Rudyard Kipling
Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) was an English author and poet, one of the most popular writers of the late Victorian and Edwardian age and, in 1907, the first English-language writer to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. Born in India, he drew on that world for some of the most beloved stories in the language.
His best-known works include The Jungle Book, with the man-cub Mowgli raised by wolves; the novel Kim, a rich portrait of India; the Just So Stories, playful tales of how the world came to be; and famous poems such as 'If—' and 'Gunga Din.' His gift for storytelling and memorable verse made him a household name.
Kipling's work is inseparable from the British Empire, which he both celebrated and, at times, questioned. Modern readers engage with him aware of those imperial attitudes, while still valuing his craft and his unforgettable stories for children and adults alike.
His prose and verse are vivid and readable, and our editions present them clearly. Read the opening free, and read or listen with a membership.
Rudyard Kipling in the library · 4 works
Just So Stories
The Jungle Book
The Man Who Would Be King
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Audiobooks by Rudyard Kipling
Every Rudyard Kipling title in the library is also a complete, professionally produced audiobook — 4 audiobooks in total. Members listen free on any device. Browse the audiobook library →
Frequently asked questions about Rudyard Kipling
What did Rudyard Kipling write?
Kipling wrote fiction and poetry for both children and adults. His most famous works are The Jungle Book, the novel Kim, the Just So Stories, and Puck of Pook's Hill, along with poems such as 'If—,' 'Gunga Din,' and 'Mandalay.' He also wrote many acclaimed short stories. The Jungle Book is his best-loved work worldwide.
Where should I start with Kipling?
The Jungle Book and the Just So Stories are the ideal starting points, especially for their timeless appeal to readers of all ages. For his adult fiction, the novel Kim is his richest achievement. His famous poem 'If—' is a short, memorable introduction to his verse.
Is The Jungle Book the same as the Disney film?
The Disney films are loosely based on Kipling's stories but change a great deal. The original Jungle Book is a collection of tales, darker and more varied than the cartoon, including several that have nothing to do with Mowgli. Reading the original reveals the depth and range of Kipling's imagined world of the Indian jungle.
What is the poem 'If—' about?
'If—' is one of the most famous poems in English, written as a father's advice to his son. In a series of conditions — keeping calm under pressure, treating triumph and disaster alike, persevering — it describes the qualities of a mature, self-possessed person. Its closing lines have been quoted and displayed around the world for over a century.
Are Kipling's works hard to read?
His storytelling is clear and engaging, and his children's books are very accessible. Some of his adult work uses period slang, dialect, and references to colonial India that can be unfamiliar. A clear modern edition helps with those elements while preserving the vividness of his writing.
When did Rudyard Kipling live?
Kipling was born in 1865 in Bombay (Mumbai) and died in 1936. He wrote his most famous works around the turn of the 20th century and won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1907. His life spanned the height of the British Empire, which shaped much of his work.
Where can I read Kipling for free?
Kipling's works are in the public domain and freely available. Older editions keep his original text. Here you can read the openings free in clear modern English, and read or listen with a membership.
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