Classics
Read Classics Classics in English
139 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 Masterfolk, The Master; a Novel and The Master-Knot of Human Fate. 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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![Cover of The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Translated into English Prose: Vana Parva, Part 1 by Kisari Mohan [Translator] Ganguli](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daembnge1ofc73dh70s0.webp)
Level C2ClassicsThe Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Translated into English Prose: Vana Parva, Part 1Exiled to the forest after a deceitful defeat, noble warriors and their devoted princess face hardship and sorrow while loyal subjects grapple with loyalty, virtue, and survival am…
Level C2ClassicsThe London-Bawd: With Her Character and Life: Discovering the Various and Subtle Intrigues of Lewd WomenDelve into the shadowy world of a cunning bawd who, once a fiery temptress, now orchestrates the desires of others with ruthless expertise, turning innocence into temptation and we…
Level C2ClassicsThe Life of Samuel Taylor Coleridge: 1838Born the youngest of ten siblings and orphaned by seven, a frail boy finds refuge in books and imagination amid harsh schooling and loneliness, revealing the early struggles that s…
Level C2ClassicsThe Life of Man: A Play in Five ActsIn a shadowy, timeless space, witness the entire human life unfold—from joyous youth through the trials of adulthood to the quiet fading of old age—illuminated by a flickering cand…
Level C2ClassicsThe Letters of Robert Louis Stevenson — Volume 1Explore the intimate correspondence revealing the journeys, thoughts, and relationships of a literary figure from student days in Edinburgh to travels across Europe and America.
Level C2ClassicsThe Letters of Robert BurnsExplore the intimate correspondence revealing the personal thoughts, relationships, and reflections of a celebrated poet, offering a vivid glimpse into his world through letters to…
Level C2ClassicsThe Laws of Candy: Beaumont & Fletcher's Works (3 of 10)Amidst political intrigue and shifting alliances, senators, soldiers, and noble figures navigate the complex laws of Candy.
Level C2ClassicsThe LakeA man returns to his native land, awakening buried memories and the melancholy beauty of a landscape steeped in history and quiet sorrow.
Level C2ClassicsThe Lady of Pleasure: A Comedie, as It Was Acted by Her Majesties Servants, at the Private House in Drury LaneA noble lady, restless in the quiet countryside, demands the pleasures of London life, sparking tension with her husband who struggles to balance pride, honor, and their mounting e…
Level C2ClassicsThe Kathá Sarit Ságara; or, Ocean of the Streams of StoryHigh on Mount Kailasa, the divine couple Śiva and Párvatí share a moment of intimacy where Śiva begins to captivate her with enchanting stories, setting the stage for a vast collec…
Level C2ClassicsThe Jew of MaltaIn a world ruled by power and greed, a wealthy Jew in Malta maneuvers through intrigue and betrayal with cunning Machiavellian schemes.
Level C2ClassicsThe Jacket (The Star-Rover)A man condemned to life imprisonment reveals his haunting ability to transcend time and inhabit his past lives, grappling with a fiery wrath that has doomed him across centuries.
Level C2ClassicsThe Hubble-ShueStep into a world where mystery and poetic drama intertwine, as a bewildering play unfolds with enigmatic characters and haunting scenes, leaving you to unravel the obscure motives…
Level C2ClassicsThe FlameA feverish passion ignites amid the shadowy canals of Italy, where sudden discoveries illuminate the dark recesses of the human spirit.
Level C2ClassicsThe Fatal DowryA gripping tragedy unfolds amid the shadows of a deadly dowry, where secrets and betrayals threaten to unravel lives bound by fate and fortune.
Level C2ClassicsThe Faithful Shepherdess: The Works of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher (Volume 2 of 10).A devoted shepherdess mourns her lost love and vows to embrace a life of chastity and healing, wielding the secret virtues of herbs while navigating encounters with mystical woodla…
Level C2ClassicsThe Fables of Phædrus: Literally translated into English prose with notesTimeless fables featuring cunning animals and clever humans reveal lessons about power, folly, and justice through sharp, entertaining tales that challenge human behavior and socie…
Level C2ClassicsThe Esperantist, Vol. 2, No. 3Dive into the mysterious "Chapel of Bones" in Malta, where human remains form haunting, intricate mosaics blending beauty and mortality, and explore the vibrant world of Esperanto’…
Level C2ClassicsThe Esperantist, Vol. 2, No. 2Dive into the vibrant world of Esperanto advocacy and historical drama, featuring gripping tales like Henry Tudor’s bold entry into Shrewsbury.
Level C2ClassicsThe Esperantist, Vol. 1, No. 14Dive into the vibrant world of Esperanto with this international gazette, featuring bilingual articles, language lessons, and updates on the spread of the universal language that a…
Level C2ClassicsThe Esperantist, Vol. 1, No. 10In a shadowed forest, a wealthy merchant embarks on a risky journey home with a large sum of money, despite his family's fearful warnings.
Level C2ClassicsThe Double-Dealer: A ComedyIn a world of deception and hidden motives, an unsuspecting gentleman finds his trust shattered by a cunning friend whose duplicity threatens to unravel lives.
Level C2ClassicsThe Deipnosophists; or, Banquet of the Learned of Athenæus, Vol. 1 (of 3)At a lavish Roman banquet, a gathering of erudite guests engages in vibrant discussions spanning history, poetry, music, cuisine, and curiosities, weaving a rich tapestry of ancien…
Level C2ClassicsThe Covent Garden Theatre, or Pasquin Turn'd DrawcansirStep behind the scenes of Covent Garden Theatre, where satire and farce expose the social foibles of the age in this witty two-act afterpiece.
