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20 Free English E-books (PDF) That’ll Give You a Taste of Classic English Literature

Reading lets you explore a whole new world.

In classic English literature , the language is so powerful that you’ll remember words, phrases and grammar long after you’ve finished the book.

Plus, you’ll learn stories which are very important to culture in the English-speaking world.

In this list, you’ll discover 20 classic English books that are perfect for intermediate learners , now available in e-book format.

20 Classic Books Now Available as Free English E-books

1. the story of doctor dolittle by hugh lofting.

• 2. The Red House Mystery by A.A. Milne
• 3. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
• 4. Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
• 5. Black Beauty by Anna Sewell

6. Heidi by Johana Spyri

• 7. My Man Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse
• 8. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
• 9. The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle
• 10. The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane
• 11. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
• 12. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas
• 13. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
• 14. The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells
• 15. Emma by Jane Austen
• 16. Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs
• 17. The Innocence of Father Brown by G.K. Chesterton
• 18. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

19. The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins

• 20. Dracula by Bram Stoker

What’s a Classic Book?

Why classic books are perfect for english learners, and one more thing....

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

Doctor Dolittle loves animals. He loves them so much that when his many pets scare away his human patients, he learns how to talk to animals and becomes a veterinarian instead.

He then travels the world to help animals with his unique ability to speak their language.

2.  The Red House Mystery by A.A. Milne

Does the name Winnie the Pooh sound familiar? Author A.A. Milne is best remembered for creating the fluffy, yellow teddy bear.

But before he became a famous children’s book author Milne wrote a few adult fiction books. “The Red House Mystery” is one of these.

In this mystery novel, the guests in a man’s home become detectives as they try to find a killer—who is one of them!

3.  The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

“The Secret Garden” is a touching story about the power of friendship.

Mary Lennox is a spoiled and rude little girl sent by her parents to live at her uncle’s huge home. One day while exploring outside the home, she discovers a secret: a locked garden.

The secret garden helps her make a friend, and thanks to the love of their friendship she learns to be a better person.

4.  Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

Everything you know about pirates probably came from this one book: wooden legs, parrots on the shoulder and treasure maps.

“Treasure Island” is the story of a boy who sails on a ship searching for treasure, but instead finds himself surrounded by terrible pirates. It’s also a story about growing up, full of action and adventure.

5.  Black Beauty by Anna Sewell

“Black Beauty” is one the best-selling books of all time, and for a good reason—this story about a horse teaches kindness towards animals and people.

The story is told by the horse. It describes his life and the many cruel people and difficult times he had to live through before finding peace.

It’s a great read even if you’re not a fan of horses.

“Heidi” is a book often described as being “for children and for people who love children.”

It does a great job of showing the world through a little girl’s eyes as she explores the mountains in Switzerland. She makes many friends along the way, but also deals with the kinds of fears that a child would have, like being alone and away from the people who love you.

It’s a long book, but one that’s easy to fall in love with.

7.  My Man Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse

These days not many of us have butlers (servants hired to care for you and your house) but whenever people talk about a butler, his name sometimes comes up as Jeeves.

That name comes from Wodehouse’s series of books featuring the perfect butler Jeeves, and the many humorous adventures he and his employer had.

8.  Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Jealousy and revenge are the main themes of “Wuthering Heights,” which is the name of the farmhouse where the story takes place.

This book can be hard to get through, and it’s not because of the vocabulary. It’s a hard book to read because of all the cruelty in it. Still, this is a good book if you’re interested in dramas and passions.

9.  The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle

Robin Hood is a special kind of thief: he steals from the rich and gives to the poor. This book is a collection of stories about the legendary, kindhearted thief and his group of outlaw friends.

Be prepared for many fun and funny moments, and some with a more serious tone. This book is perfect for reading little by little, since the stories are only connected by their characters.

10.  The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane

There are many war books that show how terrible war is physically—all the violence and death. “The Red Badge of Courage” talks instead about the psychological terrors of war.

It’s told from the point of view of a soldier in the Civil War who’s actually running away from the battlefield. It uses many symbols and metaphors to discuss the important themes.

If you can handle the advanced vocabulary, you can find much more meaning hidden in this book.

11.  The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

What if you could stay young forever? Dorian Gray makes a deal to stay young forever—while a painted portrait of him shows all the signs of aging.

Of course, it turns out this deal he made might not have been such a good idea after all…

12.  The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas

After being thrown into jail for a crime he didn’t commit, Edmond manages to escape and become rich. With his new money, he tries to get revenge on the people who put him in prison, but his plans don’t quite go like he hopes.

“The Count of Monte Cristo” is about betrayal, love and letting go.

13.  The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

Tom Sawyer is a troublemaking little boy who’s always causing problems, having fun and enjoying many crazy adventures. In this classic tale by Mark Twain, Tom visits his own funeral, stops a crime and tries very hard to get a girl to like him.

Tom Sawyer is a well-known name in American literature and his stories of adventure are very fun to read.

14.  The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells

Being invisible sounds like fun, but is it really?

When a man learns how to make himself invisible, all he gets in return is problems and people betraying him. Maybe he should have just stayed normal…

15.  Emma  by Jane Austen

Jane Austen is perhaps best known for her novel “Pride and Prejudice,” which is about life and love for rich, upper-class people in the early 1800s.

“Emma” takes place in the same time period, focusing on the character of Emma who is “handsome, clever and rich.”

Emma thinks that she’s great at matching people up to get married, but she soon learns that maybe she shouldn’t interfere with (get involved in) people’s lives so much.

16.  Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs

Tarzan is a wild man, raised by apes in the middle of the jungle. This book tells about his life among the apes and other animals, and what happens when a wild monkey man meets other humans for the first time.

17.  The Innocence of Father Brown by G.K. Chesterton

If you met Father Brown, you wouldn’t realize that he’s a great detective. He’s a small Catholic priest who always carries an umbrella—the kind of person who’s easy to forget.

He’s a great thinker, though, and he can see people for who they really are. “The Innocence of Father Brown” has 12 short stories where the little priest uses his knowledge of human nature to solve mysteries.

