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 B2ClassicsDream Life and Real Life: A Little African StoryIn the harsh African plains, young Jannita dreams of a kinder life far from her harsh reality as a poor indentured child.
Level B2ClassicsDrawing Rooms, Second Floor, and Attics: A Farce, in One ActIn a bustling London household preparing for a grand ball, a spirited servant and her quirky uncle navigate mishaps and social ambitions amidst chaotic preparations, promising a ni…
Level B2ClassicsDown the line with John HenryFollow John Henry’s wild bets and witty schemes through the thrilling chaos of the racetrack, where luck, hunches, and high stakes collide in a rollicking adventure filled with col…
Level B2ClassicsDorothy PageWhen Dorothy Page moves from her isolated Western ranch to a grand Kentucky home, her vibrant spirit and fresh perspective captivate her wealthy neighbor Sterling.
Level B2ClassicsDorothy Harcourt's secretOn a snowy Christmas night, a mysterious sleigh ride brings joy to children in troubled neighborhoods, while Roma, devoted to rescuing lost children, grapples with the uncertain fa…
Level B2ClassicsDorianA young boy’s simple quest for shoes leads him to a treasure trove of books, forcing a tough choice between practicality and passion.
Level B2ClassicsDolly DialoguesMiss Dolly Foster takes pride in having transformed a plain, unrefined young man into a polished gentleman—only to be coldly ignored by him now.
Level B2ClassicsDiminutive dramasStep into a witty breakfast debate between King Henry VIII and Catherine Parr, where a simple boiled egg sparks a clash of opinions and a playful argument over history, love, and t…
Level B2ClassicsDimbie and I—and AmeliaIn a sunlit Surrey garden, a woman’s joy blooms as her beloved husband Dimbie returns home, bringing warmth and love that outshines family woes and everyday troubles.
Level B2ClassicsDevil's FordIn a booming frontier mining camp, newfound riches spark grand dreams and wild plans among rugged prospectors, whose boyish enthusiasm clashes with the harsh realities of the dusty…
Level B2ClassicsDestinyOrphaned and penniless, Muriel Standen is invited to uncover long-hidden family secrets that may change her fate forever.
Level B2ClassicsDelilah of the SnowsCaught between rigid social ranks and personal longing, a young man cherishes secret moments with a proud, graceful woman in a quiet English village, where unspoken hopes and the p…
Level B2ClassicsDeephaven and Selected Stories & SketchesTwo young women inherit a charming old estate in the quaint, sea-swept town of Deephaven, where childhood memories and family legacies intertwine.
Level B2ClassicsDear EnemyA spirited socialite unexpectedly takes charge of a bleak orphanage, plunging into the challenge of transforming its grim halls and the lives within—while navigating family expecta…
Level B2ClassicsDaphne: An Autumn PastoralAn American girl navigates language barriers and cultural quirks while exploring the Italian countryside alone, uncovering the beauty and challenges of villa life amid whispers of…
Level B2ClassicsDanny's Own StoryRaised by a quarrelsome couple who can’t agree on his name or his place in the world, young Danny navigates a harsh life where love, identity, and hardship collide in a raw, unforg…
Level B2ClassicsDancers in the DarkIn the glow of her first prom night, Joy Nelson steps into a dazzling world of late-night dances, rebellious roommates, and thrilling secrets.
Level B2ClassicsDame CareA family faces ruin as their estate is seized and a newborn’s arrival deepens their despair.
Level B2ClassicsDaisy's Necklace, and What Came of ItA vain young writer’s attempt at a novel unfolds alongside sharp critiques and the charming story of Daisy Snarle, whose mysterious necklace weaves through a tapestry of dreams, ho…
Level B2ClassicsDaisy ThorntonA devoted sister’s journal reveals her growing unease as her brother Guy marries Daisy, a charming but mysterious young woman from a troubled family.
Level B2ClassicsCy Whittaker's PlaceIn the seaside town of Bayport, town clerk Asaph Tidditt uncovers a secret letter that could change everything about the coveted Whittaker estate, stirring local tensions and polit…
Level B2ClassicsCupid and the lawIn the shadowy world of Honolulu's opium smuggling, a cunning crew navigates danger and deception, racing against customs officers to protect their illicit cargo.
Level B2ClassicsCrowd-horrorA fiercely powerful boxer with raw talent struggles to master the science of fighting as his determined manager guides him from reckless slugger to potential champion in the brutal…
Level B2ClassicsCowboy Life on the Sidetrack: Being an Extremely Humorous & Sarcastic Story of the Trials & Tribulations Endured by a Party of Stockmen Making a Shipment from the West to the East.A group of seasoned cowboys faces the chaotic reality of shipping cattle eastward, battling delays, deceptive agents, and railroad logistics on the great Overland route.
