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 C1AdventureThe Guerilla Chief, and Other TalesAmidst the fierce aftermath of the Battle of Cerro Gordo, a lone soldier reflects on missed glory and the relentless chase of elusive enemies, offering a gripping glimpse into war’…
Level C1HistoricalThe Guards Came Through, and Other PoemsExperience the vivid pulse of wartime through stirring poems that capture the courage, humor, and resilience of soldiers and civilians amid the tumult of World War I.
Level C1ClassicsThe Guardian AngelExplore the haunting legacy of inherited traits and moral struggles as Myrtle Hazard confronts the echoes of her ancestors' flaws, weaving a tale that probes the limits of human re…
Level C1RomanceThe Guarded HeightsA skilled horseman from a struggling family becomes the trusted companion of a proud heiress, sparking a restless longing that challenges social boundaries and ignites a passionate…
Level C1ClassicsThe Growth of a SoulAmid the spirited and unruly world of university life in Upsala, a young student named John confronts the harsh realities of competition, social divides, and ambition while strivin…
Level C1HistoricalThe Group: A FarceIn the heat of the American Revolution, sharp wit and satire become weapons on stage as a bold playwright challenges British loyalists and mocks well-known figures of Boston societ…
Level C1Children'sThe Ground-AshIn the wild woods of Hampshire, two spirited children, Harry and Bessy Leigh, live a humble but hopeful life amid nature’s beauty and hardship.
Level C1ClassicsThe Grip of Desire: The Story of a Parish-PriestA parish priest grapples with desire and faith in a quiet village, challenging traditional morals with his unconventional beliefs about work, prayer, and goodness.
Level C1ClassicsThe Grim Smile of the Five TownsIn the industrial heartland of the Five Towns, a young man’s devotion to his frail half-brother leads to a tragic accident that unravels their lives and exposes the harsh realities…
Level C1MysteryThe Grim HouseA family uproots their settled life to seek health and renewal at distant spas, but beneath the surface of their travels and changing seasons, deeper tensions and mysteries begin t…
Level C1FantasyThe Greylock: A Fairy TaleIn a land of ruins and mystery, a valiant knight discovers a beautiful woman bound by chains and trapped by a fierce spirit demanding her hand in marriage.
Level C1ClassicsThe Grey Woman and other TalesAt a quiet mill by the Neckar River, a storm brings unexpected guests into the miller’s home, revealing a family rich in history and mystery.
Level C1ClassicsThe Grey Wig: Stories and NovelettesTwo aging women, Madame Valière and Madame Dépine, coexist in a cramped Parisian hotel, bound by shared history yet divided by silence and rivalry.
Level C1ClassicsThe Grey MonkOn a stormy October night, a proud baronet wrestles with the shame of his eldest son's reckless gambling and estrangement, while rare coins and family legacies cast long shadows ov…
Level C1ClassicsThe Grey LadyTwo brothers bound by a seafaring legacy face a devastating blow when one fails the naval exam, shattering their shared dreams of life on the ocean wave.
Level C1Children'sThe Grey Fairy BookJourney through a magical world of enchanted dresses, clever escapes, and timeless fairy tales from across the globe.
Level C1PoetryThe Grey Brethren, and Other Fragments in Prose and VerseStep into a serene Quaker colony where quiet devotion and gentle spirits shape a world of peace and reflection, seen through the eyes of a child discovering faith, resilience, and…
Level C1MysteryThe Greene murder caseA baffling double murder grips the nation, shrouded in secrecy and impossible to solve by ordinary means.
Level C1ClassicsThe Green Mirror: A Quiet StoryIn a fog-shrouded London square steeped in history and quiet tradition, the steady, unchanging life within an old house unfolds against the backdrop of a city on the brink of trans…
Level C1AdventureThe Green Hand: Adventures of a Naval LieutenantA young minister's son defies his strict upbringing to embark on a daring naval apprenticeship, facing the harsh realities of life at sea.
Level C1MysteryThe Green GodA weary traveler seeking shelter from a fierce storm accepts a mysterious stranger’s offer for a ride, leading him to a gloomy estate shrouded in secrets.
Level C1HistoricalThe Green Flag, and Other Stories of War and SportAmidst the bitter Irish land struggles, Dennis Conolly joins a British regiment riddled with secret rebellion and fierce hatred.
Level C1ClassicsThe Green CarnationIn glittering London society, the charismatic and unapologetically self-adoring Reginald Hastings revels in scandal and spectacle, challenging conventions with his bold embrace of…
Level C1Children'sThe Green BoughIn a quiet Devon village, Mary Throgmorton’s life unfolds as a poignant testament to the struggles and sacrifices of women bound by society’s harsh laws.
