The Secret Agent: A Simple Tale
Read this book freeEvery sentence translated, natural audio, one-tap dictionary
Set in London in the 1880s, this novel follows Verloc, a secret agent posing as a shopkeeper, who is involved in a plot to bomb the Greenwich Observatory. His wife Winnie and her simple-minded brother are caught in the consequences. Conrad's prose is dense and psychological, with intricate sentences. For advanced learners, it offers a challenge in complex narrative structure and rich vocabulary.
Learn English with The Secret Agent: A Simple Tale
- Suits learners around level B2: you read the original, not a simplified retelling.
- 8,923 distinct words, each one a tap away from your personal vocabulary list.
- 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.
Create a free accountRead full books, save your progress and vocabulary, upload your own books.
Questions about this book
Can I read The Secret Agent: A Simple Tale in English for free?
Yes. The first chapters of The Secret Agent: A Simple Tale 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 B2. 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.
