Learn English through classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Island Nights' Entertainments
Island Nights' Entertainments

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Island Nights' Entertainments is here in full — 251 sentences across 51 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Chapter 1 of Island Nights' Entertainments by Robert Louis Stevenson holds 251 sentences, grouped into 51 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 1 of Island Nights' Entertainments contain?

Chapter 1 holds 251 sentences of Island Nights' Entertainments, unabridged, divided into 51 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Island Nights' Entertainments by Robert Louis Stevenson exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 251 sentences, grouped into 51 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 1 of Island Nights' Entertainments?

Work through the 51 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 51 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading Island Nights' Entertainments

Common questions about reading Island Nights' Entertainments by Robert Louis Stevenson on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Island Nights' Entertainments?

Yes. All 2658 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #329 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Island Nights' Entertainments is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #329, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Island Nights' Entertainments take to read?

About 221 minutes of reading across 532 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Island Nights' Entertainments section by section

How to work through Island Nights' Entertainments section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 5 chapters of Island Nights' Entertainments to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in Island Nights' Entertainments

Words and structures a reader meets early in Island Nights' Entertainments, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

South
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Island Nights' Entertainments; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Bridal
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Island Nights' Entertainments; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Island
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Island Nights' Entertainments; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
First
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Island Nights' Entertainments; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Cover illustration for Island Nights' Entertainments
Context Illustration Reading 1/51 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A SOUTH SEA BRIDAL.
I saw that island first when it was neither night nor morning.
The moon was to the west, setting, but still broad and bright.
To the east, and right amidships of the dawn, which was all pink, the daystar sparkled like a diamond.
The land breeze blew in our faces, and smelt strong of wild lime and vanilla: other things besides, but these were the most plain; and the chill of it set me sneezing.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Island Nights' Entertainments

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Island Nights' Entertainments is here in full — 251 sentences across 51 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/51 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A SOUTH SEA BRIDAL.
Line 2
I saw that island first when it was neither night nor morning.
Line 3
The moon was to the west, setting, but still broad and bright.
Line 4
To the east, and right amidships of the dawn, which was all pink, the daystar sparkled like a diamond.
Line 5
The land breeze blew in our faces, and smelt strong of wild lime and vanilla: other things besides, but these were the most plain; and the chill of it set me sneezing.
All words in this reading · 60

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

A

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A SOUTH SEA BRIDAL.

all

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To the east, and right amidships of the dawn, which was all pink, the daystar sparkled like a diamond.

amidships

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To the east, and right amidships of the dawn, which was all pink, the daystar sparkled like a diamond.

and

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The moon was to the west, setting, but still broad and bright.

besides

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The land breeze blew in our faces, and smelt strong of wild lime and vanilla: other things besides, but these were the most plain; and the chill of it set me sneezing.

blew

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The land breeze blew in our faces, and smelt strong of wild lime and vanilla: other things besides, but these were the most plain; and the chill of it set me sneezing.

breeze

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The land breeze blew in our faces, and smelt strong of wild lime and vanilla: other things besides, but these were the most plain; and the chill of it set me sneezing.

BRIDAL

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A SOUTH SEA BRIDAL.

bright

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The moon was to the west, setting, but still broad and bright.

broad

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The moon was to the west, setting, but still broad and bright.

but

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The moon was to the west, setting, but still broad and bright.

chill

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The land breeze blew in our faces, and smelt strong of wild lime and vanilla: other things besides, but these were the most plain; and the chill of it set me sneezing.

dawn

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To the east, and right amidships of the dawn, which was all pink, the daystar sparkled like a diamond.

daystar

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To the east, and right amidships of the dawn, which was all pink, the daystar sparkled like a diamond.

diamond

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To the east, and right amidships of the dawn, which was all pink, the daystar sparkled like a diamond.

east

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To the east, and right amidships of the dawn, which was all pink, the daystar sparkled like a diamond.

faces

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The land breeze blew in our faces, and smelt strong of wild lime and vanilla: other things besides, but these were the most plain; and the chill of it set me sneezing.

first

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I saw that island first when it was neither night nor morning.

