At the Back of the North Wind
Read this book freeEvery sentence translated, natural audio, one-tap dictionary
Diamond, a young boy, is taken on nightly journeys by the North Wind, who appears to him in various forms. Together they visit faraway places and witness both beauty and hardship. The story blends fantasy with gentle moral reflection. MacDonald's lyrical prose and episodic structure make it suitable for learners who enjoy imaginative tales, though the Victorian style may require some adjustment.
Learn English with At the Back of the North Wind
- Suits learners around level A2: you read the original, not a simplified retelling.
- Who it suits: a full-length book at A2, for readers who have finished a short classic and want a longer story with the translation as a safety net.
- 5,230 distinct words, each one a tap away from your personal vocabulary list.
- Translation into Russian, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Japanese, Chinese, Turkish or Arabic, aligned to every sentence, shown under the text or beside it.
- Read-aloud audio for every chapter, with the current sentence highlighted as it is read.
- Read in English, glance at the translation under any sentence you are unsure of, and listen to natural read-aloud voices to train your ear.
How it works
- Open the book: no installation, it reads in the browser on any device.
- Read a sentence in English. Its translation sits right under it, so you never lose the thread.
- Tap a word for its meaning and save it; listen to the chapter read aloud.
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Questions about this book
Can I read At the Back of the North Wind in English for free?
Yes. The first chapters of At the Back of the North Wind open without an account, with the translation, audio and dictionary included. A free account unlocks the rest of the book.
How much English do I need?
The text is estimated at level A2. Because every sentence has its translation underneath, lower levels can follow along too.
Is there audio?
Yes. Each chapter can be read aloud by a natural-sounding voice while the current sentence is highlighted.
Is At the Back of the North Wind available in Russian?
Yes. On Booklern the English text of At the Back of the North Wind is shown with its Russian translation under every sentence, so you read the original and check the Russian whenever you need to.
Is At the Back of the North Wind available in Spanish?
Yes. On Booklern the English text of At the Back of the North Wind is shown with its Spanish translation under every sentence, so you read the original and check the Spanish whenever you need to.
Is At the Back of the North Wind available in Brazilian Portuguese?
Yes. On Booklern the English text of At the Back of the North Wind is shown with its Brazilian Portuguese translation under every sentence, so you read the original and check the Brazilian Portuguese whenever you need to.
Is At the Back of the North Wind available in Japanese?
Yes. On Booklern the English text of At the Back of the North Wind is shown with its Japanese translation under every sentence, so you read the original and check the Japanese whenever you need to.
Is At the Back of the North Wind available in Chinese?
Yes. On Booklern the English text of At the Back of the North Wind is shown with its Chinese translation under every sentence, so you read the original and check the Chinese whenever you need to.
Is At the Back of the North Wind available in Turkish?
Yes. On Booklern the English text of At the Back of the North Wind is shown with its Turkish translation under every sentence, so you read the original and check the Turkish whenever you need to.
Is At the Back of the North Wind available in Arabic?
Yes. On Booklern the English text of At the Back of the North Wind is shown with its Arabic translation under every sentence, so you read the original and check the Arabic whenever you need to.
Can I download At the Back of the North Wind as a PDF or EPUB?
Not from Booklern: the book is read online, in the browser, with nothing to download or install. Your place in the book is saved to your account.