18.  Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Creating life from death is Dr. Frankenstein’s dream. When he finally brings a dead man to life, things don’t work out the way he wants.

If you know the Frankenstein monster, you might think he’s a terrible creature.

But this book tells the real story of Dr. Frankenstein’s creation, named only “the monster.” It turns out that the monster might not be such a monster after all.

If you love detective books, you’ll love “The Moonstone,” which might be the first detective novel in the English language!

It has everything that a good mystery needs—a precious jewel is stolen during a young woman’s 18th birthday party.

Who stole the jewel and where is it now? Follow the trail of the thief in this book.

20.  Dracula by Bram Stoker

Dracula is one of the best known vampires of all time. If you’ve watched any movies about Dracula, you might be surprised at what the actual book is like.

It’s an epistolary novel, which means it’s written completely in the form of letters, and the story of Dracula is told through other people’s points of view.

It’s an interesting look at the first “modern” vampire, and it’s really a great read.

“Classic books” are books that have “stood the test of time.” This expression means that a lot of time has passed and these books have still survived as important pieces of culture.

People have enjoyed these books for a long time, and they still enjoy them today.

One thing that all classic literature has in common is that it’s universal. That means that these books contain themes and topics that are relevant to every human being.

No matter where you live in the world, no matter what year you were born, you’ll be able to read and understand the main ideas these books talk about. A classic book will explore things every human knows and cares about, like love, hate, life and death. These are things all  humans have experienced for hundreds and thousands of years.

There are a few different ways to tell if a book is the right reading level for you. One of these is the lexile range . The books in the list above are in the lexile range that’s perfect for intermediate English learners.

They’re also listed in order of their reading difficulty, from the easier books to the more difficult ones.

To find the perfect difficulty for you, start from the first book and move down through the list until you find a book that you can understand, but that still gives you a little challenge and has some words you don’t know.

Also, keep in mind that some of these books are old. If you have trouble understanding the language of the book, try something different ! You could start with modern fiction books , which are often in more relatable language.

A digital option would be FluentU , where you can practice both your reading and listening through hundreds of English media clips.

The key is to build up your level. English speakers typically work their way up from children’s books to young adult (YA) novels and then eventually classics and adult literature.

With enough reading and practice, you’ll be able to tackle more complex stories.

All of the books listed above became classics because people have read and loved them again and again over many years. Hopefully you’ll enjoy these stories too as you explore English literature!

If you like learning English through movies and online media, you should also check out FluentU. FluentU lets you learn English from popular talk shows, catchy music videos and funny commercials , as you can see here:

If you want to watch it, the FluentU app has probably got it.

The FluentU app and website makes it really easy to watch English videos. There are captions that are interactive. That means you can tap on any word to see an image, definition, and useful examples.

FluentU lets you learn engaging content with world famous celebrities.

For example, when you tap on the word "searching," you see this:

FluentU lets you tap to look up any word.

Learn all the vocabulary in any video with quizzes. Swipe left or right to see more examples for the word you’re learning.

FluentU helps you learn fast with useful questions and multiple examples. Learn more.

The best part? FluentU remembers the vocabulary that you’re learning. It gives you extra practice with difficult words—and reminds you when it’s time to review what you’ve learned. You have a truly personalized experience.

Start using the FluentU website on your computer or tablet or, better yet, download the FluentU app from the iTunes or Google Play store. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)

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Free Online Library

World Literature Books PDF – Classic Literature PDF

Thousands of free pdf books of or about world literature. Arranged in subject collections, including some in foreign languages.

Table of contents

Book collections of classical and medieval eras literature, book collections of world literature, collections of play scripts, collected poetry books, collected books of women’s literature, collected books in foreign languages or translated into english, free librivox audio book collections of foreign languages, more collections on literature topics, free librivox audio book collections of literature, related pages on century past, medieval era literature – collection.

About 600 free online medieval era literature books at the Internet Archive.

Classical Literature Books – Collection

About 350 books on ancient literature, including many volumes of literary criticism.

The Guardian’s List of 100 Best Novels Written in English

Here’s a 2015 list from the British Guardian newspaper of former literary editor Robert McCrum’s picks for the best English-language novels of all time. You can use this Open Library search box to search for free online versions on the Internet Archive.

See the Menu at the top of every page for Directories of Free Online Fiction and NonFiction Books, Magazines , and more, on 400 pages like this at Century Past

Le Monde’s 100 Books of the Century – World Literature Books PDF

This Wikipedia list of the 100 most memorable books of the 20th Century was compiled from a 1999 poll taken by the Paris newspaper Le Monde and French retailer Fnac. The list contains links to Wikipedia entries for the books and authors. You can use this Open Library search box to search for free online versions on the Internet Archive.

British Literature I Anthology: From the Middle Ages to Neoclassicism and the Eighteenth Century

British literature ii: romantic era to the twentieth century and beyond – classics of world literature pdf, robinson, bonny and getty, laura, univ of north georgia 2018.

These two anthologies contain samples of works by some 90 British writers, with biographies.

Becoming America: An Exploration of American Literature from Precolonial to Post-Revolution – Classic Literature PDF

Kurant, wendy.

Featuring sixty-nine authors and full texts of their works, the selections in this open anthology represent the diverse voices in early American literature. Open Access textbook.

Writing the Nation: A Concise Introduction to American Literature 1865 to Present

Berke, amy, et al., univ of north georgia 2015.

A text that surveys key literary movements and the American authors associated with the movement. Topics include late romanticism, realism, naturalism, modernism, and modern literature. Open Access textbook.

Literary Fiction Books – Collection

About 900 free online modern classic novels. Some authors: Lev Grossman, Murakami Haruki, Aravind Adiga, Ian McEwan, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Alan Ryan, Dalton Trumbo, Ernest Hemingway, John Steinbeck, Susie Bright, Hermann Hesse, James Schamus, G. V. Desani, Umberto Eco, Jerry Pinto, Wendell Berry, Milton Crane, Gerd Brantenberg, Cormac McCarthy, Harper Lee, Don DeLillo, Junot Diaz, Lars Kepler, Aimee Phan, Lucinda Riley, Jose Saramago, Kathy Acker, Sue Monk Kidd, Toni Morrison, Chuck Palahniuk, Nina George, Elena Ferrante, Richard Powers, many more.

