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.
- 5,467
- books
Level C1ClassicsAn American Girl in LondonAn American girl navigates the curious and often misunderstood world of English society, offering candid reflections on cultural contrasts and the peculiar fascination with her ide…
Level C1ClassicsAn Ambitious Woman: A NovelIn a bleak suburb overshadowed by death and despair, a determined woman navigates the harsh realities of life, work, and hope on the fringes of a bustling metropolis.
Level C1ClassicsAn Ambitious ManA driven young editor from humble beginnings proposes to the heiress of a powerful political family, not for love but for ambition.
Level C1ClassicsAn Adventure with a Genius: Recollections of Joseph PulitzerA weary traveler contemplates a quiet life in Barbados but is unexpectedly drawn into a new path when he responds to a mysterious advertisement seeking a companion-secretary for a…
Level C1ClassicsAn Act in a BackwaterA retired colonel with a flair for grandiosity navigates the quaint social rituals of a country club, revealing his blustery opinions and charming absurdities.
Level C1ClassicsAmy HerbertIn a quaint village beside an ancient forest, Amy Herbert’s peaceful childhood unfolds in a charming cottage filled with love, learning, and simple joys, where nature and nurturing…
Level C1ClassicsAmy FosterIn a quiet coastal village, a country doctor encounters Amy Foster, a simple woman marked by tragedy and misunderstood by those around her.![Cover of Amusing prose chap-books by Robert Hays [Editor] Cunningham](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daeugr8e1ofc73dh9e2g.webp)
Level C1ClassicsAmusing prose chap-booksExplore the lively world of chap-books—cheap, popular literature crafted by and for the common people from the eighteenth century onward—offering vivid insights into the superstiti…
Level C1ClassicsAmphitryonWhen Jupiter, king of the gods, disguises himself as Amphitryon to win his wife Alcmene’s love, divine deception intertwines with mortal passion, setting the stage for a night wher…
Level C1ClassicsAmong the Humorists and After Dinner Speakers, Vol. 1: A New Collection of Humorous Stories and AnecdotesDive into a lively collection of witty anecdotes and humorous stories that capture the sharp wit of famous humorists and after-dinner speakers, blending clever jokes with social in…
Level C1ClassicsAmong My Books. First SeriesExplore the evolution of English poetry through vivid reflections on Dryden, Pope, and Wordsworth, revealing the tensions between tradition and innovation that shaped the literary…
Level C1ClassicsAmericans and OthersExploring the nature of American manners through thoughtful essays, this collection questions the roots of societal behavior, youth's self-absorption, and the evolving concept of p…
Level C1ClassicsAmerican short storiesExplore the evolution of American storytelling through a vivid collection that traces the short story’s growth from early experimental tales to a unique, distinctly American art fo…
Level C1ClassicsAmerican ideas for English readersExplore the fervent loyalty and noble ideals that define American identity through the eloquent speeches and letters of a distinguished diplomat bridging two great nations, advocat…
Level C1ClassicsAmerican Literary Centers (from Literature and Life)Explore the shifting landscape of American literature, where no single city holds sway but many sparks of creativity ignite across regions—from Boston's early prominence to the vib…
Level C1ClassicsAmelia — CompleteAmidst the English constitution and the harsh realities of prison life, Captain Booth’s tale unfolds through surprising adventures, tender moments, and complex characters, revealin…
Level C1ClassicsAmbrose Gwinett; or, a sea-side story: a melo-drama, in three actsA weary traveler seeking refuge in a crowded seaside town stumbles upon a mysterious lodging and a strange companion, setting in motion a gripping tale of intrigue, survival, and u…
Level C1ClassicsAmaryllis at the FairIn an English springtime setting, the story delicately reveals the intimate lives of the Iden family, capturing their struggles, passions, and the stirring rural landscape around t…
Level C1ClassicsAlter Ego: A TaleIn a diverse Canadian town, a progressive and fearless new minister challenges narrow minds and confronts local corruption, inspiring hope and stirring controversy as he preaches a…
Level C1ClassicsAlphabetical Vocabularies of the Clallum and LummiExplore the rich linguistic heritage of the Clallam and Lummi tribes through detailed vocabularies and local names, revealing unique sounds and cultural distinctions from the Pacif…
Level C1ClassicsAlonzo Fitz, and Other StoriesTrapped indoors by a fierce Maine winter, Alonzo Fitz Clarence seeks solace from his isolation with witty banter and unexpected conversations, revealing the quirks of high society…
Level C1ClassicsAlone on a Wide Wide Sea, Vol. 2 (of 3)A lone woman aboard a vast sailing ship grapples with isolation and mystery, her identity unknown as she navigates the silent, star-lit ocean.
