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
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Level B2ClassicsPetunia againIn a close-knit country town, life revolves around heartfelt welcomes for returning soldiers, bustling community events, and the simple yet rich rhythms of rural living.
Level B2ClassicsPeter Binney: A NovelA self-made poultry food magnate wrestles with a life-changing decision, contemplating a bold new direction beyond his business empire.
Level B2ClassicsPerfection CityA newlywed bride arrives at Perfection City, a rugged prairie community where neighbors share labor and life under a dream of collective harmony.
Level B2ClassicsPegeenA weary painter escapes the city’s chaos for a rustic shack, seeking peace amid nature’s quiet beauty.
Level B2ClassicsPeg O' My HeartIn a small Irish village torn between tradition and rebellion, a fiery agitator returns to challenge the old priest's vision of peace.
Level B2ClassicsPeak and Prairie: From a Colorado Sketch-bookIn the shadow of a majestic Rocky Mountain peak, a devoted mother braves a harsh new land, seeking health and hope for her ailing son.
Level B2ClassicsPeach Blossom Shangri-la: Tao Hua Yuan JiA fisherman stumbles upon a hidden valley where a peaceful village lives untouched by time or war, unaware of the outside world’s turmoil.
Level B2ClassicsPeace in Friendship VillageIn a small village winding down its Red Cross efforts, diverse neighbors prepare for a final celebration that reveals their intertwined histories, hopes, and the quiet strength of…
Level B2ClassicsPaul and His Dog, v.2 (Novels of Paul de Kock Volume XIV)A fearless boy defies warnings to swim in dangerous waters, only to be saved by his loyal dog Ami, whose bravery contrasts with his young master's mischievous nature.
Level B2ClassicsPaul RalstonIn Oak City, Miss Phebe Hansford anticipates a bustling summer season as visitors arrive and the town awakens from winter’s gloom, while she navigates family tensions and the promi…
Level B2ClassicsPatsyIn the wild Irish moors, Mr.
Level B2ClassicsPatience Sparhawk and Her Times: A NovelIn the rugged pine woods of Monterey, spirited Patience Sparhawk wrestles with her restless nature and the slow pace of life around her, forging a bond with her gentle Spanish frie…
Level B2ClassicsPastorals of DorsetIn the windswept fields of Dorset, Farmer Joyce and his aging shepherd face the challenges of lambing season amid changing seasons and quiet struggles.
Level B2ClassicsPassing of the Third Floor BackA mysterious young stranger arrives at a gloomy Bloomsbury boarding house, where his presence stirs curiosity and unsettles the sharp-tempered landlady.
Level B2ClassicsPassing ByA young man navigates London society and office life while observing the comings and goings of acquaintances with varied ambitions and tastes, revealing a world of fleeting connect…
Level B2ClassicsPainted WindowsA father and child embark on a rugged, unpredictable journey through Michigan’s wild forests and uncertain roads, where adventure and the bond between them face the challenges of n…
Level B2ClassicsOutpostOn the last day of October, the radiant Sun casts its light on a joyful family celebrating the sixth birthday of their lively daughter, Sunshine.
Level B2ClassicsOut of the depthsA devoted clergyman faces a deepening storm of trials that test his faith and family bonds.
Level B2ClassicsOur World; Or, the Slaveholder's DaughterOn a South Carolina plantation steeped in history and haunted by betrayal, the brutal realities of slavery unfold against a backdrop of faded ideals and harsh oppression.
Level B2ClassicsOur Casualty, and Other Stories: 1918In the peaceful suburb of Ballyhaine, a group of seasoned men form a volunteer corps to defend their coastal home against a possible German invasion, battling harsh weather and ske…
Level B2ClassicsOur BessieStranded by a sudden snowdrift, cheerful Bessie finds herself sharing a first-class compartment with a frightened young woman, turning an inconvenient delay into an unexpected adve…
Level B2ClassicsOtherwise PhyllisAn adventurous father and daughter break camp after a month in the wilderness, sharing a deep bond amid changing seasons and unspoken moods.
Level B2ClassicsOther Worlds: A story concerning the wealth earned by American citizens and showing how it can be secured to them instead of to the trustsIn a world gripped by unemployment and the power of trusts, a visionary story unfolds about securing wealth and freedom for all hardworking citizens.
Level B2ClassicsOrpheus in Mayfair, and Other Stories and SketchesA struggling Greek musician in London dreams of sharing the lost songs of Hellas but faces hardship when his son falls gravely ill just as a career-changing concert beckons.
Level B2ClassicsOriginal Short Stories — Volume 13In a desolate, haunting landscape, an old boatman reveals the eerie tale of Old Judas, a mysterious wanderer believed to be the legendary Wandering Jew, whose strange presence and…
Level B2ClassicsOriginal Short Stories — Volume 12A devoted widower dotes on his late wife's child, showering him with love and indulgence despite warnings from their stern nurse.
