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 C1ClassicsThe World's Greatest Books — Volume 08 — FictionA young Scottish archer arrives at the French royal court during the reign of Louis XI, navigating intrigue and loyalty as he seeks to join the king's guard and reconnect with his…
Level C1ClassicsThe World's Greatest Books — Volume 07 — FictionFour philosophers, each with wildly different views on humanity’s fate, gather at Headlong Hall to debate life, progress, and the nature of man over hearty meals and sharp wit in t…
Level C1ClassicsThe World's Greatest Books — Volume 06 — FictionOn a dark winter night, a young woman named Maud faces mysterious threats and unsettling secrets surrounding her enigmatic Uncle Silas, her family's honor, and the sinister new gov…
Level C1ClassicsThe World's Greatest Books — Volume 05 — FictionIn a 19th-century English village, the promising young deacon Cyril Maitland faces a moral crisis as secrets and scandals threaten the lives and loves of those around him, setting…
Level C1ClassicsThe World's Greatest Books — Volume 04 — FictionAn Egyptian princess journeys to Babylon to marry the powerful King Cambyses, navigating palace intrigues, forbidden love, and political plots as she strives to secure her place an…
Level B2ClassicsThe World's Greatest Books — Volume 03 — FictionIn a small French town where hunting is a grand yet capricious pastime, Tartarin, a boastful yet good-hearted hunter, dreams of glory amid his collection of exotic weapons and tall…
Level C1ClassicsThe World's Greatest Books — Volume 02 — FictionA young boy’s encounters with mysterious gypsies and wild adventures shape his youth in early 19th-century England, blending vivid character sketches and philosophical reflections…
Level C1ClassicsThe World's Greatest Books — Volume 01 — FictionExplore a carefully condensed anthology that preserves the spirit and style of the world’s finest fiction, offering accessible selections from classic and modern authors alike, eac…
Level C1FantasyThe World's DesireIn a twilight age where myth and history intertwine, a lone sailor embarks on a mysterious voyage toward an island shrouded in silence and legend, guided by a star that promises bo…
Level C1PoetryThe World's Best Poetry, Volume 10: Poetical QuotationsExplore the essence of poetry through a rich collection of poetical quotations and reflections that probe its elusive definition, blending emotion, imagination, and rhythm across c…
Level C1PoetryThe World's Best Poetry, Volume 09: Of Tragedy: of HumourExplore the enduring battle for poetry’s place in a changing world, where critics and allies alike challenge its survival, and discover a fresh defense of verse amid shifting cultu…
Level C1PoetryThe World's Best Poetry, Volume 08: National SpiritExplore the essence of poetry beyond mere study, delving into its rhythm, emotion, and timeless forms that echo humanity’s deepest joys, sorrows, and triumphs through song and vers…
Level C1PoetryThe World's Best Poetry, Volume 04: The Higher LifeExplore a profound collection where spirituality meets verse, revealing how poetry elevates the religious experience and illuminates the divine in the human soul through inspired a…
Level C1PoetryThe World's Best Poetry, Volume 03: Sorrow and ConsolationExplore a rich collection of poems that delve into the depths of sorrow and offer paths to consolation, revealing how poetry uniquely expresses life's most profound and inexpressib…
Level C2ClassicsThe World's Best Orations, Vol. 1 (of 10)Discover the power and passion of history's greatest speeches, from Demosthenes to American patriots, as they sway minds and ignite action through timeless oratory that continues t…
Level C1ClassicsThe World on Wheels, and Other SketchesExplore the ingenuity of wheels shaping 19th-century life, from boyhood inventions to the mighty Concord coach, as vivid sketches reveal how this simple mechanism propels history,…
Level C1FantasyThe World of Romance: being Contributions to The Oxford and Cambridge Magazine, 1856Step into a vanished medieval world where a master mason reflects on the lost church he built centuries ago, surrounded by vibrant autumn landscapes and the daily lives of monks an…
Level B2AdventureThe World of IceSet sail with John Buzzby, an unflinching sea veteran, as he embarks on a perilous whaling voyage through icy polar seas filled with fierce battles, wild creatures, and the thrilli…
Level C1HistoricalThe World of HomerExplore the origins and enduring mysteries of the Iliad and Odyssey through a deep dive into epic poetry, ancient criticism, and the evolving art of storytelling in early Greek cul…
Level C1ClassicsThe World of ChanceA young writer leaves his hometown after losing his newspaper job, carrying a novel manuscript and hopes for literary success in New York.
Level C1RomanceThe World for Sale, Volume 3.A blind man’s keen senses and indomitable spirit inspire a devoted woman who nurses him back to health amidst the quiet wilderness.
Level C1RomanceThe World for Sale, Volume 2.In a tense frontier town, a shrewd horsedealer uncovers a dangerous plot involving labor strikes and sabotage, where loyalties blur and the stakes are life, death, and the fate of…
Level C1RomanceThe World for Sale, Volume 1.In a transformative Western frontier where railways and towns reshape the wilderness, a visionary young man confronts entrenched divisions between progress and tradition.
Level C1RomanceThe World for Sale, CompleteIn a rapidly transforming Western frontier town, a visionary young man confronts fierce cultural and racial tensions as he strives to unite divided communities.
