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 B2PoetryThe Fox and the Geese; and The Wonderful History of Henny-PennyThree clever geese face the cunning Fox Reynard, who uses trickery and fire to prey on them.
Level B2FantasyThe Fox That Wanted Nine Golden TailsA cunning Japanese fox dreams of gaining nine golden tails and ultimate power, but must survive a thousand years of danger and dog chases.
Level B1RomanceThe Fox Jumps Over the Parson's GateA lively hunt unfolds with a mischievous fox leaping over the parson’s gate, while the heart of the story beats for Nancy, weaving humor and romance through spirited songs and char…
Level C1AdventureThe Fourth WatchA restless boy longs to escape his dull chores until a sudden storm capsizes a distant sailboat, thrusting him into a daring rescue that will challenge his courage and stir unexpec…
Level C1ClassicsThe Fourth GenerationGenerations bear the weight of ancestral actions—sometimes as a burden, sometimes as a ladder to rise.
Level C1ClassicsThe Fourth Estate, vol. 2Two daring friends navigate the lively streets and social intrigues of Sarrio, where youthful rebellion, secret romances, and sharp rivalries unfold under the cover of night.
Level C1ClassicsThe Fourth Estate, vol. 1In a humble coastal town's modest theater, the local residents find escape and drama mirroring grand stages like Milan’s La Scala, weaving together the lives of seamen, traders, an…
Level C1PoetryThe Fourth Book of Virgil's Aeneid and the Ninth Book of Voltaire's HenriadExplore the rich interplay of language, culture, and literary mastery as this poetic work reflects on the art of translation and the enduring power of Virgil’s verse, inviting read…
Level C1HistoricalThe Fourteenth of July, and Danton: Two Plays of the French RevolutionDive into the tumultuous world of the French Revolution, where fervent ideals clash with the harsh realities of power and sacrifice, bringing to life the struggles and passions tha…
Level B2MysteryThe Four-Pools MysteryA sharp-witted reporter with a knack for uncovering secrets dives into the notorious Patterson-Pratt forgery case, challenging a lawyer drawn reluctantly into a world of sensationa…
Level B2MysteryThe Four-Fingered Glove; Or, The Cost of a LieA wealthy young socialite arrives at detective Nick Carter’s door at dawn, desperate and troubled, setting the stage for a high-stakes mystery entwined with secrets, society scanda…
Level B2MysteryThe Four StragglersFour weary soldiers from different backgrounds find themselves stranded together behind enemy lines during a chaotic battle, forced to confront their shared fate amid the relentles…
Level B2PoetryThe Four SeasonsWitness the epic tale of Earth’s fiery birth, where ancient forces clash and reshape the world in a timeless dance of fire, water, ice, and life—ushering in the majestic cycle of t…
Level B2ClassicsThe Four MillionIn the bustling streets of New York, Tobin's quest to find his lost love Katie Mahorner leads him to a mysterious palmist whose eerie predictions hint at sorrow, fortune, and unexp…
Level C1HistoricalThe Four Horsemen of the ApocalypseIn a Paris garden fraught with the anxious buzz of impending war, a passionate reunion unfolds between lovers separated by continents and seasons.
Level C1RomanceThe Four FeathersAmidst tales of war and valor, young Harry Feversham grapples with his heritage and the weight of expectations as he joins a gathering of hardened veterans, eager to prove himself…
Level B2MysteryThe Four Faces: A MysteryA mysterious stranger named Hugesson Gastrell rents a London house without introduction, arousing suspicion and intrigue among his neighbors.
Level C1MysteryThe Four Corners of the WorldA solitary soldier retreats to a mysterious Elizabethan house, his secretive behavior puzzling old acquaintances.
Level B2MysteryThe Four Canadian Highwaymen; Or, The Robbers of Markham SwampIn the shadowy forests near Little York, a charming young woman and a mischievous man meet amid the harvest season, setting the stage for a gripping tale of the notorious Markham S…
Level C2PoetryThe Fountain of Maribo, and Other BalladsA queen’s secret pact with the Algreve sets a dark tale in motion, blending passion, betrayal, and resurrection at the mysterious Fountain of Maribo.
Level B2HistoricalThe Foundling of the WreckAmidst the treacherous storms near the fledgling city of St.
Level B2ClassicsThe Foundations (An Extravagant Play)In a grand Park Lane mansion, young Anne Dromondy’s innocent questions reveal simmering tensions beneath the surface of post-war British society, where class divides and the threat…
Level C1RomanceThe Fortunes of the FarrellsIn a world of glittering balls and dazzling jewels, penniless Mollie Farrell navigates the clash between high society's luxury and the harsh demands of everyday life.
Level C1ClassicsThe Fortunes of the Colville Family; or, A Cloud with its Silver LiningIn the shadow of loss, a grieving family navigates the delicate balance between sorrow and hope during a Christmas marked by absence and resilience.