I

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I saw that island first when it was neither night nor morning.

in

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The land breeze blew in our faces, and smelt strong of wild lime and vanilla: other things besides, but these were the most plain; and the chill of it set me sneezing.

island

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I saw that island first when it was neither night nor morning.

it

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I saw that island first when it was neither night nor morning.

land

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The land breeze blew in our faces, and smelt strong of wild lime and vanilla: other things besides, but these were the most plain; and the chill of it set me sneezing.

like

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To the east, and right amidships of the dawn, which was all pink, the daystar sparkled like a diamond.

lime

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The land breeze blew in our faces, and smelt strong of wild lime and vanilla: other things besides, but these were the most plain; and the chill of it set me sneezing.

me

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The land breeze blew in our faces, and smelt strong of wild lime and vanilla: other things besides, but these were the most plain; and the chill of it set me sneezing.

moon

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The moon was to the west, setting, but still broad and bright.

morning

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I saw that island first when it was neither night nor morning.

most

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The land breeze blew in our faces, and smelt strong of wild lime and vanilla: other things besides, but these were the most plain; and the chill of it set me sneezing.

neither

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I saw that island first when it was neither night nor morning.

night

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I saw that island first when it was neither night nor morning.

nor

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I saw that island first when it was neither night nor morning.

of

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To the east, and right amidships of the dawn, which was all pink, the daystar sparkled like a diamond.

other

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The land breeze blew in our faces, and smelt strong of wild lime and vanilla: other things besides, but these were the most plain; and the chill of it set me sneezing.

our

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The land breeze blew in our faces, and smelt strong of wild lime and vanilla: other things besides, but these were the most plain; and the chill of it set me sneezing.

pink

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To the east, and right amidships of the dawn, which was all pink, the daystar sparkled like a diamond.

plain

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The land breeze blew in our faces, and smelt strong of wild lime and vanilla: other things besides, but these were the most plain; and the chill of it set me sneezing.

right

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To the east, and right amidships of the dawn, which was all pink, the daystar sparkled like a diamond.

saw

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I saw that island first when it was neither night nor morning.

SEA

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A SOUTH SEA BRIDAL.

set

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The land breeze blew in our faces, and smelt strong of wild lime and vanilla: other things besides, but these were the most plain; and the chill of it set me sneezing.

setting

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The moon was to the west, setting, but still broad and bright.

smelt

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The land breeze blew in our faces, and smelt strong of wild lime and vanilla: other things besides, but these were the most plain; and the chill of it set me sneezing.

sneezing

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The land breeze blew in our faces, and smelt strong of wild lime and vanilla: other things besides, but these were the most plain; and the chill of it set me sneezing.

SOUTH

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A SOUTH SEA BRIDAL.

sparkled

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To the east, and right amidships of the dawn, which was all pink, the daystar sparkled like a diamond.

still

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The moon was to the west, setting, but still broad and bright.

strong

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The land breeze blew in our faces, and smelt strong of wild lime and vanilla: other things besides, but these were the most plain; and the chill of it set me sneezing.

that

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I saw that island first when it was neither night nor morning.

The

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The moon was to the west, setting, but still broad and bright.

these

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The land breeze blew in our faces, and smelt strong of wild lime and vanilla: other things besides, but these were the most plain; and the chill of it set me sneezing.

things

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The land breeze blew in our faces, and smelt strong of wild lime and vanilla: other things besides, but these were the most plain; and the chill of it set me sneezing.

to

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The moon was to the west, setting, but still broad and bright.

vanilla

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The land breeze blew in our faces, and smelt strong of wild lime and vanilla: other things besides, but these were the most plain; and the chill of it set me sneezing.

was

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I saw that island first when it was neither night nor morning.

were

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The land breeze blew in our faces, and smelt strong of wild lime and vanilla: other things besides, but these were the most plain; and the chill of it set me sneezing.

west

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The moon was to the west, setting, but still broad and bright.

when

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I saw that island first when it was neither night nor morning.

which

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To the east, and right amidships of the dawn, which was all pink, the daystar sparkled like a diamond.

wild

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The land breeze blew in our faces, and smelt strong of wild lime and vanilla: other things besides, but these were the most plain; and the chill of it set me sneezing.