Classics
Read Classics Classics in English
3,347 classics books at CEFR A2 to C2 — learn English by reading the stories worth reading. Select any word for an instant translation, listen to the narration read the page aloud, and save the vocabulary you meet. Pick your level and start with a free sample.
What are the best classics classics to read in English as a learner?
The best classics classics for English learners are the well-known titles you can read in the original — start with The Boy in the Bush, The Boy Grew Older and The Bostonians, Vol. II (of II). Each one is labelled with a CEFR level, any word you do not know is one selection away from a translation, and the narration reads the page aloud while it highlights the words.
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- books
Level C1ClassicsThe Bostonians, Vol. II (of II)In a modest Cambridge home, a chance visit unfolds between Basil Ransom and the radiant Verena Tarrant, whose youthful charm and newfound success captivate him amid social tensions…
Level C1ClassicsThe Bostonians, Vol. I (of II)In post-Civil War Boston, a proud Southern gentleman encounters Olive Chancellor, a fiercely honest and radical woman whose fierce ideals challenge his traditional views—sparking a…
Level C1ClassicsThe Boston Dip: A Comedy, in One ActIn a lively drawing room, a spirited mother vows to master the latest dance craze, The Boston Dip, defying her age and social expectations, while her daughters navigate flirtations…
Level C1ClassicsThe Boss of Little ArcadyIn the quirky town of Little Arcady, the enigmatic "Upright" Potts stumbles into unexpected trouble, sparking rumors and stirring the community.
Level C1ClassicsThe Bores: A Comedy in Three ActsA rapid-fire series of characters embody the many forms of boredom, each delivering sharp monologues that reveal the tediousness lurking beneath courtly life.
Level C1ClassicsThe Booming of Acre Hill, and Other Reminiscences of Urban and Suburban LifeAs Acre Hill transforms from untouched forest to bustling suburb, a determined land company battles the challenges of development, balancing nature's loss with progress and the que…![Cover of The Book-Lovers' Anthology by R. M. [Editor] Leonard](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daf2u18e1ofc73dhav0g.webp)
Level C1ClassicsThe Book-Lovers' AnthologyDive into a rich collection of reflections and tributes celebrating books as treasured companions, exploring their timeless allure, diverse forms, and profound impact on readers ac…
Level C1ClassicsThe Book of This and ThatExplore the destructive nature of suspicion, a relentless beast twisting truth into paranoia and mistrust, from private lives to public affairs.
Level C1ClassicsThe Book of Susan: A NovelIn an early 20th-century town, a skilled mechanic with a turbulent past navigates a scandalous domestic life, while his young daughter Susan brings unexpected moments of innocence…
Level C1ClassicsThe Book of SnobsExplore the curious world of snobbery, where social pretensions and class obsessions reveal the quirks of human nature across every walk of life.
Level C1ClassicsThe Book of MonthsImmerse yourself in the vibrant, foggy streets of London where every corner reveals human stories filled with humor, reflection, and unexpected drama.
Level C1ClassicsThe Book of ChristmasCelebrate the enduring spirit of Christmas through heartfelt carols, timeless traditions, and stories that revive joy and warmth even in a world grown cynical and busy.
Level C1ClassicsThe Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun;: containing a collection of over one thousand of the most: laughable sayings and jokes of celebrated wits and: humorists.Dive into a treasury of over a thousand witty anecdotes and jokes, carefully chosen to spark genuine laughter while respecting good taste and manners.
Level C1ClassicsThe BlundererA clever servant, Mascarille, navigates a series of comedic mishaps with wit and inventiveness, exposing the follies of his master and the quirks of human nature in a lively, spiri…
Level C1ClassicsThe Blue FlowerA boy’s restless heart is captured by the longing for a mysterious Blue Flower, symbolizing the elusive quest for true happiness.
Level C1ClassicsThe Blue DuchessAn indecisive artist reflects on his unfulfilled ambitions and complex love life while recounting a real-life adventure that skirts tragedy and irony, blending art, passion, and fa…
Level C1ClassicsThe Blue Bird: A Fairy Play in Six ActsTwo children awaken on the eve of Christmas to embark on a magical quest for the elusive Blue Bird of Happiness, guided by a fairy through enchanted realms where dreams, memories,…
Level C1ClassicsThe Blossoming RodA man contemplates buying a cherished trout-rod as a rare Christmas gift to himself, wrestling with financial limits and family responsibilities, while his home buzzes with festive…
Level C1ClassicsThe Blood Red DawnIn a San Francisco church, an impassioned foreign speaker ignites a quiet young woman’s curiosity amidst a crowd indifferent to a distant war’s call.
Level C1ClassicsThe Blithedale RomanceA poet journeys to the experimental community of Blithedale, where mysterious figures like the Veiled Lady and the enigmatic Zenobia weave a complex tale of idealism, secrets, and…
Level C1ClassicsThe Blind MusicianA blind musician, gifted and refined, navigates life’s challenges with remarkable insight into the inner world of those without sight, revealing their struggles and triumphs throug…
Level C1ClassicsThe Blind Mother, and The Last ConfessionIn a serene valley, a blind mother tenderly connects with her infant son, whose first encounters with the world around him stir hope and quiet longing.
Level C1ClassicsThe Black Poodle, and Other TalesA man recounts the most embarrassing episode of his life involving a menacing black poodle and his awkward attempts to win favor with new neighbors in a quiet country villa.