Level C1HistoricalThe Greek oratorsExplore the origins and evolution of Greek oratory, tracing its roots from the eloquence of Homeric heroes to the polished speeches of Athens' greatest orators, revealing the art o…
Level C1RomanceThe Greek Romances of Heliodorus, Longus and Achilles Tatius: Comprising the Ethiopics; or, Adventures of Theagenes and Chariclea; The pastoral amours of Daphnis and Chloe; and the loves of Clitopho and LeucippeJourney into a world where imagination weaves tales of love, adventure, and the customs of ancient life, revealing the passions and trials of heroes and heroines bound by fate and…
Level C1ClassicsThe Grecian DaughterIn a gripping tragedy of valor and virtue, a daughter’s fierce devotion challenges tyranny and ignites a nation’s fight for freedom.
Level C1ClassicsThe Greatest Plague of Life: or, the Adventures of a Lady in Search of a Good Servant.A determined lady navigates the trials of domestic life while searching for a trustworthy servant amid the chaos of ungrateful staff, all against the backdrop of her family's strug…
Level C1ClassicsThe Greatest Heiress in EnglandIn a quiet country town, a wealthy old man lives comfortably under the care of his modest relatives, whose lives revolve around managing his household and children.
Level C1ClassicsThe Greater InclinationA young admirer becomes captivated by Mary Anerton, the elusive muse behind beloved poetry, whose guarded life and complex relationships with famed poet Vincent Rendle reveal a wor…
Level C1AdventureThe Great White Hand; Or, the Tiger of Cawnpore: A story of the Indian MutinyAmid the brewing storm of the Indian Mutiny in 1857, this gripping tale plunges into the heart of rebellion and valor in the city of Meerut, where history’s fiercest battles and st…
Level C1Science FictionThe Great War of 189-: A ForecastTensions escalate across Europe after an assassination attempt on Prince Ferdinand of Bulgaria, igniting fears of an imminent continental war.
Level C1HistoricalThe Great War in Verse and ProseExperience the unfolding of the Great War through stirring verse and prose that capture the hopes, struggles, and patriotism of the Allied nations from 1914 to the 1919 Peace Confe…
Level C1PoetryThe Great ValleyExplore the lives, faiths, and histories rooted in Illinois' great valley through vivid poetic portraits—from pioneering forts to profound spiritual reflections—capturing the stren…
Level C1AdventureThe Great TabooAmidst a turbulent Pacific voyage, Felix Thurstan plunges into dark waters to save Muriel Ellis, a timid rector's daughter clinging for life.
Level C1Science FictionThe Great Stone of SardisA futuristic ocean liner splits into two floating hulls connected by a ball-and-socket joint, ensuring a smooth voyage across the Atlantic.
Level C1HistoricalThe Great Stone Face, and Other Tales of the White MountainsIn a valley shadowed by a majestic mountain face shaped by nature itself, a boy named Ernest grows up captivated by a prophecy that a man bearing the Great Stone Face’s noble featu…
Level C1AdventureThe Great Shadow and Other Napoleonic TalesAmidst the looming threat of Napoleon’s invasion, a vigilant boy watches the beacon fires ignite across the land, signaling a nation on the brink of war.
Level C1ClassicsThe Great ReturnWhen a mysterious transfiguration of a revered lama and strange poltergeist phenomena surface in distant lands, the boundary between the known and the inexplicable begins to blur,…
Level C1MysteryThe Great Prince ShanIn a fading London club, a group of diplomats and gentlemen gather for a high-stakes bridge game, but urgent business and secretive connections hint at deeper mysteries beneath the…
Level C1ClassicsThe Great Miss DriverIn a quiet English town, Nicholas Driver rises from humble tanner to powerful landowner, shaping the social landscape with ambition and cunning.
Level C1MysteryThe Great K. & A. RobberyA railroad superintendent finds himself entangled in a web of corporate rivalry and intrigue when he is tasked with overseeing a high-profile party traveling across the wild Americ…
Level C1HistoricalThe Great Indian EpicsExplore the vast and captivating worlds of the Ramayana and Mahabharata, ancient Indian epics rich with mythology, romance, and social insight, revealing timeless stories that shap…
Level C1HistoricalThe Great HouseIn 1840s Paris, a young English artist's daughter contemplates her confined life from a cold attic window overlooking the lively Seine, yearning for connection and freedom amid the…
Level C1AdventureThe Great Gold Rush: A Tale of the KlondikeAmid the fevered rush to the Klondike goldfields, novice dreamers and hardened prospectors alike embark on a perilous journey filled with adventure, toil, and the hope of fortune.
Level C1MysteryThe Great God PanA doctor claims to have discovered a way to lift the veil between our world and a hidden reality, promising to reveal the terrifying truth hidden beneath everyday life—an experimen…
Level C1AdventureThe Great Captain: A Story of the Days of Sir Walter RaleighIn the turbulent days of rebellion and betrayal, a fearless boy is rescued by the legendary Sir Walter Raleigh, whose fierce loyalty and daring spirit shape a tale of war, honor, a…
Level C1ClassicsThe Great Adventure: A Play of Fancy in Four ActsIn a dusty London apartment, a mysterious, ailing man arrives under the care of his quick-witted servant, sparking urgent medical attention and whispered secrets.
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.