Modern Literature Collection

About 2,300 free online books at the Internet Archive, resulting from a search for books on “Modern Literature”.

European Literature Collection

More than 700 free online books at the Internet Archive, resulting from a search for books on “European Literature”.

Publishers Weekly Lists of Bestselling Novels in the United States – World Literature Books PDF

This Wikipedia article contains links to more Wikipedia entries that list the best-selling books in the U.S. for every year from 1895 to 2016. You can use this Open Library search box to search for free online versions on the Internet Archive.

Great Books of the Western World (Vols 1-54)

Great books of the western world wikipedia article – western classic literature, hutchins, walter maynard, ed., encyclopedia britannica 1952.

This collection of ‘Great Books’ was conceived in the 1940s as a way of putting the core books of western civilization, as understood by the editors, together in one place. You can read more about the history of this series at the Wikipedia article at the second link, which also contains the complete Table of Contents for the series.

The Harvard Classics Shelf of Fiction (Vols 1-20)

Wikipedia article on the harvard classics, with table of contents, eliot, charles w., ed., collier & son 1917.

This collection of 20 volumes of great literature was a follow-on project to Harvard President Charles Elliot’s 50-volume collection of world fiction and non-fiction, entitled “The Harvard Classics”. You can find more info about both projects, with a Table of Contents for the fiction collection, at the Wikipedia article link. This also has links to more Wikipedia articles on the books contained in the collection.

Library of the World’s Best Literature, Ancient and Modern – Audio Version

Warner, charles dudley, eds, r.s. peale 1897.

“In the Library of the World’s Best Literature, the editors drew from literature of all times and all kinds what they considered the best pieces of human writing, and compiled an ambitious collection of 45 volumes (with a 46th being an index-guide). Besides the selection and translation of a huge number of poems, letters, short stories and sections of books, the collection offers, before each chapter, a short essay about the author or subject in question. In many cases, chapters contemplate not one author, but certain groups of works, organized by nationality, subject or period; there is, thus, a chapter on Accadian-Babylonian literature, one on the Holy Grail, and one on Chansons, for example.

There are 10 volumes in this Librivox audio collection, each volume containing about 40 to 60 selections, recorded aloud by volunteers.

Modern Classic Literature – Collection – Classic Literature PDF

About 1,900 modern classic literature novels free, plus works of literary criticism and analysis. Some titles: Educating Rita, American Women Writers, The Field of Life and Death, Masks of Conquest, Beneath the Wheel, The Prince, Beowulf, Hypatia of Alexandria, Bookless in Baghdad, The Bell Jar, Menander, Amerika, Shakespearean Negotiations, Roald Dahl Omnibus, Altogether Elsewhere, The Mortal Hero, Consider the Lobster, Zen and Zen Classics, C. S. Lewis’s Mere Christianity, Lancelot-Grail Realer, of Mice and Men, Women in Greek Myth, Sundiata, The Madwoman in the Attic, The Friendly Shakespeare, Abandon the Old in Tokyo, The Doors of Perception, many more.

English Literature Books – Collection

About 7,500 English literature books online free.

Plays for Amateurs

Clapp, john mantel, arr., drama league of america 1915 dewey dec. 016.8.

Lists 197 plays, each with a paragraph describing plots, number and gender of characters, staging, difficulty, royalty fees etc. Read drama online, plays to read online, play scripts.

Ottemiller’s Index to Plays in Collections

Connor, billie m. and mochedlover, helene g., eds., scarecrow 1988 dewey dec. 016.8.

“An author and title index to plays appearing in collections published between 1900 and 1985. This index analyzes 1,350 collections and “covers plays by 2,555 authors. The arrangement is by playwright, with lists of plays and collections in which each is designated by symbols. A list of collections analyzed and key to symbols and a title index complete the volume.

Viewpoints in Modern Drama; an Arrangement of Plays According to their Essential Interest (Viewpoint Series)

Drury, francis keese wynkoop, a.l. a. 1925 dewey dec. 016.8.

Three hundred and sixty-eight modern plays grouped by class or theme, briefly but effectively characterized, and their plots outlined. Acting facts are also given. Part two lists and describes many volumes on modern drama, criticism, play writing and amateur production.- A.L.A. Catalog 1926.

Plays for Children – World Literature Books PDF

Oglebay, kate, arr..

Lists plays adapted to ages from six to sixteen, giving information as to publisher, scenes, time needed for presentation, characters, costumes, etc. Lists of reference books on producing, costuming, etc.- A.L.A. Catalog 1912-1921.

Index to Dramatic Readings (Useful Reference Series)

Silk, agnes k. and fanning, c. e., comp., faxon 1925 dewey dec. 016.8.

An index to the contents of twenty-five volumes of collections of dramatic readings published in the years 1915 to 1924, and chosen for their wide range of subjects. Selections are made available in numerous ways: by author, title, subject, by type of selection, occasion, and index of first lines and refrains. Of value to public readers, dramatic teachers and librarians.- A.L.A. Catalog 1926.

Save the Cat!: The Last Book on Screenwriting You’ll Ever Need

Snyder, blake.

the best seller, for over 15 years, that’s been used by screenwriters around the world! Blake Snyder tells all in this fast, funny and candid look inside the movie business. “Save the Cat” is just one of many ironclad rules for making your ideas more marketable and your script more satisfying. This ultimate insider’s guide reveals the secrets that none dare admit, told by a showbiz veteran who’s proven that you can sell your script if you can save the cat.

Drama Criticism (Volumes 1-53)

Trudeau, lawrence j., ed., gale 1991-2015.

“Presents literary criticism on the works of dramatists of all nations, cultures, and time periods. Critical essays are selected from leading sources, including published journals, magazines, books, reviews, radio transcripts, diaries, newspapers, broadsheets, pamphlets, and scholarly papers” – Publisher.

English Drama Online – Collection – Free eBook Library

About 2,500 free online English Drama online books at the Internet Archive.

