The House on the Borderland

The House on the Borderland

William Hope Hodgson (1877-1918)

Approximate level
B1
Length
51,594 words
Reading time
4 h 18 min
Chapters
33
Language
English
On Project Gutenberg since
2003

This novel follows a mysterious manuscript found in the ruins of an Irish house. Written in the early twentieth century, the prose features archaic vocabulary and descriptive, atmospheric language. The sentences are often long and complex, reflecting the gothic tone of the era. You will encounter themes of cosmic horror and isolation. The writing style is demanding because it uses formal structures and dense imagery, which may challenge your reading pace. It is a significant work for those interested in early science fiction.

58,250 downloads on Project Gutenberg

Subjects

  • Science fiction

Questions about this book

What level of English do I need for this book?

The estimate is B1, based on how common the words are and how long the sentences run. It is an approximation, not a test result. With a translation under every sentence you can start one level earlier than you would with a paper copy.

Is this book really free?

Yes. The text is in the public domain and comes from Project Gutenberg, so it costs nothing. In Lingo7 you open the book and read the first page for free; a subscription unlocks the whole library, the audio and the word practice.

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How long does it take to read?

About 4 h 18 min at a native pace, spread over 33 chapters. In a foreign language plan for more: half an hour a day finishes a book of this size in a few weeks.

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Text from Project Gutenberg, public domain.