Classics
Read Classics Classics in English
1,241 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 Émile Zola, Novelist and Reformer: An Account of His Life & Work, Æschylos Tragedies and Fragments and Âmona; The Child; And The Beast; And Others: From "The Strange Adventure of James Shervinton, and Other Stories" - 1902. 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.
- 1,241
- books
Level B2ClassicsZulaA spirited young girl caught stealing silver spoons faces harsh punishment, but a compassionate witness questions what drives her to crime.
Level B2ClassicsZoe; Or, Some Day: A NovelIn the sultry heat of an August afternoon, spirited Zoe dreams of fame and greatness while awaiting an elusive visitor.
Level B2ClassicsZoeIn a quaint village, a mysterious baby with an unusual name and striking features stirs curiosity and challenges tradition, weaving a heartfelt story of family, identity, and unexp…
Level B2ClassicsYou Should Worry Says John HenryTwo friends plan to revolutionize their small community by mastering the scandalous Tango with just two lessons, but their secret endeavor soon faces unexpected scrutiny from suspi…
Level B2ClassicsYou Can Search MeTwo friends face the daunting challenge of financing a wedding amid financial setbacks, turning to a mysterious illusionist whose dazzling tricks might be their last hope to secure…
Level B2ClassicsYorksher Puddin': A Collection of the Most Popular Dialect Stories from the Pen of John HartleyTwo children brave icy winds and slippery streets to reach the factory on time, their struggle revealing the harsh realities of life in a bleak Yorkshire cottage during a bitter De…
Level B2ClassicsYellow gentians and blueIn the quiet Caledonia hills, the mysterious Obald Bronson guards a secret chest that sparks curiosity, suspicion, and wild rumors among his neighbors.
Level B2ClassicsWriting the PhotoplayDiscover the art of crafting compelling stories told through pantomime and action, where characters convey emotion and plot without spoken words—perfect for the silent film era.
Level B2ClassicsWrecked in Port: A NovelAs the revered headmaster lies gravely ill, the school faces upheaval and uncertainty, stirring rivalry and hidden hopes among his pupils.
Level B2ClassicsWorrying Won't WinTwo Jewish businessmen navigate the absurdities of war, family ties, and shifting fortunes, blending humor and sharp wit in a world where even czars face bankruptcy and betrayal.
Level B2ClassicsWork: A Story of ExperienceDetermined to escape her dull town and unappreciative uncle, young Christie decides to leave home and carve out her own path in the world, seeking independence and a place where sh…
Level B2ClassicsWords for the WiseExplore the struggles of honesty, debt, and human compassion as a merchant reflects on a tailor’s heartfelt effort to repay a long-forgotten loan, challenging notions of interest a…
Level B2ClassicsWomen for votesIn early 20th-century New York, a spirited woman navigates family drama and societal expectations while attending suffrage meetings, revealing the complex ties between inheritance,…
Level B2ClassicsWives and Widows; or, The Broken LifeAt ten, a young girl faces the heartbreak of losing her mother and leaving her childhood home, clinging to the broken remnants of her past amid strangers' indifference.
Level B2ClassicsWitty Pieces by Witty People: A collection of the funniest sayings, best jokes, laughable anecdotes, mirthful stories, etc., extantA husband insists on hosting a progressive euchre party, confident he can gather a crowd despite repeated last-minute cancellations and excuses.
Level B2ClassicsWinsome Winnie and other New Nonsense NovelsThrown into the world penniless and alone, Winnifred faces dark secrets about her birth and the loss of her inheritance.
Level B2ClassicsWinner Take AllStruggling with lost dreams and harsh realities, a young cowboy named Blue Jeans faces sudden poverty and uncertain prospects in a dusty, unforgiving town.
Level B2ClassicsWindy McPherson's SonIn a small Iowa town, thirteen-year-old Sam McPherson navigates the rhythms of Main Street with a sharp mind and a playful spirit, caught between the world's simple routines and th…
Level B2ClassicsWilt Thou TorchyA sharp-witted private secretary navigates the quirks of high society, theatrical outings, and unexpected reunions, all while keeping a keen eye on the amusing dramas unfolding aro…
Level B2ClassicsWilliam Adolphus TurnpikeIn a bustling city hall where immigrant communities clash and alliances form, a young boy and his father navigate the fiery world of politics, prejudice, and cultural pride at a he…
Level B2ClassicsWilhelmina in LondonWilhelmina faces the harsh realities of life after her father's reckless schemes leave them nearly bankrupt and him deceased.
Level B2ClassicsWild Animals at HomeExplore the secret lives of wild animals in their natural habitats, from the cunning coyote to the abundant wildlife of Yellowstone Park, revealing their behaviors and the delicate…
Level B2ClassicsWhosoever Shall OffendA young stepfather navigates a delicate family dynamic with his wealthy, older wife and her fragile son, while society’s gossip and hidden motives swirl around their lives.
