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 B2MysteryThe Face and the MaskIn the heart of Paris, Lurine’s daily routine and secret strolls bring her into contact with the enigmatic Jean, whose mysterious requests and shadowy charm threaten to unravel her…
Level C1ClassicsThe Fables of Æsop, and Others: With Designs on WoodAnimal characters reveal timeless moral lessons and human nature’s complexities through vivid fables, blending wisdom, religion, and ethics to guide youth toward integrity, virtue,…
Level C2ClassicsThe Fables of Phædrus: Literally translated into English prose with notesTimeless fables featuring cunning animals and clever humans reveal lessons about power, folly, and justice through sharp, entertaining tales that challenge human behavior and socie…
Level A2PoetryThe Fables of La FontaineTimeless fables come to life with witty animals and clever morals, inviting readers to explore human nature and wisdom through unforgettable poetic tales that entertain and enlight…
Level C1Children'sThe Fables of Aesop: Selected, Told Anew, and Their History TracedDiscover timeless lessons where animals speak and morals come alive, retold with fresh charm and traced through their fascinating history from ancient Greece and India.
Level C1ClassicsThe Faa's revenge, and other talesAs autumn settles over Rothbury, a mysterious stranger ignites a tale of ancient bards, fierce games, and the enigmatic gypsy clans known as the Faa, weaving history and legend int…
Level C1ClassicsThe Eyes of the WorldIn a wintry city, a dying woman clings to life with fierce determination, awaiting the arrival of her son who may hold the key to her final purpose.
Level B2AdventureThe Eyes of the Woods: A Story of the Ancient WildernessCaught in a fierce storm deep in the wilderness, a group of rugged frontiersmen huddle in a hidden cave, anxiously awaiting the return of two trusted comrades carrying precious amm…
Level C1HistoricalThe Eyes of AsiaA wounded Indian soldier reflects on the brutal realities of World War I, recounting his service, the evolving nature of warfare, and the honor and struggles of those caught betwee…
Level C2AdventureThe Eye of ZeitoonAmidst ancient cities and brewing conflict, a fever-stricken adventurer battles both illness and heritage in a land rich with history and danger.
Level C1MysteryThe Eye of OsirisA renowned forensic medicine lecturer unravels the baffling disappearance of John Bellingham, an Egyptologist whose vanishing sparks a complex legal and archaeological mystery cent…
Level C2MysteryThe Eye of Istar: A Romance of the Land of No ReturnAmid the looming threat of war in the mysterious city of Omdurman, a devoted servant embarks on a perilous journey to unveil the secrets of the forbidden Land of No Return and conf…
Level C1HistoricalThe Eye of DreadIn a sunlit garden where fairies might dance unseen, young Betty navigates the delicate boundary between childhood imagination and reality, seeking magic in the shadows while the w…
Level B2Children'sThe Extraordinary Adventures of Poor Little Bewildered Henry, Who was shut up in an Old Abbey for Three Weeks: A Story Founded on FactLost and alone, little Henry wanders into a mysterious old abbey, where his loyal dog Fidelle brings food and woodland creatures keep him company.
Level C1MysteryThe Extraordinary Adventures of Arsène Lupin, Gentleman-BurglarAboard a transatlantic steamship, passengers learn that the elusive gentleman-burglar Arsène Lupin is hiding among them, sparking intrigue and suspicion during a five-day voyage fi…
Level B2FantasyThe Extra DayThree children navigate a world shaped by their strict yet loving family and mysterious household staff, where the ordinary blurs with hints of wonder and hidden authority.
Level C2HistoricalThe Extant Odes of PindarDive into the vivid world of ancient Greece through these powerful odes that celebrate victors, myths, and the grandeur of Hellenic life.
Level B2MysteryThe Exploits of ElaineA relentless master criminal known only by the eerie symbol of a clutching hand terrorizes New York's elite, while a determined reporter seeks the truth behind the mysterious murde…
Level B2AdventureThe Exploits of Brigadier GerardA dashing French cavalry officer recounts his thrilling campaigns across Europe during the Napoleonic Wars, blending the grit of battle with the gallantry of a soldier’s life.
Level B2MysteryThe Experiences of a Barrister, and Confessions of an AttorneyA trusted shopkeeper's life unravels when a cunning employee's theft and vengeful schemes lead to financial ruin and public disgrace.
Level C1PoetryThe Expedition to Birting's Land, and Other BalladsIn a land ruled by King Diderik, a bold expedition sets out to Birting’s land, where fierce warriors and savage foes await.
Level C1ClassicsThe Exiles of FalooOn a remote island where an exclusive Exiles’ Club gathers, Sir John Sweetling and his companions navigate leisurely days filled with peculiar characters, tropical quirks, and subt…
Level B2AdventureThe Exiles and Other StoriesA young man, burdened by his father's legacy as a fearless reformer, ventures into a lawless colony where civilization and savagery collide.
Level C1HistoricalThe ExilesIn 1308 Paris, a stern constable builds his home on the Seine’s flood-prone island, where the quiet life of a watchman and his family unfolds beneath the shadow of Notre-Dame.