Level B2ClassicsOriginal Short Stories — Volume 11In a household ruled by frugality and pride, a simple umbrella becomes a battleground of secrets and tempers, revealing the hidden tensions beneath a seemingly comfortable marriage…
Level B2ClassicsOriginal Short Stories — Volume 09In a quaint Norman hamlet, the larger-than-life innkeeper Toine, famed for his fiery cognac and boisterous charm, holds court at "The Friends' Meeting-Place," where laughter, local…
Level B2ClassicsOriginal Short Stories — Volume 08In a rural village, a boy’s vivid memories of Mother Clochette—a mysterious, bearded seamstress with a captivating presence—unfold through haunting tales and simple adventures that…
Level B2ClassicsOriginal Short Stories — Volume 07A devoted husband mourns his virtuous wife who adored imitation jewelry, only to face financial ruin after her death.
Level B2ClassicsOriginal Short Stories — Volume 05A devoted father navigates the complexities of family tension and unspoken struggles during quiet moments with his son.
Level B2ClassicsOriginal Short Stories — Volume 04In a rural farmstead, a dying man’s final hours cast a quiet shadow over daily life, revealing the harsh realities and stoic resilience of a peasant family as they prepare for the…
Level B2ClassicsOriginal Penny Readings: A Series of Short SketchesA spirited reflection on the value of hard work and contentment, this series of sketches challenges social pretensions and celebrates the sturdy worth of the common man amidst life…
Level B2ClassicsOnly an Irish GirlIn a windswept Irish village, young Honor Blake faces the legacy of her family's troubled past and the arrival of a charming Englishman, igniting passions and rivalries that threat…
Level B2ClassicsOne way outA middle-class New Englander breaks family tradition by emigrating to America, sharing his personal struggles and sacrifices to offer hope and guidance to those seeking "one way ou…
Level B2ClassicsOne of OursA young man on a sprawling prairie ranch faces the hardships of rural life and the complexities of family dynamics, all set against the backdrop of a warm summer day and the promis…
Level B2ClassicsOne Hundred Merrie And Delightsome Stories: Right Pleasaunte To Relate In All Goodly Companie By Way Of Joyance And JollityDive into a lively collection of one hundred witty tales brimming with humor, cunning, and unexpected twists, each crafted to entertain and delight readers in good company.
Level B2ClassicsOne Day's Courtship, and The Heralds of FameAn artist ventures into the wilds to capture the majestic Shawenegan Falls with his camera, relying on the help of a wealthy lumber king and local guides.
Level B2ClassicsOn the Stage--and Off: The Brief Career of a Would-Be ActorA young man’s dream of the stage sparks a humorous and honest journey through the trials of aspiring to act, discovering the harsh realities behind theatrical glamour and the trans…
Level B2ClassicsOn the Iron at Big CloudA determined young man takes on the grueling role of Locomotive Foreman in the rugged Hill Division, where tough conditions and fierce competition test every ounce of skill and res…
Level B2ClassicsOn Our SelectionA family's grueling struggle to clear and cultivate a wild Australian selection tests their endurance, hope, and unity amid isolation and harsh nature.
Level B2ClassicsOlivia in IndiaSet sail with Olivia as she endures a tempestuous sea voyage to India, forging unexpected friendships and facing the challenges of travel with humor and heart.
Level B2ClassicsOldhamIn a quiet New England parish, a humble red schoolhouse hums with the rhythms of country life, where a determined teacher guides her small class through lessons of faith and resili…
Level B2ClassicsOld lamps for newAt a unique school where lessons in empathy outweigh traditional teaching, children experience temporary disabilities—blindness, lameness, silence—to truly understand the challenge…
Level B2ClassicsOld SlowpokeIn rugged hunting grounds, the slow-moving but determined Rall Hollidge relies on his seemingly useless dog, Old Slowpoke, as he vies for the affection of Jane Saunders while facin…
Level B2ClassicsOld Man Savarin Stories: Tales of Canada and CanadiansJourney into the heart of Canada through vivid tales of honor, hardship, and community, where old debts, family loyalty, and rugged landscapes shape the lives of unforgettable char…
Level B2ClassicsOld Gorgon Graham: More Letters from a Self-Made Merchant to His SonA self-made pork packing magnate writes candid letters to his son, blending tough business lessons with fatherly advice, revealing the challenges of legacy, leadership, and family…
Level B2ClassicsOld Friends and NewIn a quiet village, Miss Horatia Dane lives a life shadowed by a lost love and solitude until her young cousin Nelly arrives, bringing fresh energy and unexpected warmth to the old…