Naming the Unnameable: An Approach to Poetry for New Generations – Classic Literature PDF

Evory, michelle bonczek, open suny 2018.

This text offers practical advice and strategies for developing a writing process that is centered on play and supported by an understanding of America’s rich literary traditions. The volume includes resources for students seeking to publish and build a writing-centered lifestyle or career. Open Access textbook.

American Poetry – Collection

More than 5,500 free online books at the Internet Archive, resulting from a search for books on “American Poetry”.

English Poetry – Collection

More than 5,600 free online poetry books in pdf at the Internet Archive, resulting from a search for books on “English Poetry”.

Children’s Poetry Collection

More than 5,300 free online poetry books at the Internet Archive, resulting from a search for books on “Children’s Poetry”.

Jury of Her Peers: American Women Writers from Anne Bradstreet to Annie Proulx

Showalter, elaine.

“In a narrative of immense scope and fascination – spanning nearly 400 years and brimming with Showalter’s characteristic wit and incisive opinions – readers are introduced to more than 250 female writers, both famous and little known.”

Women and Literature Collection

About 3,000 free online books at the Internet Archive, resulting from a search for books on “Women and Literature”. Read books free online, women’s literature, literary criticism.

Compact Anthology of World Literature – World Literature Books PDF

Getty, laura and kwon, kyounghye, univ of north georgia 2016.

The emphasis in this anthology is on non-Western works. It is divided into sections on the ancient Middle East and Greece; China; India; and Rome.

World Literature I: Beginnings to 1650

Sections of the text are divided by time period in three parts: the Ancient World, Middle Ages, and Renaissance, and then divided into chapters by location. It provides the best free texts available. Open Access textbook.

Books Translated into English – Collection – Classic Literature PDF

More than 4,600 free online books at the Internet Archive, translated into English.

Literature Translations Collection

About 530 works of literature translated into a different language – mostly into English.

Canadian Fiction Collection

About 1,200 free novels online for reading or downloading at the Internet Archive, resulting from a search for books on “Canadian Fiction”. Some authors are: Marian Engel, Gabrielle Roy, Kelley Armstrong, Lex Williford, Joan Smith, Alice Munro, Elizabeth Thornton, Margaret Atwood, Margaret Laurence, Roch Carrier, Anne Cameron, Lawrence Hill, Michael Slade, Mazo De la Roche, JoAnn Ross, Anne Hebert. Canadian Fiction (English), Canadian, Canada.

Chinese Fiction in Chinese and English Collection

More than 1,500 free full-length Chinese novels at the Internet Archive, resulting from a search for books on “Chinese Fiction”. Some are translated into English.

French Fiction in French and English Collection

Here are over 1,100 PDF French novels online, about half translated into English.

French Literature in French and English Collection

More than 1,600 works of French literature or literary criticism. About half are in English.

Spanish Language Juvenile Fiction Collection

More than 2,100 free juvenile fiction books in Spanish. Be patient as the page loads. Free books Spanish.

Spanish Language Adult Fiction Collection

About 4,300 free novels in Spanish. Free Spanish language books, free novels online, world literature books, read books free online.

German Fiction Collection – World Literature Books PDF

About 1,000 free novels in German.

Russian Fiction Collection – Classic Literature PDF

About 1,600 free novels in Russian.

Welsh Fiction Collection

About 670 free online novels in Welsh at the Internet Archive.

Free Audiobooks at Internet Archive for Foreign Languages

Most works were published before 1928. Most of these collections contain both fiction and nonfiction.

Stories Set in Germany or in German Language

Books in German Language

Stories Set in France or in French Language

Books in French Language

Stories Set in Japan or in Japanese Language

Books in Japanese Language

Stories Set in the Netherlands or in Dutch Language

Books in Dutch Language

Stories Set in Greece or in Greek Language

Books in Greek Language

Books in Ancient Greek Language

Books Set in Spanish Speaking Countries

Books in Spanish Language

Books in Portuguese Language

Books in Italian Language

Books in Russian Language

Books in Polish Language

Books in Chinese Language

Books in Hebrew Language

Books in Latin Language

More Free Books at Internet Archive on Literature Topics

African literature

American literature

Bible in literature

Biography as a literary form

Black humor (Literature)

Books and reading

Catholic literature

Characters and characteristics in literature

Comparative literature

Controversial literature

Epic literature

Erotic literature

Folk literature

Gay men’s writings

Icelandic literature

Indic literature

Jewish literature

Latin American literature

Lesbians’ writings

Literary style

Mexican literature

Modernism in literature

Native American literature

Old Norse literature

Realism in literature

Religious literature

Romanticism

Scandinavian literature

Soviet literature

Stories, plots, etc.

Translating and interpreting

Voyages and travels

Wit and humor

Young Adult literature

Free Audiobooks at Internet Archive for Literature

Most works were published before 1928. Some of these collections contain both fiction and nonfiction.

Literature Books

Short Stories

Shakespeare

Social Novels

These Century Past Pages May Be of Interest

Novels by Location of Setting

Historical Fiction Main Page

Classic Novels, in Text and Audio

Short Story Collections

Novels for Teens and Young Adults

Popular Fiction Main Page – Many Genres

Record Albums, Old Radio Shows, Audio Books

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World Literature I: Beginnings to 1650

(6 reviews)

Laura Getty, North Georgia College & State University

Kyounghye Kwon, University of North Georgia

Copyright Year: 2015

ISBN 13: 9781940771328

Publisher: University of North Georgia Press

Language: English

Formats Available

Conditions of use.

Learn more about reviews.

Reviewed by Suzanne Bessenger, Associate Professor, Randolph College on 12/3/19

The text provides a selection of texts appropriate to a survey of Asian religions course. read more

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

The text provides a selection of texts appropriate to a survey of Asian religions course.

Content Accuracy rating: 4

Translations are accurate.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 3

The text's translations are antiquated, but not so much so that they would be unusable in an undergraduate classroom.

Clarity rating: 4

Again, the translations are antiquated, which makes them not as accessible as more recent translations. They remain usable, however. The introductions to each region from which the texts are drawn are short, but clear.

Consistency rating: 5

The formatting and quality of the book is consistent throughout.