Level B2PoetryThe World Turned Upside Down: Or, No News, and Strange NewsExplore a whimsical collection of curious and topsy-turvy poems where animals and humans swap roles and the strange becomes ordinary, challenging your sense of reality with playful…
Level B2PoetryThe World Turned Upside DownIn a whimsical world where coats talk back and hares wield guns, everyday objects and creatures challenge their roles with humor and mischief, turning ordinary life into a topsy-tu…
Level C1Science FictionThe World Set FreeIn a future shadowed by war and atomic discovery, nations face the collapse of old sovereignties as scientific advances challenge the world's political order, pushing humanity towa…
Level C1Science FictionThe World Peril of 1910In a rugged Irish coastal town, an ingenious engineer designs a revolutionary craft that defies sea and air, rooted in a mysterious Spanish heritage and fueled by a fierce love for…
Level B2Science FictionThe World MastersIn a besieged Alsace laboratory, a determined scientist unlocks a terrifying power that can shatter steel and control nations.
Level B2HistoricalThe World Before Them: A Novel. Volume 3 (of 3)Tensions rise in a modest household where a wounded soldier grapples with dependence, a jealous wife struggles to accept her new life, and family secrets simmer beneath the surface…
Level C1HistoricalThe World Before Them: A Novel. Volume 2 (of 3)In a quiet coastal village shadowed by an ancient churchyard, Dorothy clings to memories of first love and the haunting presence of her mother's grave beneath a foreboding yew tree…
Level B2HistoricalThe World Before Them: A Novel. Volume 1 (of 3)Two young lovers face the harsh realities of duty, pride, and family expectations in a picturesque rural landscape where love must confront tradition and sacrifice.
Level C1ClassicsThe World Above: A DuologueBeneath a radiant city lies the shadowy labyrinth of The Darker Realm, where two young workers, Jean and Angelica, navigate ancient tunnels filled with mystery and longing.
PoetryThe Works of the Right Honourable John, Earl of Rochester: Consisting of Satires, Songs, Translations, and other Occasional PoemsDive into a provocative collection of sharp satires, heartfelt songs, and vivid translations that challenge society, love, and human folly with wit and boldness.
Level C1HistoricalThe Works of the Emperor Julian, Vol. 2An Emperor’s sharp rebuke targets the New Cynics, exposing their hollow imitation of ancient virtues and hypocrisy.
Level C1HistoricalThe Works of the Emperor Julian, Vol. 1A young Roman prince, raised amid political intrigue and philosophical study, unexpectedly rises to power as Caesar and later Emperor, championing paganism and reform while leading…![Cover of The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 8 of 9] by William Shakespeare](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da8i2hkv7nos73d6tr70.webp)
Level C1ClassicsThe Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 8 of 9]Delve into the fascinating early history of Hamlet through detailed reprints and analyses of its earliest editions, revealing the play’s evolving text, mysterious origins, and Shak…![Cover of The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 7 of 9] by William Shakespeare](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daf39ooe1ofc73dhb2ug.webp)
Level C1ClassicsThe Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 7 of 9]Dive into the evolving texts of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, exploring early editions that reveal the challenges of preserving the original play’s poetry and drama amid transcri…![Cover of The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 6 of 9] by William Shakespeare](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daf4jrge1ofc73dhb7s0.webp)
Level C1ClassicsThe Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 6 of 9]Explore the rich history and drama of Shakespeare’s works, including variations and editorial insights into plays like "Troilus and Cressida" and "Henry the Eighth," revealing the…![Cover of The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 5 of 9] by William Shakespeare](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da8i6vsv7nos73d6ttl0.webp)
Level C1HistoricalThe Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 5 of 9]Dive into the turbulent power struggles of the Houses of York and Lancaster, where betrayal, rebellion, and royal claims ignite a historic saga of political intrigue and tragic dow…![Cover of The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 4 of 9] by William Shakespeare](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daf4uj8e1ofc73dhbbfg.webp)
Level C1ClassicsThe Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 4 of 9]Explore the intricate histories and dramatic intrigues of English royalty through meticulously edited versions of Shakespeare's plays, revealing the evolution of texts from early q…![Cover of The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 3 of 9] by William Shakespeare](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da8j11sjoh9c73bgr7dg.webp)
Level C1ClassicsThe Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 3 of 9]In Padua, the sharp-witted Petruchio sets out to tame the fiery Katharina, while suitors vie for the gentle Bianca amidst schemes and disguises, revealing a comedy of love, power,…![Cover of The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 2 of 9] by William Shakespeare](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dacjrdnvk76c73fras70.webp)
Level C2ClassicsThe Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 2 of 9]Dive into a world of wit, romance, and intrigue with five masterful plays, including the sparkling comedy of misunderstandings in "Much Ado About Nothing" and the enchanting misadv…
Level C1PoetryThe Works of William Cowper: His life, letters, and poems, now first completed by the introduction of Cowper's private correspondenceExplore the heartfelt poems and private letters of a deeply English poet who weaves wit, moral gravity, and patriotism into verse that champions liberty, national peace, and the fo…
Level C1PhilosophyThe Works of Voltaire, Vol. IV of XLIII.: Romances, Vol. III of III, and A Treatise on Toleration.In a satirical dialogue set in Siam, explore a sharp critique of justice, governance, and society where arbitrary laws, corruption, and cruelty reveal the dark ironies of power and…
Level C1PoetryThe Works of Thomas Hood; Vol. 02 (of 11): Comic and Serious, in Prose and Verse, With All the Original IllustrationsDive into a vivid tapestry of humor and resilience, where tales of extraordinary survival and unyielding spirit unfold through witty prose and verse, capturing the grit and laughte…
Level C1PoetryThe Works of Thomas Hood; Vol. 01 (of 11): Comic and Serious, in Prose and Verse, With All the Original IllustrationsExplore the rich blend of humor and gravity in prose and verse, accompanied by original illustrations, as the progression of a remarkable literary mind unfolds through early works,…
Level C1PhilosophyThe Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 3Explore profound reflections on biblical mysteries, ancient traditions, and the nature of sacred history as the text questions widely held beliefs—from the identity of the Forbidde…
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.
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