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 C1ClassicsMattie:—A Stray (Vol 3 of 3)In a world where ambition meets sudden downfall, Sidney Hinchford grapples with shattered dreams and bitterness, while Mattie faces choices that could alter their intertwined fates…
Level B2ClassicsMattie:—A Stray (Vol 2 of 3)Mattie faces suspicion and loss in a shop shadowed by distrust and past secrets.
Level C1ClassicsMattie:—A Stray (Vol 1 of 3)In the foggy streets of Southwark, a bright-eyed girl clings to the shadows outside a lively stationer's shop, where a small party unfolds above.
Level B2PoetryMatthew Arnold's Sohrab and Rustum, and other poemsEpic narratives and poignant lyrical poems explore timeless themes of heroism, loss, and human experience, weaving classical tales like Sohrab and Rustum with reflections on life,…
Level C1ClassicsMatthew ArnoldExplore the life and influence of a Victorian intellectual whose prose and poetry shaped an era, revealing his deep humanity and the complexities behind his public persona through…
Level C1PoetryMatthew ArnoldExplore the life and literary world of Matthew Arnold, the influential 19th-century poet and critic, through a detailed examination of his letters, works, and the impact of his ren…
Level C1AdventureMatt: A Story of A CaravanA young gentleman and his quirky driver journey across a desolate moorland in a quaint caravan, seeking shelter from a persistent drizzle.
Level C1ClassicsMatisse Picasso and Gertrude Stein: With Two Shorter StoriesExplore the intimate reflections on identity and the fragile beginnings of life, as the narrator delves into the universal experience of being a helpless baby and the complex feeli…
Level C2PoetryMatinsA soul and body grapple with the mysteries of life, death, and divine grace at the break of dawn, seeking meaning and strength amid the cycles of nature and faith.
Level C1AdventureMatilda Montgomerie; Or, The Prophecy FulfilledAmid the tranquil beauty of Amherstburg on the eve of the War of 1812, tensions rise as a small frontier fortress and its surrounding wilderness become the stage for a gripping tal…
Level C1ClassicsMathildaA haunting tale of forbidden love unfolds as Mathilda grapples with her father's dark obsession, his tragic suicide, and her retreat into isolation on a lonely heath, revealing dee…
Level C1PoetryMathieu Ropars: et ceteraOn two rugged isles guarding the sea near Brest, a devoted father watches his spirited daughters and their mischievous goat, while tales of distant voyages and a mysterious lieuten…
Level C1ClassicsMaterials and Methods of Fiction: With an Introduction by Brander MatthewsExplore the rise of the novel from its humble, often scorned beginnings to its emergence as a respected literary form, tracing its evolution alongside epic poetry and drama while u…
Level B2ClassicsMaterfamiliasA young woman faces heartbreak and estrangement when her father marries her governess, forcing her to leave home and marry secretly.
Level C1HistoricalMatelda and the cloister of HellfdeIn a 13th-century convent near Mansfeldt, the devout Matelda and her companions navigate spiritual revelations and divine teachings within the cloister's walls, offering a profound…
Level C1HistoricalMated from the Morgue: A Tale of the Second EmpireIn the cold, damp streets of 1866 Paris’s Latin Quarter, a proud but penniless young man grapples with hunger, poverty, and shattered ambitions.
Level C1AdventureMasters of the Wheat-LandsIn a harsh prairie settlement where hope meets hardship, a diverse group of settlers gathers for warmth, music, and dance.
Level C1HistoricalMasters of the GuildIn a lively medieval castle, a young pigeon keeper with a special bond to his birds crosses paths with a wandering troubadour, setting the stage for tales of loyalty, music, and th…
Level C1HistoricalMasters of the English Novel: A Study of Principles and PersonalitiesExplore the evolution of the English novel through the lenses of realism and romanticism, tracing the cultural and intellectual shifts that shaped its masters and their timeless st…
Level C1ClassicsMasterpieces of the masters of fictionDive into a satirical romp where a giant born in the most bizarre manner embarks on wild adventures, battles absurd foes, and discovers a utopia where freedom reigns and virtue flo…
Level C1HistoricalMasterpieces of Negro Eloquence: The Best Speeches Delivered by the Negro from the days of: Slavery to the Present TimeExplore powerful speeches that chronicle the journey from slavery to freedom, capturing the voices and hopes of African Americans as they claim their rightful place in history and…
Level C1MysteryMasterpieces of Mystery in Four Volumes: Mystic-Humorous StoriesA skeptic visits an isolated folk-lorist to challenge his mystical beliefs, only to encounter eerie, uncanny moments amid the serene moorlands.
Level C1ClassicsMasterpieces of American Wit and HumorDive into a rich collection of sharp wit and humor from America's greatest writers, exploring the fading art of laughter amidst rising seriousness and moral scrutiny.