Modularity rating: 3

Unfortunately, this book is only available as three PDFs. The reader thus needs to scroll down through each PDF to find the appropriate page. Hypertext links would improve the navigability of the text.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

The text is clearly organized by geographical region, with each book section beginning with short descriptions of historical eras and regions.

Interface rating: 5

The interface is a PDF document. Although this format makes for slow navigability, it has the virtue of being free of interface problems.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

In my perusal of the text, I encountered no grammatical errors.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

The text is a survey of world literature, and thus is inclusive of a variety of races, ethnicities, and cultures. In my perusal of the text, I encountered nothing insensitive.

Reviewed by Rebecca Sailor, Professor, Humanities, Aims Community College on 6/24/19

This book comprehensively covers ancient literature to 1600 with key works. read more

This book comprehensively covers ancient literature to 1600 with key works.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

This book draws from high quality translations. The authors combine translations and make improvements when needed.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

This book will maintain longevity for some time; these works will not fade in terms of importance.

This text combines the best free texts available to date. There are more accessible, fresh versions of many of these stories, but they are unlikely to be able to provided for free.

The book is consistent with a reliable structure: effective introductions and reading questions are present at each new section.

This book is effective in terms of modularity; there are clear sections provided in the table of contents, but it would be easy to create a class according to different modules such as geography, heroes/epics, etc. However, because the texts are provided in their entirety, they are quite long. This could make it difficult to create shorter thematic sections around topics.

This text is clearly organized around geographical locations, and there are excellent introductions to each chapter. Textual notes on the part of the authors help to provide context.

Interface rating: 3

The interface is not significantly flawed, but there is some room for improvement. For example, adding document links that hop from the table of contents (TOC) to the page where the selection begins (and links that hop from the end of a selection back to the TOC) would help the reader navigate more quickly when searching for something, since this .pdf quite lengthy. Additionally, adding subsections to the TOC would help the reader navigate more quickly. For example, if there are multiple books or translations in each work, having the TOC list those subsections/page numbers would be helpful.

This work is excellently edited.

Cultural Relevance rating: 4

This edition reflects ample diversity. However, there is an opportunity to add even more sources; for example, poetry of Sappho and the Book of the Dead might be nice additions.

I'm grateful that this book has been created and provided for students' and instructors' use. It is extremely convenient to have these sources combined for use in literature, humanities, and history courses. Thank you!

Reviewed by Jessica Tvordi, Associate Professor, Southern Utah University on 8/2/18

For a compact anthology, this title is comprehensive in in coverage of world literature—from Ancient Greece and Rome, to Asia and India, to medieval and Renaissance Europe, to Native American texts of the New World. Unfortunately, it does not... read more

Comprehensiveness rating: 3 see less

For a compact anthology, this title is comprehensive in in coverage of world literature—from Ancient Greece and Rome, to Asia and India, to medieval and Renaissance Europe, to Native American texts of the New World. Unfortunately, it does not include any women writers, which is beyond unfortunate given that they work acknowledges in its introduction the importance of some of these works in examining the roles of women. If I used any one of the texts three sections, I would need to supplement, especially for Part 3.

The content is accurate, error-free, and unbiased to the best of my knowledge (given the anthology's historical scope).

Relevance/Longevity rating: 4

The authors successfully situate the literary works within the broader culture, history, and geopolitics of the ancient world through the Renaissance in a way that is informative and unbiased. Thus, subsequent research on these areas would not render the work obsolete, and any changes to the framework for the anthology of texts would be minimal. The lack of women writers, however, may make this text seem outdated to some potential adopters.

Clarity rating: 5

The introductory sections are written clearly, and will be easily accessible to undergraduate students. The text is low in jargon, and the tone seems geared toward sophomore or less experienced students—maybe even non-majors.

The text is internally consistent in terms of terminology and framework across the three parts.

Modularity rating: 5

I think the text is successful in this regard, keeping in my that this is not a textbook conveying information but rather an anthology of literary works. For that reason, there are large blocks of text without subheadings, but there's really no way to avoid that.

The organization makes sense and is consistence across the the parts or volumes of the text.

The text has no interface issues—it is easy to navigate and created no confusion for the reader.

The text contains no grammatical errors.

Cultural Relevance rating: 3

The text is culturally relevant with regards to nation and ethnicity, but excludes women writers, which will make this book less competitive than the conventionally published anthologies which have been addressing this issue for decades.

I found the student engagement questions included in each part very helpful and relevant. The writers are very attuned to the needs/limitations of undergraduate readers of classic literature, and this is something I would like to see in more anthologies. I also appreciate that the text is set up to be used thematically and comparatively—again, the writers have offered something that the instructor usually has to work out herself.

Reviewed by Rachael Hammond, Lecturer, Shenandoah University on 5/21/18

Creating a text such as this one could be daunting. The text is already separated into three pdf’s, so including more texts could become unwieldy at some point. Including more introductory notes on form might be helpful. Those already... read more

Comprehensiveness rating: 5 see less

Creating a text such as this one could be daunting. The text is already separated into three pdf’s, so including more texts could become unwieldy at some point.

Including more introductory notes on form might be helpful. Those already provided are strongly composed and quite helpful. For instance, the introduction to Homer provides great background information on the consistent appreciation for Homer’s writing talents. However, the note, if longer, could address the beauty of the original poems, especially since the translations of The Iliad and The Odyssey are in a prose-like form. At the same time, thought, the poetic translation of The Aeneid, which is included, does provide counterpoint lessons not only on approaches to epic storytelling but also on approaches to translation work itself.

Also, perhaps including more Dante and even just a few samples of Boethius and Petrarch could enliven the European portion of the second book, particularly inasmuch as they could further exemplify the shift from medieval European to the Renaissance European cultural mindsets. The pictures accompanying the Canterbury Tales are great; including some introductory notes on illuminated manuscripts and the craft of writing could enliven that portion of the text while also positioning a great comparison with how that craft developed and evolved in other key cultures featured in the text.

The third book ably crosses the Atlantic, with the inclusion of various Native American pieces. They deliver wonderful examples for demonstrating both a contrast of cultural perspectives as well as a commentary on the universal human experience. Including some Francis Bacon in the third book could prove a meaningful addition, as well, especially given the rise of the essay.

