Two Years in the Forbidden City
Read this book freeEvery sentence translated, natural audio, one-tap dictionary
English books for B2 level (upper intermediate) · Essays in English for learners, with translation
Two Years in the Forbidden City is a memoir by Princess Der Ling, who served as a lady-in-waiting to Empress Dowager Cixi of China. She describes court life, rituals, and the personalities of the imperial family, offering a rare insider's view. The narrative is detailed and observant, with a focus on daily events and interactions. The clear prose and engaging anecdotes make it accessible for English learners interested in history and culture.
Learn English with Two Years in the Forbidden City
- Suits learners around level B2: you read the original, not a simplified retelling.
- Who it suits: a long, demanding classic (B2), for confident readers, or for B1 to B2 readers with the translation on.
- 4,988 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 Two Years in the Forbidden City in English for free?
Yes. The first chapters of Two Years in the Forbidden City 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.
Is Two Years in the Forbidden City available in Russian?
Yes. On Booklern the English text of Two Years in the Forbidden City is shown with its Russian translation under every sentence, so you read the original and check the Russian whenever you need to.
Is Two Years in the Forbidden City available in Spanish?
Yes. On Booklern the English text of Two Years in the Forbidden City is shown with its Spanish translation under every sentence, so you read the original and check the Spanish whenever you need to.
Is Two Years in the Forbidden City available in Brazilian Portuguese?
Yes. On Booklern the English text of Two Years in the Forbidden City 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 Two Years in the Forbidden City available in Japanese?
Yes. On Booklern the English text of Two Years in the Forbidden City is shown with its Japanese translation under every sentence, so you read the original and check the Japanese whenever you need to.
Is Two Years in the Forbidden City available in Chinese?
Yes. On Booklern the English text of Two Years in the Forbidden City is shown with its Chinese translation under every sentence, so you read the original and check the Chinese whenever you need to.
Is Two Years in the Forbidden City available in Turkish?
Yes. On Booklern the English text of Two Years in the Forbidden City is shown with its Turkish translation under every sentence, so you read the original and check the Turkish whenever you need to.
Is Two Years in the Forbidden City available in Arabic?
Yes. On Booklern the English text of Two Years in the Forbidden City 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 Two Years in the Forbidden City 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.