Level B2ClassicsWhite Motley: A NovelIn a village ruled by gossip and horse racing, the troubled marriage of Sir Luton Delayne and his gentle wife unravels amid scandal, loss, and mysterious disappearance—setting the…
Level B2ClassicsWhite Dandy; or, Master and I: A Horse's StoryA loyal horse named Dandy shares a deep bond with his aging master, Dr.
Level B2ClassicsWhere Stillwater Runs DeepIn the rugged Yellowstone National Forest, an Irish West Point graduate arrives as a new ranger ready to bring order to a land tangled in disputes between cowmen, timbermen, and se…
Level B2ClassicsWhere Love is There God is AlsoA grieving shoemaker's despair leads him to a profound spiritual awakening as he discovers how to live for God through simple acts of love and faith.
Level B2ClassicsWhen I was your ageFive siblings navigate childhood with imagination and heart, led by eldest Julia, whose poetic spirit and storytelling turn everyday moments into unforgettable adventures and drama…
Level B2ClassicsWhat's your hurry? A deck full of jokersStep into a lively metropolis where a witty narrator shares quirky tales—from a doctor trapped in his own asylum to a struggling artist’s studio and the high-stakes world of Monte…
Level B2ClassicsWhat Will He Do with It? — CompleteAt a lively Surrey summer fair filled with peculiar attractions and spirited crowds, two young strangers navigate rustic wit and rural amusements, their vibrant presence promising…
Level B2ClassicsWhat Men Live By, and Other TalesA struggling shoemaker discovers a mysterious naked man by the roadside and must confront his fears and compassion to help this stranger survive the harsh winter.
Level B2ClassicsWehman Bros.' Vaudeville Jokes No. 1.Step into a lively collection of vaudeville jokes where wordplay meets everyday mishaps, from clever puns about tradesmen and lovers to witty exchanges that entertain with sharp hu…
Level B2ClassicsWehman Bros.' Irish Yarns Wit and Humor, No. 2Step into a lively collection of Irish wit and humor, where clever tales and sharp banter bring to life the spirited characters navigating judgment day, landlord disputes, and ever…
Level B2ClassicsWee Johnnie Paterson, & other humorous sketchesA lively collection of humorous Scottish sketches unfolds through the rambling, endearing tales of Mrs.
Level B2ClassicsWe ThreeCaught in a tangled web of love and longing, three lives intertwine across grand resorts and distant shores, where chance encounters and hidden desires challenge their promises and…
Level B2ClassicsWe Girls: a Home StoryIn a charming country town, the Holabird family uproots their large, solid house to a hillside called Westover, where new beginnings and family dynamics unfold amid changing landsc…
Level B2ClassicsWayfaring Men: A NovelLeft an orphan and facing an uncertain future, young Ralph Denmead is taken to his guardian’s care, leaving behind the warmth of trusted friends and a beloved countryside.
Level B2ClassicsWalt Whitman in Mickle StreetStep inside the intimate world of Walt Whitman’s final years in his modest Mickle Street home, as seen through the eyes of the devoted nurse who cared for him and his steadfast hou…
Level B2ClassicsWalda: A NovelA stranger arrives at Zanah, a secluded religious commune where equality reigns and outsiders are viewed with suspicion.
Level B2ClassicsVotes for Women: A Play in Three ActsIn a single summer day, political tensions and social ambitions collide as Lady John Wynnstay navigates family secrets, election intrigues, and the rising movement for women's suff…
Level B2ClassicsVictoriaA miller’s son dreams of adventure and love as he ferries the privileged children of the nearby Castle to a mysterious island, where nature’s secrets and youthful hopes intertwine…
Level B2ClassicsVictor Ollnee's DisciplineA college baseball star confronts a shocking article accusing his mother, a mysterious medium, of fraud and deception.
Level B2ClassicsVeraAfter her father’s sudden death, Lucy stands detached and silent, confronting a world that feels unbearably still.
Level B2ClassicsVandyke Brown: A Farce in One ActIn a lively London lodging, misunderstandings and sharp wit ignite as Mrs.
Level B2ClassicsVandemark's FollyAn aging pioneer battles cunning swindlers while determined to preserve the true history of Vandemark Township, Iowa, capturing the struggles and spirit of early settlers through c…
Level B2ClassicsVan Bibber and OthersAmid the chaotic backstage world of a comic opera’s opening night, a mysterious visitor with a sharp eye and quiet influence moves through the drama, offering insight and calm to a…
Level B2ClassicsUpsidoniaA lone traveler discovers a hidden cave system promising mystery and adventure, but a sudden collapse traps him underground, leading to an unexpected encounter in a strange, seclud…
Level B2ClassicsUp the Hill and OverA weary traveler pauses on a sun-soaked hill, engaging a reluctant boy by a cool pool in a curious exchange about journeys and distances.