Level B2HistoricalThe Fortunes of Philippa: A School StorySent away from her tropical paradise to England for a proper education, Philippa faces the challenge of adapting to a new world, new customs, and the companions she’s never known—a…
Level C1HistoricalThe Fortunes of Perkin Warbeck: a romanceAmid the aftermath of the Wars of the Roses, a mysterious fugitive claims royal blood and challenges the throne, weaving a tale of intrigue, loyalty, and danger across England, Sco…
Level C1ClassicsThe Fortunes of Oliver HornIn the fragrant, sunlit Kennedy Square of the 1850s, the enigmatic inventor Richard Horn and his elusive son Oliver weave a tale of invention, art, and youthful mystery amid charmi…
Level C1HistoricalThe Fortunes of NigelIn the turbulent reign of James I, a benevolent goldsmith’s legacy shapes the fate of a wayward nobleman, caught between fading chivalry and rising modernity.
Level C1AdventureThe Fortunes of Hector O'Halloran, and His Man, Mark Antony O'TooleAmid the fierce storms and political unrest of 1795 Ireland, a noble family clings to their ancestral home on a rugged cliff.
Level C1ClassicsThe Fortunes of GlencoreIn a world where polished society masks deep passions and shifting motives, the tale of Glencore unfolds through keen observations of character and the subtle complexities of human…
Level C1HistoricalThe Fortunes of GarinIn the shadowed cathedral of Roche-de-Frêne, young Garin de Castel-Noir seeks a divine sign to choose his destiny—whether to serve the Church or take up arms as a knight amid a wor…
Level C1AdventureThe Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous Moll FlandersBorn in Newgate prison, Moll Flanders recounts a life filled with crime, multiple marriages, and exile to Virginia, revealing a thrilling journey from vice to repentance that warns…
Level C1HistoricalThe Fortune of the RougonsAmid the political upheaval of the Second Empire, the ambitious Rougon family seeks fortune and influence, setting the stage for a sprawling saga of power, ambition, and social cha…
Level B2ClassicsThe Fortune of the LandraysA weary boy and his father journey toward Benson, a town changed by time and memory.
Level B2MysteryThe Fortune HunterA charming but impecunious actor navigates New York's working-class society, weaving charm and ambition among its vibrant characters.
Level C1ClassicsThe Fortunate YouthIn a grim northern town, young Paul Kegworthy stands out with his striking beauty amidst a harsh, loveless household ruled by his cruel stepfather and resentful mother.
Level C1AdventureThe Fortunate Mistress (Parts 1 and 2): or a History of the Life of Mademoiselle de Beleau Known by the Name of the Lady RoxanaA woman rises from humble beginnings to become the notorious Lady Roxana, navigating a world of shifting fortunes, secret liaisons, and court intrigues during the reign of King Cha…
Level B2AdventureThe Fortunate Island, and Other StoriesStranded on a fragile life-raft after their ship sinks in the vast Atlantic, a determined professor and his brave daughter face perilous storms and fading hope—until a mysterious,…
Level C1ClassicsThe Fortunate Foundlings: Being the Genuine History of Colonel M——Rs, and His Sister, Madam Du P——Y, the Issue of the Hon. Ch——Es M——Rs, Son of the Late Duke of R—— L——D. Containing Many Wonderful Accidents That Befel Them in Their Travels, and Interspersed with the Characters and Adventures of Several Persons of Condition, In the Most Polite Courts of Europe. the Whole Calculated for the Entertainment and Improvement of the Youth of Both Sexes.Two foundlings of noble descent navigate perilous adventures and courtly intrigues across Europe, facing battles, betrayals, and unexpected alliances.
ClassicsThe Forsyte saga - CompleteWealth, passion, and family honor collide in the lives of the Forsytes, a Victorian dynasty grappling with the clash between tradition and desire.
Level C1MysteryThe Forsaken Inn: A NovelA weary traveler seeks refuge from a storm near a decaying inn rumored to be haunted, only to uncover unsettling secrets hidden within its walls through a mysterious manuscript lef…
Level C1HistoricalThe Forlorn Hope: A Tale of Old ChelseaIn the tranquil grounds of Chelsea Hospital, aging veterans reflect on their valorous pasts and the legacy of a compassionate queen who secured their refuge.
Level C1ClassicsThe Forlorn Hope: A Novel (Vol. 2 of 2)Amidst London’s high society, a man grapples with the unexpected depth of his grief over his wife’s death, while those around him navigate delicate social facades and hidden emotio…
Level C1ClassicsThe Forlorn Hope: A Novel (Vol. 1 of 2)In the remote, mist-shrouded Highlands, Sir Duncan Forbes arrives at Kilsyth amidst a gathering of intriguing military and noble guests, while a mysterious illness befalls Miss Kil…
Level C1PhilosophyThe Forgotten Threshold: A Journal of Arthur MiddletonA young man retreats to remote western islands, where the silent dunes and singing sands inspire a mystical journal exploring beauty, faith, and the mysteries of life, death, and t…
Level C1ClassicsThe Forgery; or, Best Intentions.A distinguished English merchant balances family life and vast business dealings in an era when commerce is both an art and a duty.
Level B2RomanceThe Forged Note: A Romance of the Darker RacesA young homesteader's marriage is shattered when his minister father-in-law forges his signature to steal a valuable land claim, sparking a fierce battle over justice and betrayal…
Level C1HistoricalThe Forge in the Forest: Being the Narrative of the Acadian Ranger, Jean de Mer, Seigneur de Briart; and How He Crossed the Black Abbé; and of His Adventures in a Strange FellowshipIn the shadowed forests of Acadia, Jean de Mer, an exiled seigneur and secret ranger, returns to reclaim his people's loyalty amid English occupation and the haunting presence of t…
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.