of a dream, by John BunyanJourney alongside a pilgrim navigating a dreamlike allegory of faith, trials, and salvation, where metaphors and parables reveal profound spiritual truths about the path to glory a…
Level C1RomanceThe Pilgrim of Castile; or, El Pelegrino in Su PatriaAfter surviving a shipwreck near Barcelona, a mysterious pilgrim drifts into a village caught in the midst of armed conflict, where danger and intrigue intertwine with unexpected a…
Level C1ClassicsThe Pigeon: A Fantasy in Three ActsOn Christmas Eve, a compassionate artist wrestles with the complexities of charity and social reform, challenged by his pragmatic daughter and conflicting ideologies.
Level C1HistoricalThe Pigeon PieIn a sunlit 1651 dining hall, children play amidst the shadow of war, dreaming of knights and kings while servants fret over the harsh realities of conflict.
Level C1PoetryThe Pied Piper of Hamelin, and Other Poems: Every Boy's LibraryIn a quaint town plagued by a rat infestation, a mysterious piper offers a magical solution with enchanting music that captivates all who hear it, setting the stage for a haunting…
Level C1ClassicsThe Pictures; The Betrothing: NovelsIn a Germany awakening from post-Reformation lethargy, society grapples with fading national pride and the dominance of foreign influence, revealing tensions between native identit…
Level C1HistoricalThe Pictorial Press: Its Origin and ProgressExplore the fascinating evolution of illustrated news, from early woodcuts and broadsides to the rise of pictorial newspapers amid political upheaval and social change, revealing h…
Level C1ClassicsThe Pickwick PapersJoin the eccentric Mr.
Level C1HistoricalThe Piccolomini: A PlayAmid the turbulent Thirty Years' War, a web of ambition, loyalty, and intrigue unfolds in the imperial camp of Wallenstein, where generals and nobles navigate shifting alliances an…
Level C1ClassicsThe Piccinino, Volume 2 (of 2); The last of AldinisIn a grand palace filled with ancestral portraits, a young artist challenges the value of noble lineage and hereditary honor, sparking a profound debate on identity, ambition, and…
Level C1RomanceThe Piccinino, Volume 1 (of 2)In the shadowy valleys near Mount Ætna, a mysterious brigand chief emerges, blending romantic intrigue with the harsh realities of a rugged land.
Level C1MysteryThe Piccadilly Puzzle: A Mysterious StoryAmid a dazzling London ball thick with fog and scandal, a disenchanted traveler returns to uncover the tangled passions and secrets of high society, where beauty, rivalry, and intr…
Level C1ClassicsThe PicaroonsIn a gritty San Francisco café, a trio of roguish adventurers await a mysterious stranger on the ominous Thirteenth of October, promising a night of unexpected encounters and tales…
Level C1ClassicsThe Piazza TalesNestled in an old farmhouse surrounded by stunning mountain vistas, a man decides to build a unique northern piazza to savor nature’s changing beauty despite neighbors’ doubts.
Level C1ClassicsThe Physiology of Marriage, CompleteExplore the intricate dynamics of marriage through sharp meditations on love, fidelity, and societal expectations, revealing the hidden tensions and evolving customs that shape the…
Level C1ClassicsThe Photoplay: A Psychological StudyExplore the fascinating evolution of moving pictures, tracing their origins from early optical illusions to the birth of cinema as a powerful art form that captures human passions…
Level C1ClassicsThe PhilistinesA talented artist forsakes his ideals to win favor among Boston's wealthy art patrons, trading sincerity for success in a world where appearances and influence rule.
Level C1ClassicsThe PhilanderersIn a remote African camp, a group of Englishmen confront the harsh demands of justice and honor among the wilderness, where loyalty, betrayal, and a hidden fortune test their resol…
Level C1ClassicsThe PhilandererIn a London drawing-room, a tender yet complicated romance unfolds between the determined widow Grace and the charming, enigmatic Leonard, whose past entanglements challenge their…
Level C1HistoricalThe Philadelphia Magazines and their Contributors 1741-1850Explore the rich evolution of Philadelphia's literary scene through its magazines, revealing the city's pivotal role in American culture, early publishing milestones, and the vibra…
Level C1HistoricalThe Pharaoh and the Priest: An Historical Novel of Ancient EgyptIn ancient Egypt, the delicate balance between the ruling pharaohs and the powerful priesthood shapes a civilization built on fertile land and monumental achievements—until rivalry…
Level C1ClassicsThe Phantoms of the Foot-Bridge, and Other StoriesIn a shadowed mountain gorge, a fragile foot-bridge carries more than travelers—whispers of restless spirits and haunted memories linger in the crisp autumn air, inviting a somber…
Level C1FantasyThe Phantom ShipIn a decaying Dutch cottage near the Scheldt, mysterious forces stir as Philip Vanderdecken confronts a legendary cursed voyage.
