Free English ebook

Raffles: Further Adventures of the Amateur Cracksman

Written by Hornung, E. W. (Ernest William)

"Raffles: Further Adventures of the Amateur Cracksman" by E. W. Hornung is a short story collection published in 1901. This second installment follows gentleman thief A. J. Raffles and his companion Bunny Manders after their reputations are destroyed. Raffles is presumed drowned, while Bunny emerges from prison struggling to survive. Their unexpected reunion launches them back into crime, but now as hardened criminals rather than respectable gentlemen. Eight connected stories trace their adventures through Victorian London, Italy, and ultimately to the Second Boer War.

Level C1 pagesEnglish

No reads counted yet

Categories: British Literature Short Stories

Readers: Adults Teens

Suggested age: 13+ (AI estimate)

EPUB · Layout not assessedPDF · Fixed page layoutIllustrations: not assessed

Download EPUB · 354 KB Download PDF · 706 KB Open PDF

Report a download problem

Saved on this browser only.

No ratings yet

Rate this book

One rating per book on this browser. You can change or remove it.

About this book

Reading guidance

Level C1

Language difficulty is an AI estimate based on sampled text.

Reader and content guidance is an AI estimate based on the title, author, source summary, contents and selected excerpts. Unseen portions have not been assessed.

Recommended age: 13+ (AI estimate)
13+ for independent enjoyment: crime is glamourised through likeable thieves, with prison aftermath, alcohol and war deaths requiring some moral and historical maturity. Younger readers would likely need supported reading for Victorian society, irony and motives; this is separate from English difficulty. Based on named-book metadata and selected excerpts; unseen text was not assessed. This is guidance, not an official age rating; individual reading ability varies.

Source: Project Gutenberg · Public domain in the USA.

Report a file or book information problem Report a copyright concern about this book

More books to explore

Level C1 · pages · English

“I Say No”

Written by Collins, Wilkie

"I Say No" by Wilkie Collins is a novel written during the late 19th century. Set in a boarding school for young ladies, the story revolves around the dynamics of schoolgirl friendships and rivalries, particularly focusing on a new student named Francine de Sor, and her interactions with the other girls, including the spirited Emily Brown. The book engages with themes of social class, education, and the complexities of youth. The opening of the novel introduces readers to the setting of Miss Ladd's school, establishing an atmosphere of quietude interrupted by the nighttime antics of the students. As the midnight hour strikes, we witness a clandestine gathering in the girls' dormitory, where the students plan a smuggled supper. Through witty dialogues and varied personalities, we are introduced to the central figures: Emily, who asserts her leadership, and Francine, the insecure newcomer from the West Indies. The tension between their characters surfaces as they navigate misunderstandings and form tentative connections. Emily’s warmth contrasts with Francine’s defensiveness, setting the stage for further exploration of their relationship as the narrative unfolds.

EPUB · Layout not assessedPDF · Fixed page layoutIllustrations: not assessed

No ratings yet

Categories: British Literature Novels

Readers: Adults Teens

Suggested age: 14+ (AI estimate)

Explore book

Level C1 · pages · English

A Cathedral Courtship

Written by Wiggin, Kate Douglas Smith

"A Cathedral Courtship" by Kate Douglas Smith Wiggin is a charming novel written in the late 19th century. The book is a romantic narrative that unfolds the relationship between two main characters, Katharine Schuyler and Jack Copley, as they journey through the picturesque English cathedral towns. The story primarily explores themes of love, social conventions, and the contrasting perceptions of beauty and architecture in Victorian society. The narrative alternates between the perspectives of Katharine and Jack, providing a delightful look at their developing romance as they navigate their way through cathedrals and the complexities of their personalities. Katharine is accompanied by her overbearing Aunt Celia, while Jack, an architect, admires Katharine's beauty from a distance initially. Humorous incidents, such as Katharine's mistaken identity over her aunt’s belongings and Jack's awkward attempts to plan their encounters without alerting Aunt Celia, contribute to the lighthearted tone of the book. Their shared experiences at various cathedrals enhance their bond, reflecting Witiggin's exploration of the intersection of architecture and personal connection, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding and love between the two characters.