Otherwise, including samples of South America and Africa could further strengthen the text’s comprehensives while also offering professors opportunities for still more comparisons of mythologies. –But again, as the books are already lengthy, decisions about what to include must certainly be difficult.

Translations comprise the bulk of the textbook. The translators include both recent quality translations as well as those long-revered (such as Samuel Butler). Editorial acumen seems exhaustive and precise.

Both the texts themselves and the introductory sections are relevant, particularly for a world literature or an ancient literature course. The editors’ notes are clear and gently illuminate the timeless relevance of the text’s contents. The works included in this book are timeless classics that comment on universal literary themes. In addition, the works provide great grounding for students who need to develop their ability to recognize Classical allusions in other literary works.

The translations and unit introductions are clear. The text also includes some helpful tools to help students in better understanding the works of literature and the cultures of the authors and original readers/listeners. For instance, the introduction to The Aeneid includes a helpful chart that helps students to understand the comparisons of the Greek versus the Roman forms of the ancient gods.

Consistency rating: 4

The three books demonstrate an effort to balance both the cultures and the genres represented in the given time period.

The text is clearly delineated in the table of contents, allowing professors to use the text either in a cultural approach, an historical approach, a thematic approach, and/or a form or genre approach.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 4

The introduction itself read, “A word to the instructor: The texts have been chosen with the idea that they can be compared and contrasted, using common themes.” The text does follow through on this claim, and it complements my plan for an ancient literature course that I am designing. The flow is logical, and the text is organized in a manner that allows professors to assign readings in any way that seems more appropriate for the given course.

Interface rating: 4

The interface is user friendly. The unit introductions generally include engaging images and photographs. They enliven the screen, which is especially helpful as this book is quite sizeable. (Some free online sources do not seem to include many or any images, so the inclusion here is a visual treat for the professor and could help to improve the readability for students who might other wise experience some screen fatigue.) Using the command-F or the control-F short cut, depending on your computer type, is a helpful tool for navigating large texts such as these.

Grammatical Errors rating: 4

The grammar use, overall, is both strong and graceful. The text’s tone is sometimes conversational; however, since some students might consider these works daunting, the conversational tone, combined with the occasional vivid images, might put such students at greater ease.

The text seems to navigate aspects of cultural difference with much ease. –Given the nature of this book’s content, that is important. In fact, some of the introductory notes provide suggestions for assignments and activities that will help students to consider cultural and historical differences, in an objective manner, while studying these texts. However, placing the two versions of the Bible before Gilgamesh could appear as a hierarchical decision to some readers who might date Gilgamesh earlier and thus place it earlier in the anthology.

The appendices include very helpful links to the original texts. I found the text helpful and plan include it in an undergraduate ancient literature course that I will be teaching in a few months. Overall, the text provides a comprehensive and thought-provoking anthology of many of the world's greatest texts.

Reviewed by Aimee Barrios, Instructor, Southeastern Louisiana University on 6/20/17

The text covers an impressive range of materials, but the omission of Middle Eastern and African literature, especially The Arabian Nights, is glaring. The index is effective, but the commentary and annotation are weak. More textual support... read more

The text covers an impressive range of materials, but the omission of Middle Eastern and African literature, especially The Arabian Nights, is glaring. The index is effective, but the commentary and annotation are weak. More textual support (guided discussion questions, etc.) would be helpful.

No errors in content were noted, and the text seems unbiased.

The content is very relevant. The author did a good job of choosing texts that are seminal and clearly influential. The thematic overview is also helpful.

The writing level is actually quite accessible which is helpful for non-majors who might be required to take a World Lit course. More context would be useful.

The text seems consistent in terminology, framework and formatting

Modularity rating: 4

The divisions in the text work well, but the excerpts are too long. For example, including two versions of the bible without annotation is not very useful. Breaking up long sections of text with comprehension questions would be helpful to reluctant readers.

The ordering was a little confusing at parts. For example, the Hebrew text is presented before Gilgamesh which is confusing since Gilgamesh predates it by so many years. Annotation between selections to transition and draw comparisons would be useful.

The text was easy to navigate; the visuals were helpful and easy to enlarge on a screen. I found it frustrating to navigate within long selections, however. A sidebar with hyperlinks would help a lot. Also, is it possible to embed video ciips in the text to break up the reading and reenforce comprehension?

There were no obvious grammatical errors in this text.

There were no selections by women writers and no African texts. A pre-colonial text, like the Epic of Son Sara, would provide a good perspective.

Reviewed by Albrecht Classen, Univ. Distinguished Prof., University of Arizona on 2/8/17

The scope of this textbook is huge, trying to cover the early history of literature in Europe, the Middle East, India, Japan, and China, extending from the ancient period to the end of the fifteenth century. The authors have made a selection that... read more

The scope of this textbook is huge, trying to cover the early history of literature in Europe, the Middle East, India, Japan, and China, extending from the ancient period to the end of the fifteenth century. The authors have made a selection that presents, indeed, some of the most important texts composed in those areas and periods. So we find the Old Testament, the epic of Gilgamesh, The Tale of Genji, and others. No one can be an expert and we constantly face huge challenges when we cross cultural borders. This textbook takes students to many different worlds, and at the end of the course they will probably be well informed about the truly major texts produced then and there. I wonder, however, whether those huge reading sections are the best in conveying to students the complexity and richness of the material. While scrolling through the book, I got rather irritated about the vastness of the material, considering that so many cultures and periods need to be considered. Does it make sense to ask students to read such long sections? I am afraid that they will not do that anyway, esp. not with an online textbook. We can applaud the authors to be so ambitious, but it would have been much more useful if there had been small pieces along with a thorough group of guiding questions. There are brief introductions, but they often do not say very much. Wherever I felt more like an expert, I was rather disappointed about the low quality of those remarks. But altogether, the selection is pretty comprehensive in what the editors intend. But many other texts could have been utilized, especially those written by women, which are not presented here. A discussion about this would have been helpful.

