Classics
Read Classics Classics in English
5,467 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.
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Level C1ClassicsBought and Paid For; From the Play of George BroadhurstA devoted doctor faces a family's desperate struggle as the patriarch lies gravely ill, revealing the harsh realities of sacrifice, honor, and impending loss amid their refined but…
Level C1ClassicsBoswell's Correspondence with the Honourable Andrew Erskine, and His Journal of a Tour to CorsicaA young Scotsman ventures into Corsica’s untamed interior during a turbulent war between natives and foreign powers, chronicling the island’s heroic struggle for freedom and inspir…
Level C1ClassicsBoswell the BiographerDive into the intricate relationship between James Boswell and Samuel Johnson, exploring the unique psychology behind the biography that has captivated generations with its vivid,…
Level C1ClassicsBorn in ExileAt the close of a summer day in 1874, a small English town gathers to unveil a statue honoring a self-made millionaire, while the spirited Warricombe family navigates social expect…
Level C1ClassicsBoris LenskyA legendary violinist captivates audiences with a bewitching, almost demonic charm that both elevates and torments him.
Level C1ClassicsBoris Godunov: a drama in verseAmidst political intrigue and suspicion of murder, nobles plot to challenge Boris Godunov’s claim to the Russian throne, while the people’s unrest grows—will power prevail or crumb…
Level C1ClassicsBorder Ghost StoriesExplore eerie tales rooted in the haunted landscapes of the English-Scottish border, where ancient castles, moors, and ruins whisper secrets of restless spirits and ghostly encount…
Level C1ClassicsBooks and CultureExplore the enduring power of great literature as it bridges generations, revealing timeless truths about humanity and life’s deepest passions.
Level C1ClassicsBooks and BookmenDive into the world of bookmen, where the love of literature transcends mere ownership and reveals the true passion behind collecting and cherishing books.
Level C1ClassicsBooks and Authors: Curious Facts and Characteristic SketchesExplore intriguing anecdotes and sketches revealing the hidden stories behind famous authors and their works, from rediscovered diaries to the curious legacies of literary families…
Level C1ClassicsBohemian GrammarDiscover the intricacies of the Bohemian language through practical grammar explanations and exercises designed for English speakers, enriched with stories and poems that bring thi…
Level C1ClassicsBohemian Days in Fleet StreetStep into the vibrant world of Fleet Street in the late 19th century, where a seasoned journalist recalls the vanished era of London's press—its colorful characters, fierce camarad…
Level C1ClassicsBog-Myrtle and Peat: Tales Chiefly of Galloway Gathered from the Years 1889 to 1895Step into the rugged hills of Galloway where loyalty, love, and legend intertwine through stirring tales of honor, faith, and fierce battles.
Level C1ClassicsBluebell: A NovelAt seventeen, Bluebell navigates the harsh realities of poverty and longing in a modest Canadian cottage, yearning for beauty and belonging amidst hardship and dashed hopes.
Level C1ClassicsBlue-Stocking Hall, (Vol. 3 of 3)A young man returns from London to his family estate, grappling with the pretentiousness of city life, the bizarre world of literary society, and the strained health of a beloved u…
Level C1ClassicsBlue-Stocking Hall, (Vol. 2 of 3)Amidst letters of friendship and family news, a nobleman plans his return to England, seeking a grand estate and reconnecting with loved ones who embody honor, independence, and he…
Level C1ClassicsBlue-Stocking Hall, (Vol. 1 of 3)As two friends embark on separate journeys across Europe and Ireland, they exchange letters revealing intimate observations and reflections, challenging preconceived notions about…
Level C1ClassicsBlue Aloes: Stories of South AfricaUnder the eerie night sounds of a remote Karoo farm, a young governess faces mysterious whispers and ghostly warnings to protect the children in her care, as unsettling secrets fro…
Level C1ClassicsBlood and SandA fierce exploration of Spain’s bullfighting world reveals the clash between tradition and modernity, exposing the brutal psychology and social tensions beneath the spectacle.
Level C1ClassicsBlood Will Tell: The Strange Story of a Son of HamIn fog-shrouded Boston, two twin brothers named J.
Level C1ClassicsBlixIn a San Francisco household marked by distance and unspoken tensions, the vibrant Travis Bessemer navigates family dynamics shaped by a detached father, a rebellious brother, and…
Level C1ClassicsBlister JonesAt the heart of the racetrack, a seasoned horse-trainer named Blister Jones reveals the fierce world of thoroughbred racing, where young colts are tamed and pedigrees tell stories…
Level C1ClassicsBliss, and other storiesTwo young sisters face a bittersweet farewell as their family prepares for a move, leaving behind familiar comforts and stepping into an uncertain new chapter filled with childhood…
Level C1ClassicsBlake's BurdenIn the vibrant city of Quebec, a spirited widow seeks escape from society’s bustle, while mysterious guests and exotic creatures hint at deeper intrigues amidst the scenic Canadian…
Level C1ClassicsBlade-O'-Grass. Golden Grain. and Bread and Cheese and Kisses.In the twisted maze of Stoney-alley, a grim London slum, lives collide amid hardship and strange events, weaving tales of survival, charity, and unexpected hope.
