The Yellow Crayon

The Yellow Crayon

E. Phillips (Edward Phillips) Oppenheim (1866-1946)

Approximate level
B1
Length
76,818 words
Reading time
6 h 24 min
Chapters
42
Language
English
On Project Gutenberg since
1999

This mystery novel follows a nobleman who suddenly decides to travel to New York. Written in the early twentieth century, the book features formal language and descriptive prose. You will encounter vocabulary related to high society and domestic service. The sentences are often long and contain many descriptive clauses, which may be challenging for learners. The story focuses on themes of duty, secrets, and international travel. It is a steady read that requires patience to follow the detailed narrative style.

60,463 downloads on Project Gutenberg

Subjects

  • Fiction
  • Detective and mystery stories

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.

How does reading with a translation work?

Lingo7 shows the original sentence and, right under it, the same sentence in your language. Tap a word to see what it means, hear it, and save it for practice. The translation is made while you read, so it works for any book and for 49 languages.

How long does it take to read?

About 6 h 24 min at a native pace, spread over 42 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.