Since the intros. are fairly short and general, there is not much to be worried about. The students get basic facts, but mostly they are left wondering what the texts might be about and why they are supposed to read them. There are virtually no efforts to didacticize them.

The entire concept of world literature is a good one, but it comes with a lot of problems because the essential idea is to compare those texts with each other. But the cultural and historical background is so vastly different. I am afraid that students will get bored very quickly, esp. because they will not be able to recognize the significance of the texts. They are all certainly relevant, but how would the beginner know this? Basically, it might be much cheaper and easier to ask students to purchase individual textbooks or to read the texts online in other databases.

Overall, well done, very clear structure, clear introductions. However, it is very difficult to scroll through this book, there are no hyperlinks, one cannot jump from one text to the other, apart from doing a global search. Using this book on my laptop was very difficult and uncomfortable; easier on the PC. The authors write in a very clear, accessible English.

This is the kind of textbook that were produced over the last decades, and the intros. and other accompanying texts are clear and understandable. There is no particular jargon, so this is good for freshmen students.

Modularity rating: 2

Not at all; there are huge junks of text, and one cannot easily work through the sections to move on.

The structure is well done, geographical and chronological order are good.

Interface rating: 1

The interface is practically not existent. Why is this even an online book? Nothing of the powers of the hyperlink system is utilized. The images and maps are nice, but I feel frustrated that the image on the cover, the Ebstorf World Map, is not even identified. This goes back to the same issues; this is a textbook with no pedagogical strategies and hardly any didacticizing efforts, apart from a few very general questions.

I did not observe any grammatical errors.

Cultural Relevance rating: 2

The issue of cultural relevance is hardly mentioned, and the readers will not easily understand why this text selection has been made. The instructor will have to work very hard on his/her own to utilize those texts in the classroom and to build connections between the Western and the Eastern sections.

Table of Contents

Middle East, Near East, Greece

• Hebrew Bible, “Genesis” and “Exodus”
• The Epic of Gilgamesh
• The Iliad and The Odyssey
• Oedipus the king
• The Apology of Socrates
• The Analects
• The Art of War
• The Book of Songs
• The Mother of Mencius
• The Zhuangzi
• The Bhagavad Gita
• The Mahabharata
• The Ramayana
• Metamorphoses

Bibliography Appendix

Ancillary Material

• Ancillary materials are available by contacting the author or publisher .

About the Book

This peer-reviewed World Literature I anthology includes introductory text and images before each series of readings. Sections of the text are divided bytimeperiod in three parts: the Ancient World, Middle Ages, and Renaissance, and then divided into chapters by location.

About the Contributors

Laura Getty is an English professor at North Georgia College & State University in Dahlonega, GA. 

Kyounghye Kwon is an assistant professor in the English department at the University of North Georgia. She received her doctoral degree in English and her certificate in Theatre and Performance from The Ohio State University. Her teaching and research areas include world literature, postcolonial studies, Asian/Asian American studies, gender studies, and performance studies. Her current research focuses on how Korean traditional puppet theatre preserves, alters, and adapts Korea's pre-colonial/indigenous memory in its performance repertoires for contemporary audiences, with particular attention to indigenous memory, gender, and the changing nature of the audience. She is co-editor of Compact Anthology of World Literature (UNGP, 2015), an open access textbook funded by a Complete College Georgia Grant. Her articles and reviews have appeared in Asian Theatre Journal, Journal of Dramatic Theory and Criticism, Theatre Survey, Theatre Journal, Pinter Et Cetera, and Text & Presentation.

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ENGLISH LITERATURE: AN INTRODUCTION

An introduction to the study of English Literature, including discussions of: how to define "literature", why study literature?, how to approach the great books, and English literary periods.

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24) Novels in Portuguese

The Novel is undoubtedly the most used narrative genre, so much so that it was considered to be a literary genre different from the narration, but it could not be separated from it due to the use of elements that compose it.

It is generally written in prose, and its content is quite extensive compared to the short story, therefore it usually contains many chapters that are related to each other, thus developing the story from beginning to end.

Most novels are usually fictional, however, great writers such as Miguel de Cervantes and Gabriel García Márquez managed to give a unique touch to their works, which are part of the classics of world literature, and serve as an example for current and emerging writers.

Enjoy this selection of 15 Novels in Portuguese.

25) Novels in Spanish

Enjoy this selection of 15 Novels in Spanish.

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1) Poor Folk by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Poor Folk is Fyodor Dostoevsky’s first novel, which belongs to the epistolary subgenre. It was published in 1846 and received good reviews since then. One critical review posits that this is the earliest known social novel. The plot is quite simple, though no less interesting for that.

It all centers on the correspondence between Varvara and Makar, distant relatives from the city of St. Petersburg. There they relate their personal lives, work matters, and also their views about the society in which they are immersed.

Both are poor and this makes them empathize with each other. Varvara is a young girl living with her father and stepmother, and Makar is a government official. Despite their growing affection for each other, it seems that life has no plans to bring them together.

2) Dangerous Liaisons by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos

Dangerous Liaisons is a classic epistolary novel, written by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos and published in 1782. It is about a cruel and Machiavellian ploy by the Marquise de Merteuil and the Viscount de Valmont, who lead a libertine life and rejoice in it through letters.

One day, Merteuil devises a plan in which Valmont must seduce the young and recently released from a convent Cécile de Volanges. In exchange, the Marquise would allow the viscount to sleep with her. Merteuil’s goal was to keep Cécile’s music tutor, with whom the naive young woman was in love.

But, the plans did not go as well as she had hoped and they will all have to pay the consequences of the tragic endings that will be unleashed.

3) Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Little Women is a novel that develops deep and human themes within its interesting plot. Published in 1868, after the American Civil War, it tells the story of 4 sisters: Megan (Meg), Josephine (Jo), Elizabeth (Beth), and Amy. All of them have to live with the detachment of their father and the economic shortages due to the political and social situation of their time.

As the novel progresses we see the psychology of each of the sisters, how they face the challenges of transitioning into adulthood, as well as overcoming their faults and strengthening their virtues.

