The Thirty-Nine Steps
Read this book freeEvery sentence translated, natural audio, one-tap dictionary
English books for B1 level (intermediate) · Novels in English for learners, with translation
The Thirty-Nine Steps is a spy thriller by John Buchan. It follows Richard Hannay, a man who stumbles upon a conspiracy and becomes a fugitive, pursued by both the police and enemy agents. He must decode a cryptic message to prevent a political assassination. The novel is a fast-paced adventure with twists and turns, set against the backdrop of pre-World War I Britain. Its short chapters and clear narrative make it an excellent choice for learners, offering suspense and everyday vocabulary.
Learn English with The Thirty-Nine Steps
- Suits learners around level B1: you read the original, not a simplified retelling.
- Who it suits: a full-length book at B1, for readers who have finished a short classic and want a longer story with the translation as a safety net.
- 5,308 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 The Thirty-Nine Steps in English for free?
Yes. The first chapters of The Thirty-Nine Steps 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 B1. 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 The Thirty-Nine Steps available in Russian?
Yes. On Booklern the English text of The Thirty-Nine Steps is shown with its Russian translation under every sentence, so you read the original and check the Russian whenever you need to.
Is The Thirty-Nine Steps available in Spanish?
Yes. On Booklern the English text of The Thirty-Nine Steps is shown with its Spanish translation under every sentence, so you read the original and check the Spanish whenever you need to.
Is The Thirty-Nine Steps available in Brazilian Portuguese?
Yes. On Booklern the English text of The Thirty-Nine Steps 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 The Thirty-Nine Steps available in Japanese?
Yes. On Booklern the English text of The Thirty-Nine Steps is shown with its Japanese translation under every sentence, so you read the original and check the Japanese whenever you need to.
Is The Thirty-Nine Steps available in Chinese?
Yes. On Booklern the English text of The Thirty-Nine Steps is shown with its Chinese translation under every sentence, so you read the original and check the Chinese whenever you need to.
Is The Thirty-Nine Steps available in Turkish?
Yes. On Booklern the English text of The Thirty-Nine Steps is shown with its Turkish translation under every sentence, so you read the original and check the Turkish whenever you need to.
Is The Thirty-Nine Steps available in Arabic?
Yes. On Booklern the English text of The Thirty-Nine Steps 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 The Thirty-Nine Steps 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.