Level C1HistoricalThe Exhibition Drama: Comprising Drama, Comedy, and Farce, Together with Dramatic and Musical EntertainmentsStep into a collection of engaging amateur dramas and musical entertainments, from heartfelt Civil War tales to festive Christmas adaptations, all designed for easy performance and…
Level C1ClassicsThe Exemplary Novels of CervantesDive into thirteen inventive tales drawn from keen observation and rich Andalusian life, blending eloquence and vivid natural descriptions that reveal a unique spirit beyond tradit…
Level C1ClassicsThe Executor: Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine vol. LXXXIXA mysterious will surfaces at a funeral, shattering long-held hopes and igniting fierce disputes among mourners.
Level C1HistoricalThe Executioner's Knife; Or, Joan of ArcIn a peaceful Lorraine village, young Jeannette—destined to become Joan of Arc—rises amid superstition, political intrigue, and war.
Level C1ClassicsThe Exclusives (vol. 3 of 3)Amid London’s high society, Lady Delamere warns her sister of Lord Albert's troubling new associations and their impact on her niece Adeline's impending marriage, challenging notio…
Level C1ClassicsThe Exclusives (vol. 2 of 3)Amid the refined intrigues of Restormel, a fainting lady sparks whispered wagers and hidden intentions, as Lord Albert's planned departure becomes uncertain.
Level C1ClassicsThe Exclusives (vol. 1 of 3)Enter Lady Tilney’s boudoir, a vibrant salon where fashion, politics, and art collide under her commanding rule.
Level C2PoetryThe Example of Vertu: The Example of VirtueA young man meets Discretion in a dream and embarks on a symbolic journey through virtues like Hardiness, Sapience, Fortune, and Nature, guided toward wisdom, purity, and the trium…
Level C1Children'sThe Evolution of "Dodd": A pedagogical story giving his struggle for the survival of the fittest, tracing his chances, his changes, and how he came outFollow Dodd, a boy with a unique spirit, as he navigates the challenges of growing up and discovering his individuality within a bustling family and a world full of expectations.
Level C1MysteryThe Evil ShepherdA celebrated barrister is confronted by a mysterious young woman who reveals chilling secrets about the man he just defended, forcing him to face the dark consequences of his court…
Level C1MysteryThe Evil GuestIn the gloomy estate of Gray Forest, a proud but impoverished nobleman broods over lost status and bitter resentments, while a captivating French governess stirs hidden passions an…
Level B2MysteryThe Evil Genius: A Domestic StoryA high-born naval officer stands accused of scuttling his ship and stealing valuable diamonds, challenging notions of honor and class.
Level C1HistoricalThe Evil Eye; Or, The Black Spector: The Works of William Carleton, Volume OneIn an Irish county, two neighboring families share a close bond—until the shadow of the Evil Eye, a powerful superstition believed to cause harm through envy or vengeance, threaten…
Level B2AdventureThe Everlasting WhisperIn the heart of the California Sierra, a rugged man becomes one with the wild, navigating towering peaks and ancient forests where spring breathes new life into the wilderness—an a…
Level C1ClassicsThe Everlasting ArmsAmidst the turmoil of war, men debate the mysterious appearances of angels at Mons—spiritual guardians whose presence challenges skepticism and offers comfort beyond death.
Level C2PoetryThe Evening HoursIn the quiet embrace of fading daylight, lovers wander through gardens and heathered plains, finding beauty and solace in nature’s twilight.
Level C1RomanceThe Eve of All-Hallows; Or, Adelaide of Tyrconnel, v. 3 of 3Amidst the turmoil of a violent attack and a perilous gunshot wound, conflicting medical opinions clash over how to save a nobleman’s life, while the mansion of Tyrconnel is steepe…
Level C1RomanceThe Eve of All-Hallows; Or, Adelaide of Tyrconnel, v. 2 of 3Amid the thunder of cannon and the clash of armies on the Boyne's banks, loyalties and hearts are tested as a daring campaign unfolds.
Level C1RomanceThe Eve of All-Hallows; Or, Adelaide of Tyrconnel, v. 1 of 3On the stormy eve before All-Hallows, a lone chaplain prepares to sail from Scotland to Ireland when a mysterious, noble stranger arrives in desperate haste, setting in motion a ta…
Level C1HistoricalThe Evacuation of England: The Twist in the Gulf StreamIn a tense 1909 Washington debate, two men clash over the future of American commerce and the impact of a canal connecting oceans, revealing deep regional rivalries and the looming…
Level C1ClassicsThe Eustace DiamondsLizzie Greystock, young and charming but burdened by her late father's debts, navigates society’s intrigues and financial entanglements to reclaim her pawned jewels and secure a we…
Level C1ClassicsThe EuropeansIn a chilly Boston inn, a restless woman watches the city's bustle and its strange new omnibus, while a young artist sketches nearby—setting the stage for a clash of European sophi…
Level C1ClassicsThe Eulogy of Richard JefferiesA vivid memoir tracing the life of Richard Jefferies, a humble yet gifted nature writer who, despite poverty and illness, captures the beauty of rural England with unmatched eloque…
Level C1HistoricalThe Ethics of George Eliot's WorksExplore the profound ethical insights behind George Eliot's works, examining humanity's pursuit beyond mere happiness toward a higher, nobler fulfillment of life through timeless p…
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.