4) The Time Machine by H.G. Wells

The Time Machine is a science fiction novel, written by H.G. Wells and published in 1895. It is one of the author’s most famous works. It is about the extraordinary feat of a scientist who builds a time machine. By discovering the keys to go into the future, this man manages to reach the year 802,701.

When he returns home, he tells his friends an incredible story about a human civilization that instead of advancing has regressed in terms of social and technological progress. And when he went even further into the future, he was able to observe the destruction of the earth. His colleagues don’t believe his story, but the man is ready to travel again.

5) The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka

The Metamorphosis is a classic of world literature, written by the Czech Franz Kafka and published in 1915. It is an unusual story. Many literary critics believe that it is a metaphor for the man who grew up in the industrial era, treated as a new slave, condemned to live with the mistreatment and injustices of the system.

It is a short novel that tells the curious transformation of Gregory Samsa into an insect. All the events unleashed by this strange phenomenon, create a growing narrative tension that does not cease until the end of the story.

6) The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is a novel written by Mark Twain and published in parts starting in 1876. It is considered a true masterpiece of world literature. In its pages, the reader witnesses the vicissitudes of one of the most famous children of the Anglo-Saxon narrative.

The story tells the antics of Tom Sawyer and his friend Huckleberry Finn, who among all the entanglements they generate, one day bury a cat in the cemetery where a murder was being carried out, which they end up witnessing.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and his friend involves not only them but also other friends and the inhabitants of the fictional town of St. Petersburg, on the coast of the Mississippi River.

7) White Nights by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

White Nights is a short novel by the famous Russian writer Fyodor Dostoyevsky. It is one of his first works. It was published in 1848, making it his fourth novel. The plot takes place during four white nights, a natural phenomenon in which the sun does not seem to go down completely, so that darkness never really comes.

The narrator is now in the habit of going for walks during the white nights. On those walks, he meets Nástenka, a woman who lives with her blind and controlling grandmother. After he defends her from an attacker, Nástenka agrees to be his friend, on the sole condition that he does not fall in love with her. And although the narrator makes the promise, as the plot progresses he does not seem to keep it.

8) A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

A Tale of Two Cities is the 12th book by Charles Dickens, published in 1859 when he was already an outstanding and mature author. For many critics, the beginning of this novel is the best in the history of literature.

Although it was written long after the French Revolution, it is set at that time. These were turbulent years for France, whose people were suffering the horrors of injustice and abuse by the monarchies, and who would henceforth continue to go through the chaos typical of social transformations.

The two cities portrayed in this book are Paris and London. Both were immersed in very different realities that even contrasted, since in the former there reigned an atmosphere of weariness and rebellion, extreme poverty and violence everywhere; in the latter, on the other hand, there was economic and social stability that made peace flourish.

9) The Iron Heel by Jack London

The Iron Heel is a dystopian novel, written by Jack London and published in 1908. It is considered by many a prophetic work of what would become the current capitalist system. In the novel, London tells us about an oligarchic and totalitarian regime that ruled for 400 years.

In its last century, the system was shaken by working-class revolts that became stronger and more relevant. Society was then divided into three camps: the oligarchy, the proletariat, and the mercenaries. The latter took one side or the other according to their convenience at the time. Finally, the constant conflicts shook the Iron Heel.

10) Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Brave New World is a dystopian novel, written by Aldous Huxley and published in 1932. Set in a future time, the story contains all the tragic but overlapping elements that lead a society to repression, totalitarianism, and extreme control of human life.

Humanity had been plagued by wars and their dire consequences, which is why the citizenry asked the political establishment to take total control and suppress any form of human suffering.

Since then, society was subjected to changes such as infertility, artificial reproduction, indoctrination from birth, caste division, the elimination of the family, the annulment of emotions, and sexual debauchery. This is how the World State functioned until the protagonist began to question everything.

11) The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle

The Hound of the Baskervilles is Arthur Conan Doyle’s most famous novel, starring the iconic detective Sherlock Holmes. The plot revolves around the “curse” of the Baskervilles, initiated with the death of Hugo Baskerville by a hound, all this to punish him for his wickedness.

In the year 1800, Sir Charles Baskerville is found dead on the Devonshire moor, so Dr. Mortimer goes in search of Sherlock and shows him the manuscript about the curse, and tells him about some hound tracks found near the body. From then on, the investigation of this mysterious crime begins.

12) A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

A Christmas Carol is a short novel by the British writer Charles Dickens. It was first published in December 1843 and since then it has become a guiding story in the family traditions of both the United Kingdom and the United States, especially at Christmas time.

Ebenezer Scrooge is a self-centered and materialistic man. This prevents him from sharing with his family and being charitable to the poor, among other things. But, his attitude changes completely after being visited by a group of ghosts on Christmas Eve.

During the narration, we will see the conversion of this particular character that will leave us with important life lessons.

13) The Trial by Franz Kafka

The Trial is a posthumous novel by Franz Kafka, it was based on a manuscript that he left unfinished before he died. It is considered a masterpiece and has been included in several lists of the best books in history.

The plot revolves around Josef K., a bank manager who is arrested one morning by the authorities, who give him no explanation other than being prosecuted by the law.

From that moment on, he enters hell to try to defend himself from a crime he is unaware of and blindly takes steps in a trial through which it is impossible for him to access justice.

14) The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas

The Three Musketeers is one of the greatest novels of the French writer Alexandre Dumas and has become the universal classic favorite of millions of readers around the world. It was originally published as a folio in 1844.

The plot begins in France (1625) when the young Gascon, called D’Artagnan, travels to Paris to fulfill his goal of becoming a musketeer. As soon as he arrives, he is confronted by the Count of Rochefort, whose identity he does not know at the time.

Once in the French capital, he is intercepted by three musketeers (Athos, Porthos, and Aramis) who challenge him to a duel. However, the feat is thwarted because duels were forbidden. From that moment on, they all become inseparable friends and put themselves at the service of King Louis XIII, thus changing the history of France.

Well, here ends our selection of novels to read and download for free in PDF. We hope you liked it!

If you found this list useful, don’t forget to share it in your main social networks. Remember that «Sharing is Building».

And remember that if you have a book to recommend you can do so in the comments.

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