King Lear
Read this book freeEvery sentence translated, natural audio, one-tap dictionary
King Lear decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters according to how much they say they love him. The two elder daughters flatter him, while Cordelia refuses to perform, and Lear's rage sets off a chain of betrayal and madness. The play's stark language and family conflict give learners memorable scenes of anger, loyalty and regret.
Learn English with King Lear
- 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.
- 4,063 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 King Lear in English for free?
Yes. The first chapters of King Lear 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 King Lear available in Russian?
Yes. On Booklern the English text of King Lear is shown with its Russian translation under every sentence, so you read the original and check the Russian whenever you need to.
Is King Lear available in Spanish?
Yes. On Booklern the English text of King Lear is shown with its Spanish translation under every sentence, so you read the original and check the Spanish whenever you need to.
Is King Lear available in Brazilian Portuguese?
Yes. On Booklern the English text of King Lear 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 King Lear available in Japanese?
Yes. On Booklern the English text of King Lear is shown with its Japanese translation under every sentence, so you read the original and check the Japanese whenever you need to.
Is King Lear available in Chinese?
Yes. On Booklern the English text of King Lear is shown with its Chinese translation under every sentence, so you read the original and check the Chinese whenever you need to.
Is King Lear available in Turkish?
Yes. On Booklern the English text of King Lear is shown with its Turkish translation under every sentence, so you read the original and check the Turkish whenever you need to.
Is King Lear available in Arabic?
Yes. On Booklern the English text of King Lear 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 King Lear 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.
