Classics
Read Classics Classics in English
786 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.
- 786
- books
Level B2ClassicsGod's Country—And the WomanAlone in the vast Arctic wilderness, Philip Weyman paddles toward civilization, haunted by loss but buoyed by hope.
Level B2ClassicsGoat-FeathersA man battles endless distractions—"goat-feathers"—that steal his time and keep him from success, juggling countless roles and committees while trying to focus on his true work.
Level B2ClassicsGlory of YouthA young woman, haunted by her parents' troubled past and isolated in a gloomy seaside house, wrestles with loneliness and the desire to escape.
Level B2ClassicsGloria and Treeless StreetA wealthy young woman’s quiet days are stirred by her chance friendship with a diligent district nurse from a stark, treeless street.
Level B2ClassicsGinger-SnapsBiting wit and keen observation unravel the tedious rituals of social dinner parties, exposing the hollow customs behind lavish feasts and forced conversation.
Level B2ClassicsGhosts: A Domestic Tragedy in Three ActsIn a gloomy Norwegian fjord house, secrets and strained family ties simmer as a widow, her son, and their household confront the shadows of past sins and societal pressures, reveal…
Level B2ClassicsGerman wit and humorStep into a world where fools reveal truths, clever pranks challenge wisdom, and sly humor exposes human nature through tales of jesters, monks, and knights.
Level B2ClassicsGeorge HelmIn a bustling Ohio river town, George Helm arrives as an enigmatic young man with a striking red beard and humble origins, instantly drawing curious and skeptical attention.
Level B2ClassicsGena of the AppalachiansIn the Appalachian mountains, a feared outlaw’s death brings the mountainfolk together amid a fierce winter storm, where a layman of faith steps forward to honor a man whose life w…
Level B2ClassicsGarryowenAmidst the wild beauty of coastal Ireland, a fragile young woman named Miss French navigates life from her bath-chair, accompanied by her loyal caretaker Moriarty, as they traverse…
Level B2ClassicsGarman and Worse: A Norwegian NovelAn enigmatic former attaché escapes his wild past to live as a lighthouse keeper by the restless sea, accompanied only by his young daughter.
Level B2ClassicsGala-DaysA determined woman drags down a cumbersome trunk, setting off on a carefully planned journey where her adventures are crafted to create a captivating travelogue.
Level B2ClassicsFuturist StoriesIn a world where art, history, and philosophy grapple with beauty and despair, spirits seek to awaken mankind to new wonders.
Level B2ClassicsFurther FoolishnessDive into a witty collection of sharply condensed stories and humorous sketches that poke fun at fiction, society, and human folly with clever brevity and unexpected twists.
Level B2ClassicsFurther Adventures of Quincy Adams Sawyer and Mason Corner FolksA newly elected governor reflects on his journey from outsider to beloved member of a small town, urging citizens to build a beautiful, thriving community grounded in education, se…
Level B2ClassicsFrom the Land of the Snow-Pearls: Tales from Puget SoundIn the shadow of Puget Sound’s snow-capped mountains, a young woman named Demaris struggles to balance duty and desire, caring for her ailing mother while yearning for a night of f…
Level B2ClassicsFrom sawdust to Windsor CastleBorn into hardship and drawn to the circus, a young boy's journey takes him from running away at nine to the dazzling stages of London and America.
Level B2ClassicsFrom a Swedish homesteadIn 1830s Upsala, a privileged student is confronted with the harsh truth about his family’s fading fortune and the heavy expectations tied to his inheritance.
Level B2ClassicsFriendship and Folly: A NovelA spirited boy discovers a lost ring worth fifty dollars, sparking a sibling adventure that intertwines family loyalty and unexpected fortune on a rustic summer lawn.
Level B2ClassicsFrictional Electricity: From "The Saturday Evening Post."In a hospital ward, a battered plumber recounts how a lecture on frictional electricity and a bold bet to cure a rival's headache with it led to unexpected—and dangerous—consequenc…
Level B2ClassicsFrench without a masterIn a bustling London hotel, a French couple elopes under assumed names, navigating language barriers and familial opposition with humor and charm.
Level B2ClassicsFreezing a Mother-in-Law; or, Suspended Animation: A farce in one actA determined suitor faces the formidable rule of his fiancée’s mother, whose iron will threatens to end their engagement.
Level B2ClassicsFrederica and her Guardians; Or, The Perils of OrphanhoodBehind the high garden walls of a once-idyllic home, a family's fortunes unravel as illness and neglect shadow the life of poor Mrs.