Level B2ClassicsCousin PhillisA young clerk embarks on newfound independence in a quiet county town, navigating the challenges of work, solitude, and society.
Level B2ClassicsCousin MaudeA young widow faces a life-changing engagement to a wealthy but cold doctor whose true nature remains unknown as she prepares to leave her simple home and bring her spirited daught…
Level B2ClassicsCountess Vera; or, The Oath of VengeanceA young woman faces heartbreak and betrayal as her dying mother reveals dark family secrets and a looming forced marriage.
Level B2ClassicsCora and The Doctor; or, Revelations of A Physician's WifeA young bride crosses the Atlantic with her husband to start a new life in America, facing the challenges of unfamiliar surroundings and the daunting task of winning over his wary…
Level B2ClassicsContinuous VaudevilleStep behind the stage door and meet the watchful gatekeepers of vaudeville theaters, whose quiet observations reveal the colorful, often humorous world of actors and performances b…
Level B2ClassicsConcerning BelindaAmbitious Belinda leaves small-town teaching behind to enter the glittering yet guarded world of a prestigious New York finishing school, where social divides shape every lesson an…
Level B2ClassicsComrades: A Story of Social Adventure in CaliforniaIn turn-of-the-century California, a patriotic colonel confronts rising socialist unrest amid the Spanish-American War, wrestling with loyalty, free speech, and fierce debates over…
Level B2ClassicsComrade YettaIn a humble East Broadway bookstore, young Yetta grows up surrounded by her father's gentle wisdom and eclectic books, learning lessons that shape her unique path amid the vibrant…
Level B2ClassicsComfortable Mrs. Crook, and other sketchesA sharp-witted widow prides herself on her self-sufficiency and well-tended garden, yet her cold distance leaves neighbors longing for her warmth.
Level B2ClassicsColonel Carter of CartersvilleA charming Southern colonel, living modestly in an old Bedford Place home, enthusiastically pursues a bold new railroad scheme with the help of his loyal servant Chad.
Level B2ClassicsCobwebs and CablesRoland Sefton, a prosperous bank partner and beloved town leader, faces a looming crisis that threatens his cherished home and reputation.
Level B2ClassicsCobb's AnatomyDive into a witty exploration of body image and the trials of growing stout, as a slim narrator humorously recounts the social quirks and personal challenges of gaining weight and…
Level B2ClassicsCloudy JewelA devoted woman faces loneliness and judgment after refusing her sister's offer of shelter and support, choosing instead to remain alone in the family home amidst grief and hardshi…
Level B2ClassicsClocksDiscover the quirky world of clocks that are either charmingly unreliable or deceptively precise, causing daily chaos and unexpected adventures.![Cover of Christmas Stories from French and Spanish Writers by Antoinette [Translator] Ogden](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dabm6io9638s73a2ufdg.webp)
Level B2ClassicsChristmas Stories from French and Spanish WritersA blind musician, orphaned and isolated, pours his soul into composing a grand requiem while struggling against poverty and political oppression.
Level B2ClassicsChristmas Eve on Lonesome and Other StoriesIn a snowy, secluded mountain town, a man fueled by years of hatred plots revenge against the enemy who betrayed him, only to confront unexpected truths on a tense Christmas Eve.
Level B2ClassicsChristmas DayStep into a frosty Christmas morning at an ancient English estate where charming children, loyal hounds, and heartfelt carols fill the air with festive magic and old-world traditio…
Level B2ClassicsChit-Chat; Nirvana; The SearchlightA young man named John Cornwall navigates the challenges of early 20th-century life, from boyhood adventures to a pivotal job managing vast coal lands in Kentucky.
Level B2ClassicsChildren of the SoilReturning to the mist-shrouded village of Kremen, Pan Stanislav Polanyetski confronts memories of childhood and a past intertwined with family, mystery, and the haunting beauty of…
Level B2ClassicsChildren of the BushIn the rugged Australian bush, a group of rough shearers rally together to help a sick jackaroo, revealing a harsh yet fiercely loyal community bound by a simple creed of shared ha…
Level B2ClassicsChildren of MenIn a relentless factory filled with roaring sewing machines, Braun dreams of a distant place where beauty is free and life might offer a brief escape from grinding labor and loomin…
Level B2ClassicsChateau d'Or, Norah, and Kitty CraigTraveling through southern France, a chance glimpse of the ancient Chateau d’Or sparks a haunting tale of ambition, love, and mystery centered on Annie Strong, a beautiful New Engl…
Level B2ClassicsCharles Chapin's storyA celebrated city editor faces life imprisonment after a devastating act driven by despair and mental anguish.
Level B2ClassicsCatherine's coquetriesIn a lively French village, Catherine, the gamekeeper’s spirited wife, invents a playful chase among raspberry bushes that sparks joy, rivalry, and unexpected encounters—where laug…