EPUB · Layout not assessedPDF · Fixed page layoutIllustrations: not assessed

No ratings yet

Categories: British Literature Novels Romance

Readers: Adults Family Teens

Suggested age: 12+ (AI estimate)

Explore book

Level C1 · pages · English

A Collection of Ballads

Written by Lang, Andrew

"A Collection of Ballads" by Andrew Lang is a comprehensive anthology of traditional ballads, edited with a scholarly introduction and notes, first published in the late 19th century. The collection includes a wide range of ballads that reflect historical themes, romantic tales, and folk traditions, showcasing the rich tapestry of narrative poetry from various cultures, particularly those of Scotland and England. The opening of the collection presents an introduction that discusses the history and evolution of ballads, exploring their origins as spontaneous poetic expressions among various cultures. It highlights the significance of these ballads as reflections of societal values, beliefs, and historical events. This preliminary section sets the stage for the subsequent ballads, which include tales of adventure, love, and tragedy, such as the story of Sir Patrick Spens and the Battle of Otterbourne, each rich in imagery and emotion, inviting readers into a world where history and myth intertwine.

EPUB · Layout not assessedPDF · Fixed page layoutIllustrations: not assessed

No ratings yet

Categories: British Literature Mythology, Legends & Folklore Poetry

Readers: Adults Teens

Suggested age: 13+ (AI estimate)

Explore book

Level C1 · pages · English

A Dream of John Ball; and, A King’s Lesson

Written by Morris, William

"A Dream of John Ball; and, A King's Lesson" by William Morris is a novel published in 1888. It tells the story of a time-traveller who meets the medieval rebel priest John Ball during the Great Revolt of 1381. Through their encounter, Morris contrasts the ethics of medieval and modern worlds, exploring why Ball's dreams of an egalitarian society remain unfulfilled centuries later. Unlike other depictions of the era, Morris portrays the Middle Ages as a golden period of prosperity and happiness.

EPUB · Layout not assessedPDF · Fixed page layoutIllustrations: not assessed

No ratings yet

Categories: British Literature Novels

Readers: Adults Teens

Suggested age: 14+ (AI estimate)

Explore book

Level C1 · pages · English

A Journal of the Plague Year Being Observations or Memorials of the Most Remarkable Occurrences, as Well Public as Private, Which Happened in London During the Last Great Visitation in 1665. Written by a Citizen Who Continued All the While in London

Written by Defoe, Daniel

"A Journal of the Plague Year" by Daniel Defoe is a book published in 1722. It recounts one man's experiences during the Great Plague of London in 1665, when bubonic plague devastated the city. Presented as an eyewitness account, the work blends research and imagination to create a detailed chronicle of streets, neighborhoods, and casualties. Its classification remains debated—some view it as authentic history, others as historical fiction, and many as something between both.

EPUB · Layout not assessedPDF · Fixed page layoutIllustrations: not assessed

No ratings yet

Categories: British Literature Classics

Readers: Adults Teens

Suggested age: 14+ (AI estimate)

Explore book

Level C1 · pages · English

A Legend of Montrose

Written by Scott, Walter

"A Legend of Montrose" by Walter Scott is a historical novel published in 1819. Set in 1640s Scotland during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, the story follows two soldiers in the Earl of Montrose's Royalist army who both love the same woman. When jealousy leads to violence, one man stabs his rival and vanishes. The novel also features Dugald Dalgetty, a memorable mercenary who fights not for politics but for pure love of battle, bringing both humor and adventure to this tale of war and romance.

EPUB · Layout not assessedPDF · Fixed page layoutIllustrations: not assessed

No ratings yet

Categories: British Literature Novels

Readers: Adults Teens

Suggested age: 13+ (AI estimate)

Explore book