Level C1ClassicsBlackguardA young poet returns to his stifling Midwestern hometown, wrestling with dreams of artistic freedom amid the harsh realities of family expectations and a life he feels trapped with…
Level C1ClassicsBlack is WhiteTwo old friends, bound by decades of shared adventures, await the return of a restless heir to reveal a mysterious wireless message from the far reaches of the Atlantic—one that co…
Level C1ClassicsBlack Sheep: A NovelA stranger braves freezing February winds and a lonely journey to reach a respectable household, where he must navigate cold receptions and hidden family tensions.
Level C1ClassicsBjörnstjerne Björnson, 1832-1910Explore the life and work of a passionate Norwegian idealist whose poetry and prose fiercely champion national identity and social reform, blending artistic spirit with a relentles…
Level C1ClassicsBits of BlarneyJourney to the famed village of Blarney, where a legendary stone grants the gift of irresistible persuasion to those who dare to kiss it, unveiling tales of Irish lore, eccentric c…
Level C1ClassicsBisayan grammar and notes on Bisayan rhetoric and poetics and Filipino dialectologyExplore the structure and usage of the Bisayan dialect spoken in Samar and Leyte, with insights into its grammar, rhetoric, and poetics.
Level C1ClassicsBirds of PreyIn a spotless house in a gritty London street, the impeccable surgeon-dentist Philip Sheldon embodies the very image of respectability, stirring curiosity and speculation among his…
Level C1ClassicsBiographical Notes on the Pseudonymous BellsThree sisters, bound by ambition and secrecy, publish their bold poetry under male pseudonyms to escape prejudice.
Level C1ClassicsBiographical EssaysExplore the mysterious early life and legacy of William Shakespeare through detailed historical reflections and cultural insights that uncover the sparse yet profound traces of the…
Level C1ClassicsBiographia Epistolaris, Volume 1Delve into the intimate letters and biographical insights that reveal the inner life and eloquent mind of the poet-philosopher Coleridge, as he narrates his own story through a ric…
Level C1ClassicsBilly and the Big StickIn a turbulent Haitian city where the government seizes control of profitable industries, Billy Barlow, an honest American electrician, struggles to get paid while keeping the elec…
Level C1ClassicsBill of the wild streakUnder the pale moonlight, a fierce and loyal dog wrestles with his wild instincts while guarding a vulnerable flock of sheep, testing the limits of his devotion to a tireless maste…
Level C1ClassicsBill Nye's CordwoodVenture into the rugged world of Montana’s booming cattle industry where cowboys face the challenges of branding, herding, and surviving harsh conditions.
Level C1ClassicsBigfoot Joe, and Others: Figments of FancyIn a northern town, three celebrated artists—a philosopher, a poet, and a painter—explore nature’s soul, yet it is Bigfoot Joe, a humble lumberjack, whose raw connection to the for…
Level C1ClassicsBig lakeIn the spring of 1906 Indian Territory, two young lovers wander the awakening woods near Big Lake, where the dawn’s light reveals a world filled with poetic beauty and the bittersw…
Level C1ClassicsBig LaurelIn the rugged North Carolina mountains, Bud Childers, a wary young man marked by violence, encounters Roxie Kester, a determined girl returning to school after years away.
Level C1ClassicsBeyond the MarshesA determined missionary endures relentless insect swarms and rugged wilderness life, building a humble home and tending to remote communities beyond the vast marshes.
Level C1ClassicsBeyond the GatesA resilient schoolteacher and nurse, worn by relentless duties and a fierce battle with brain fever, confronts the fragile boundary between life and death while reflecting on faith…
Level C1ClassicsBeyond the CityIn a quiet new neighborhood, two curious old ladies spy on a bold, unconventional woman and her strong companion moving into number three—a house that promises to disrupt the sedat…
Level C1ClassicsBeyondA proud, reserved man wrestles with grief and the painful changes in his daughter's life after her sudden marriage to a mysterious fiddler.
Level C1ClassicsBewick's Select Fables of Æsop and others.: In three parts. 1. Fables extracted from Dodsley's. 2. Fables with reflections in prose and verse. 3. Fables in verse.Dive into timeless tales where clever animals and sharp morals intertwine, brought to life with original wood engravings.
Level C1ClassicsBetween the Dark and the DaylightA surprising visit from Aunt and her ragtag group of neighbors turns a quiet morning into an unexpected adventure, revealing the colorful lives and secrets of London's overlooked r…
Level C1ClassicsBetween You and MeA man returns from war with a message for plain folk: the world belongs to those who work, fight, and love with honest hearts.