Level C1ClassicsThe Black Monk, and Other StoriesExplore the quiet desperation and subtle ironies of Russian life through sharply observed tales of misunderstood intellects, social repression, and the unprofitable struggles of ex…
Level C1ClassicsThe Black Lion InnA struggling man seeking refuge from alcohol stumbles upon the mysterious Black Lion Inn, where a captivating physician offers hope and a chance to reclaim his life from the grip o…
Level C1ClassicsThe Black DiamondBorn into a coal mining family on the edge of a grim industrial town, young Abner navigates a world split between the pit and the pub, where football offers a fleeting escape from…
Level C1ClassicsThe Black Cat: A Play in Three ActsA provocative exploration of modern relationships and societal expectations unfolds in a play where comedy masks a tragic fate, challenging the boundaries of morality and the roles…
Level C1ClassicsThe Black Baronet; or, The Chronicles Of Ballytrain: The Works of William Carleton, Volume OneA mysterious stranger weaves through the lives of the Gourlay and Cullamore families, sparking secrets, deceit, and dramatic confrontations in an Irish town shadowed by intrigue an…
Level C1ClassicsThe Bishop of Cottontown: A Story of the Southern Cotton MillsAmid the vibrant cotton fields of the Tennessee Valley in 1874, the story unfolds with the rich symbolism of the cotton plant—nature’s delicate yet powerful artisan weaving the fab…
Level C1ClassicsThe Bishop and Other StoriesIn a quiet monastery on the eve of Palm Sunday, a weary bishop is haunted by memories and an unexpected visit from his long-absent mother.
Level C1ClassicsThe BirthplaceA weary couple in a dreary town receive an unexpected offer to oversee the birthplace of a great poet, thrusting them from their confined lives into the heart of a sacred literary…
Level C1ClassicsThe BirdsTwo Athenians, fed up with their city's endless quarrels, seek refuge with the birds to build a utopian city in the sky, challenging the gods themselves in a whimsical battle of wi…
Level C1ClassicsThe Bird in the BoxA majestic new ship, the Merida, awaits its launch amid the bustling shipyard, while a young girl prepares to christen the vessel—her presence igniting anticipation as this monumen…
Level C1ClassicsThe Biography of a Prairie GirlAmid a fierce prairie blizzard, a family hunkers down in their snow-buried farmhouse, awaiting the arrival of a long-absent husband and father whose journey through the storm tests…
Level C1ClassicsThe BigamistA man haunted by a secret past cherishes the love of his devoted young wife, yet an unspoken worry shadows their tranquil life.
Level C1ClassicsThe Bickerstaff-Partridge PapersA sharp critique of astrology exposes the folly of almanac-makers while promising a new, rational approach to predictions.
Level C1ClassicsThe Bibliotaph, and Other PeopleDive into the passionate world of bibliophiles where collecting rare books becomes an art of obsession, humor, and devotion.
Level C1ClassicsThe Beth Book: Being a Study of the Life of Elizabeth Caldwell Maclure, a Woman of GeniusIn a world where women accept their lot without question, one delicate mother’s quiet suffering and unfulfilled dreams set the stage for a remarkable life.
Level C1ClassicsThe Best of the World's Classics, Vol. V (of X) - Great Britain and Ireland IIIDive into the vibrant world of 18th-century Britain through the eyes of a young Scottish lawyer determined to befriend the formidable Dr.
Level C1ClassicsThe Best of the World's Classics, Restricted to prose. Volume III (of X) - Great Britain and Ireland IExplore the timeless wisdom and knowledge preserved in books, where truth shines brighter than gold and rulers and scholars alike find guidance.
Level C1ClassicsThe Best of the World's Classics, Restricted to Prose, Vol. VIII (of X) - Continental Europe II.Explore the tension between majority rule and individual rights as power concentrates in democratic societies, questioning whether freedom can survive when the majority’s will beco…
Level C1ClassicsThe Best of the World's Classics, Restricted to Prose, Vol. VI (of X)—Great Britain and Ireland IVExplore the early years of a transformative religious movement through the reflections of a devoted scholar at Oxford, as he navigates friendships, faith, and the stirring beginnin…
Level C1ClassicsThe Best of the World's Classics, Restricted to Prose, Vol. IX (of X) - America - IEncounter the vivid and perilous early days of America’s first English settlements through the dramatic story of John Smith and Pocahontas, revealing alliances, betrayals, and the…
Level C1ClassicsThe Best of the World's Classics, Restricted to Prose, Vol. IV (of X)—Great Britain and Ireland IIDive into a rich collection of prose that captures the wit and social nuances of Britain and Ireland from 1672 to 1800, exploring themes of friendship, flattery, and human nature t…
Level C1ClassicsThe Best Letters of Charles LambDive into the intimate world of a beloved literary circle, where wit, friendship, and lively debates unfold over hearty meals and late-night gatherings.
Level C1ClassicsThe Best American Humorous Short StoriesDive into a curated collection of American short stories that blend sharp wit with literary craft, capturing humor’s broad spectrum from frontier satire to playful exaggeration.
Level C1ClassicsThe Berkeleys and their neighborsIn post-Civil War Virginia, the Campdown race-course becomes a stage for a community clinging to old traditions and fading grandeur, where hope and hardship intertwine in a world s…
Level C1ClassicsThe Benefit of the Doubt; a Comedy in Three ActsIn a sunlit drawing-room near Regent’s Park, the suspense of a high-stakes divorce case grips a fashionable family, as they await a verdict that could clear a young woman’s name an…