Level B2ClassicsFrecklesA one-handed boy named Freckles seeks acceptance and purpose guarding the vast Limberlost timberlands, facing skepticism but fueled by determination in a rugged lumber camp alive w…
Level B2ClassicsFrances Waldeaux: A NovelA long-awaited voyage to Europe begins aboard the grand Kaiser Wilhelm, where Frances Waldeaux, a woman shaped by thirty years of dreams, embarks on a journey to discover the myste…
Level B2ClassicsFour Short PlaysIn a cozy drawing room, Rachel and Carteret explore the delicate differences between men and women through candid, witty conversation, revealing fears, love, and the quiet bonds th…
Level B2ClassicsFour Short PlaysIn a bright English countryside setting, a daring woman plunges into a pond to rescue a dog from a fierce fight, sparking gratitude, intrigue, and social tension among the local ge…
Level B2ClassicsForty Minutes Late: 1909Caught in a relentless snowstorm, a determined lecturer races against time to reach a remote settlement for an important lecture, only to find the promised welcome vanishing into a…
Level B2ClassicsForge and furnace: A novelIn the fiery heart of Sheffield's steelworks, a stern master and his reluctant son face the grueling realities of industry and family expectations, while a sharp-eyed young workman…
Level B2ClassicsFive Hundred Dollars; or, Jacob Marlowe's SecretAn elderly man returns to his hometown after twenty years, uncovering family tensions and hidden fortunes among the Marlowes.
Level B2ClassicsFive Hundred Dollars: First published in the "Century Magazine"In a coastal sail-loft, tales unfold about Delia, a young woman defying her family's legacy of decline by choosing her own path with David Prince, whose troubled past and uncertain…
Level B2ClassicsFishin' JimmyIn a tranquil New Hampshire village, a weathered angler known as Fishin' Jimmy teaches more than fishing—he imparts life lessons of patience, faith, and resilience drawn from the s…
Level B2ClassicsFirst and LastSet sail on the open sea where weighing anchor becomes a metaphor for life's beginnings, testing courage, skill, and truth against the unpredictable tides and winds.
Level B2ClassicsFirst Fam'lies of the SierrasIn a remote Sierra camp called The Forks, rugged men carve out a wild new Eden, electing a hapless judge to rule their lawless world.
Level B2ClassicsFires of St. John: A Drama in Four ActsIn a well-to-do Pomeranian household, a looming family wedding stirs old tensions as a mysterious woman from the past reappears, threatening to disrupt the carefully arranged happi…
Level B2ClassicsFern's HollowNestled in a hidden Welsh hollow, a rugged hut shelters a family marked by hardship and hope, living quietly on the edge of society where common land meets solitary hills.
Level B2ClassicsFather SergiusA promising officer destined for glory abruptly abandons his military career, fiancée, and wealth to seek solace in a monastery.
Level B2ClassicsFate Knocks at the Door: A NovelA young man’s decisive act aboard a swift clipper in the China Sea sets the stage for a journey through fate, passion, and the complexities of life.
Level B2ClassicsFanny Lambert: A NovelAn aspiring artist in Chelsea awaits the visit of Fanny Lambert, a spirited young woman whose innocence and unconventional ways promise to upend his orderly world.
Level B2ClassicsFamous Authors (Men)Discover the early struggles and literary rise of William Dean Howells, tracing his journey from a newspaper boy in Ohio to a celebrated author navigating the challenges of publish…
Level B2ClassicsFamily Pride; Or, Purified by SufferingIn a stately New England farmhouse, an old-fashioned deacon and his steadfast family confront the challenges of changing times and personal loss, revealing how pride and perseveran…
Level B2ClassicsFairfax and His Pride: A NovelA young Southern artist arrives in chilly New York City, brimming with hope and ambition despite his physical limp and limited means.
Level B2ClassicsFair HarborIn a quaint coastal town, the hardworking Macomber family navigates daily struggles, community ties, and small-town charm, anchored by their enduring roles at Eliphalet Bassett’s g…
Level B2ClassicsFables of Field and StaffStep into the relaxed world of a volunteer infantry regiment in peacetime, where quirky traditions and colorful characters bring military life to vivid, humorous life.
Level B2ClassicsFables in SlangWry and witty tales capture the quirks of everyday life with sharp humor and sly social commentary, from a phrenologist's dubious talents to a girl chasing elusive ideals.
Level B2ClassicsFables for the TimesWitty fables unfold as animals navigate vanity, deceit, and ambition in a forest where cleverness and folly collide, revealing timeless truths with humor and irony.
Level B2ClassicsFablesStep behind the scenes of a beloved sea tale as Captain Smollett and Long John Silver, characters aware of their fictional lives, debate morality, fate, and the whims of their Auth…
Level B2ClassicsExperienceA cheerful young woman embraces life with wit and simplicity, sharing her everyday joys and loves in a heartfelt story that celebrates happiness amidst life's quiet moments.