Level C2ClassicsThe Comedy of ErrorsTwin sets of identical twins spark chaos and confusion in a bustling ancient city where mistaken identities lead to comic mishaps, legal threats, and heartfelt reunions.
Level C2ClassicsThe Celtic TwilightStep into a world where Irish folklore breathes through vivid tales of faeries, dhouls, and ancient spirits, blending myth and memory to reveal the timeless soul of Ireland’s count…
Level C2ClassicsThe Captivi and the MostellariaA father unknowingly keeps his own son as a slave while searching for another lost to war, as captives and identities intertwine in a clever plot of mistaken roles and unexpected r…
Level C2ClassicsThe Book-Bills of Narcissus: An Account Rendered by Richard Le GallienneDive into the curious world of Narcissus through the lens of his old book bills, where forgotten ledgers unveil the story of youth, friendship, and the quiet reveries found in a hu…
Level C2ClassicsThe Book of Three Hundred Anecdotes: Historical, Literary, and Humorous—A New SelectionDive into a vibrant collection of historical, literary, and humorous anecdotes featuring figures from kings and poets to soldiers and servants, revealing timeless tales of affectio…
Level C2ClassicsThe Awkward AgeIn the heart of London’s social scene, a young woman’s awkward transition from girlhood sparks tension and revelation among her family and society.
Level C2ClassicsThe Art or Crafte of RhetorykeDelve into the art of persuasive speech and instruction as a dedicated tutor crafts a guide to rhetoric for young scholars destined for law, diplomacy, or teaching in a flourishing…
Level C2ClassicsSwetnam, the Woman-hater, arraigned by women: A new comedie, acted at the Red Bull, by the late Queenes seruants.In a spirited Sicilian court, men and women debate who bears greater blame in love’s offenses, while a bitter misogynist faces challenge and comic justice from the very women he sc…
Level C2ClassicsStray leaves from strange literature; and, Fantastics and other fanciesDive into a mosaic of exotic legends, fables, and parables drawn from Indian, Buddhist, Polynesian, Moslem, and Talmudic traditions, each reconstructed with poetic license to revea…
Level C2ClassicsSpiritual Tales: Re-issue of the Shorter Stories of Fiona Macleod; Rearranged, with Additional TalesExiled and accused, a noble herdsman finds refuge on the mysterious Isle of Iona, where ancient legends and sacred oaths intertwine with the birth of a child destined for greatness…
Level C2ClassicsShort story classics (Foreign), Vol. 5, French IIA woman freshly released from prison, condemned for infanticide, wanders through a harsh November night seeking shelter and compassion in a cold world that shuns her.
Level C2ClassicsShelley: An EssayExplore the complex relationship between poetry and the Church as this essay argues for the restoration of poetry’s sacred role, urging faith to embrace beauty and inspiration rath…
Level C2ClassicsShakespeare's First FolioDive into the original texts of Shakespeare’s comedies, histories, and tragedies as preserved in the First Folio, complete with authentic spellings, printing quirks, and editorial…
Level C2ClassicsShakespeare Jest-Books: Reprints of the Early and Very Rare Jest-Books Supposed to Have Been Used by ShakespeareDive into a treasure trove of rare, early jest-books that inspired Shakespeare and reveal the wit and satire of 16th-century England, including lost tales, scandalous critiques, an…
Level C2ClassicsSelections from Early Middle English, 1130-1250. Part 2: NotesExplore the linguistic and literary treasures of Early Middle English through detailed notes on manuscripts, phonology, and texts like the Peterborough Chronicle and Ancrene Wisse,…
Level C2ClassicsSea and Shore: A Sequel to "Miriam's Memoirs"A poignant farewell unfolds as a woman leaves her ancestral home by the sea, haunted by memories and the weight of "nevermore.
Level C2ClassicsSatiro-Mastix; or, the Vntrussing of the Humorous PoetA fiery literary feud erupts between playwrights in the vibrant world of Elizabethan theater, exposing rivalries, sharp wit, and the battles behind the scenes of the Renaissance st…
Level C2ClassicsSalomé: A Tragedy in One ActIn a tense, forbidden drama set in ancient Judea, the captivating Salomé dances a deadly game with Herod and the prophet Jokanaan, where desire and power collide beneath the shadow…
Level C2ClassicsResurrectionA nobleman confronts his past when he recognizes a woman on trial for a crime he feels responsible for, leading him to question justice, morality, and redemption in a society rife…
Level C2ClassicsRecreations of Christopher North, Volume 2Wander through a vividly painted Scottish parish where nature’s beauty intertwines with poignant memories of youth and loss.
Level C2ClassicsRecollections of My Childhood and YouthA young boy navigates the wonders and confusions of childhood, from playful moments with adults to early lessons about the world’s complexities.
Level C2ClassicsRalph Waldo Emerson, philosopher and seerExplore the intimate reflections and profound insights of a close friend who reveals the spirit and genius behind one of America's greatest thinkers.
Level C2ClassicsPélléas and Mélisande; Alladine and Palomides; HomeIn a haunting exploration of theater’s power and limitations, poetic dramas reveal the elusive beauty that fades when life replaces imagination, challenging how we experience timel…
Level C2ClassicsPlays of Sophocles: Oedipus the King; Oedipus at Colonus; AntigoneA plague ravages Thebes, and King Oedipus must uncover the truth behind the city's suffering.