Level C1AdventureThe Phantom Rider; or The Giant Chief's Fate: A tale of the old Dahcotah countryIn the wild North-west, a courageous settler’s daughter faces a deadly vow from a fierce Indian warrior determined to claim her as his bride, while her father prepares to defend th…
Level C1RomanceThe Phantom Regiment; or, Stories of "Ours"Amid the rugged backdrop of Gibraltar and Andalusia, a British officer reflects on a fleeting romance with the enchanting Paulina, whose departure sets the stage for tales of love,…
Level C1Science FictionThe Phantom AirmanIn the aftermath of defeat, a defiant German ace and his comrades vow to become aerial outlaws, wielding a secret weapon to strike back against their enemies in a daring and deadly…
Level C1MysteryThe Phantom 'Rickshaw, and Other Ghost StoriesIn colonial India, a man plagued by mysterious visions and relentless torment recounts a haunting tale that blurs the line between fevered delusion and supernatural horror, challen…
Level C1ClassicsThe PestIn foggy London, an accomplished young painter unexpectedly reunites with a once-familiar woman now married to a humble curate, stirring memories of a shared past amid the city's d…
Level C1ClassicsThe Personal History of David CopperfieldBorn into a world of shifting fortunes, David Copperfield narrates his journey from childhood struggles to self-discovery, encountering a vivid cast of characters and challenges th…
Level C1PoetryThe Persian Literature, Comprising The Shah Nameh, The Rubaiyat, The Divan, and The Gulistan, Volume 2Explore a timeless garden of wisdom where poems and anecdotes reveal the customs of kings, the morals of dervishes, and reflections on love, youth, and contentment, all born from a…
Level C1PoetryThe Persian Literature, Comprising The Shah Nameh, The Rubaiyat, The Divan, and The Gulistan, Volume 1Step into the rich world of Persian poetry and legend, where tales of chivalry, romance, and ancient valor blend with a vibrant cultural history that bridges East and West.
Level C1ClassicsThe Perpetual CurateIn the quiet town of Carlingford, where society revolves around its clergy, a young curate with unconventional views navigates delicate family ties, parish politics, and a challeng…
Level C1ClassicsThe Perjur'd Husband; or, The Adventures of Venice. A TragedyIn Venice’s masked carnival, love and duty collide as Bassino battles desire for the enchanting Aurelia while bound to a wife he hates, igniting a turbulent struggle of passion, lo…
Level C1AdventureThe Perils of PaulineIn a grand Hudson mansion, old industrialist Stanford Marvin faces fading health and looming betrayal as his trusted secretary spirals into addiction and deceit.
Level C1AdventureThe Perils of Certain English PrisonersA private in the Royal Marines aboard the sloop Christopher Columbus navigates the treacherous Caribbean waters near the mysterious Island of Silver-Store, a crucial English outpos…
Level C1AdventureThe Perils and Adventures of Harry Skipwith by Land and SeaA young adventurer, inspired by a family legacy of explorers, sets out alone across the Atlantic with dreams of discovery, a lance for defense, and a heart full of courage—facing u…
Level C1RomanceThe Perfume of Eros: A Fifth Avenue IncidentIn the exclusive calm of Gramercy Park, Royal Loftus navigates high society’s intrigues, torn between captivating women and the pressures of wealth and status.
Level C1HistoricalThe Perfect TributeAs the nation mourns the fallen at Gettysburg, a weary President wrestles with his humble words to deliver a heartfelt speech that must rise above polished oratory and speak true t…
Level C1ClassicsThe Perfect GentlemanExplore the curious pursuit of becoming the Perfect Gentleman, balancing high ideals of truth and grace with the often absurd social rituals of eighteenth-century etiquette.
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.