Level C1ClassicsMasterman and SonA self-made builder seizes a chance to transform his fortune and social standing by investing in a prestigious London suburb, navigating ambition, risk, and the delicate dance of r…
Level B2AdventureMasterman ReadyCaught in a fierce Atlantic gale, a seasoned seaman named Masterman Ready and a young boy face the relentless power of the sea aboard the sturdy ship Pacific, bound for New South W…
Level B2MysteryMaster tales of mystery, Volume 2 (of 3)A brilliant logician known as The Thinking Machine boldly claims he can escape any prison cell using only his intellect.
Level C1MysteryMaster tales of mystery, Volume 1 (of 3)Step into a world where every locked door hides a secret and every shadow may conceal a clue.
Level C1RomanceMaster of the VineyardAmid the tranquil beauty of a vineyard valley, Rosemary clings to a secret ritual—a scarlet ribbon signal—to summon a mysterious visitor who brings the promise of love and escape f…
Level B2Science FictionMaster of NoneWhen mysterious signals from Ganymede, Jupiter’s largest moon, announce contact from an intelligent alien race, a sleepy small-town man and his curious friend grapple with the thri…
Level B2ClassicsMaster of MenA hardworking mechanic escapes the grime of the industrial town to find solace in his secluded hilltop cottage, where nature’s beauty and a haunting memory of a mysterious woman st…
Level C1MysteryMaster of His FateIn a vibrant London club where art, science, and literature mingle, Julius Courtney captivates with his restless curiosity and enigmatic presence.
Level C1ClassicsMaster and ManOn a bitter winter day, a landowner rushes to secure a valuable grove while his loyal but troubled servant prepares their horse for the journey, setting the stage for a tense tale…
Level C1RomanceMaster and MaidAs the new term begins at Hamchester College, the arrival of Lallie, a charming and spirited young woman with a mysterious connection to the students, stirs the quiet housemaster a…
Level B2MysteryMaster Tales of Mystery, Volume 3In a quiet Connecticut town shaken by the mysterious poisoning of a rising actress, two determined men rush to unravel a tangled web of secrets, suspicious notes, and hidden motive…
Level B2Children'sMaster SunshineA cheerful boy known as Master Sunshine brightens the lives of those around him with kindness and thoughtful deeds.
Level B2AdventureMaster Rockafellar's VoyageYoung Tom Rockafellar dreams of the sea, inspired by tales of his seafaring ancestors and distant tropical wonders.
Level B2AdventureMaster Reynard: The History of a FoxBorn into a hidden den above the sea, a young fox learns the secrets of the wild from his watchful mother, discovering the thrill of night adventures and the delicate balance betwe…
Level C1HistoricalMaster Olof: A Drama in Five ActsAmid the turmoil of 16th-century Sweden’s fight for independence and religious reform, a bold clergy member challenges the established Catholic order, igniting fierce conflicts bet…
Level C1HistoricalMaster Humphrey's ClockIn a cozy chamber, Master Humphrey and his friends gather to share tales that weave together fiction and friendship, inviting readers into a world where stories come alive by the t…
Level C1RomanceMassimilla DoniAmid the faded grandeur of Venice’s noble families, a young patrician clings to his ancestral palace and the delicate beauty of a duchess, weaving a tale of love and loss where ari…
Level C1HistoricalMassacre at ParisAmid political and religious turmoil in 16th-century France, royal alliances mask deadly plots as noble houses clash over power and faith.
Level B2AdventureMass' George: A Boy's Adventures in the Old SavannahA young boy embarks on a perilous journey to colonial Georgia with his father, facing wild beasts, hostile natives, and untamed wilderness, all while being cared for by devoted com…
Level C1ClassicsMasques & PhasesDive into a world where archaeology meets literary art, exploring the profound impact of ancient relics and timeless myths through essays and stories that blur the lines between fi…
Level B2RomanceMason of Bar X RanchA wealthy young man in New York faces his father’s ultimatum: spend a year proving himself on a rugged Nevada ranch or be disinherited.
Level C1ClassicsMasks and Faces; or, Before and Behind the Curtain: A Comedy in Two ActsIn the bustling world behind the theatre curtain, actors and critics collide over art, ambition, and love as rival suitors vie for the captivating actress Mrs.
Level B2ClassicsMashi, and Other StoriesIn a quiet household shadowed by illness, a young woman wrestles with duty and desire, torn between caring for her ailing husband and longing to visit her family.
Level C1HistoricalMarzio's Crucifix, and ZoroasterIn a Roman silversmith's workshop, a master craftsman and his talented apprentice grapple with art, politics, and the fading glory of tradition, as they shape intricate sacred obje…
Level C1HistoricalMary: The Queen of the House of David and Mother of Jesus: The Story of Her LifeExplore the profound life of Mary, the Queen of the House of David, through a journey that reveals the strength, grace, and influence of womanhood amidst faith, compassion, and tow…
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.