Level C1ClassicsAloneIn the wake of a heartbreaking funeral, a young woman clings desperately to her departed mother’s coffin, confronting the stark reality of loss and the fragile bonds of family.
Level C1ClassicsAlmayer's Folly: A Story of an Eastern RiverStranded on a remote Bornean river, Almayer clings to dreams of wealth and escape from a life of failure and exile.
Level C1ClassicsAllison Bain; Or, By a Way She Knew NotIn a rain-soaked Scottish valley, a devoted minister and his son journey through familiar hills to comfort Allison Bain, a young woman facing sorrow after her father’s death and th…
Level C1ClassicsAll-Wool Morrison: Time -- Today, Place -- the United States, Period of Action -- Twenty-four HoursIn a single bustling day in Marion, a city gripped by political intrigue, steadfast mill owner and reluctant mayor Stewart Morrison balances his dedication to honest manufacturing…
Level C1ClassicsAll the Sad Young MenA portrait of privilege and isolation, this collection delves into the lives of wealthy young men navigating the complexities of status, identity, and the elusive search for meanin…
Level C1ClassicsAll the Days of My Life: An Autobiography: The Red Leaves of a Human HeartBorn in 1831 England, a spirited soul recounts a life shaped by both joy and sorrow, seeking to inspire and comfort women through candid reflections on growth, resilience, and the…
Level C1ClassicsAll on the Irish Shore: Irish SketchesAmid the muddy fields and tangled woods of Ireland, a spirited hunt unravels with mischievous hounds, determined hunters, and a chaotic clash with local tinkers.
Level C1ClassicsAll Things ConsideredDive into a sharp and candid collection of essays tackling the weighty issues of modernism, philanthropy, and society’s fleeting trends, all penned with wit and urgency amidst the…
Level C1ClassicsAll Sorts and Conditions of Men: An Impossible StoryIn the vibrant heart of East London and the scholarly calm of Cambridge, two women grapple with their futures and the value of a single life.
Level C1ClassicsAll Roads Lead to CalvaryA young writer seeking inspiration in an ancient London church uncovers vivid stories of its past inhabitants, from literary figures to early feminists, as she navigates history, f…
Level C1ClassicsAll God's chillun got wings, and WeldedIn a vibrant New York neighborhood divided by race, two children—Ella and Jim—navigate the challenges of friendship and identity amid teasing and societal barriers, revealing the t…
Level C1ClassicsAlice Sit-By-The-FireIn a charmingly detailed room filled with handcrafted treasures, a clever seventeen-year-old girl named Amy navigates family tensions and hidden emotions, while her brother wrestle…
Level C1ClassicsAlfred TennysonExplore the life and work of a poet who embodies wisdom and self-control, navigating sorrow and success with enduring strength and renown.
Level C1ClassicsAlexander's BridgeA philosophy professor visiting Boston encounters the enigmatic Mrs.
Level C1ClassicsAlexander PopeExplore the intricate life and legacy of a towering English poet through a detailed survey of biographers, critics, and unpublished letters that reveal the complexities behind his…
Level C1ClassicsAlec Forbes of HowglenIn a quiet Scottish farmyard, a somber gathering confronts death and the struggles of a worn man who strove for goodness amidst harsh realities.
Level C1ClassicsAlbert SavarusIn Restoration Besancon, the devout Baronne de Watteville hosts a circle where politics, law, and religion collide, centering on the brilliant young lawyer Albert Savarus, whose le…
Level C1ClassicsAlas! A NovelOn a stormy night in Oxford, an uneasy reunion unfolds as a reluctant man is drawn into a peculiar social gathering where readings and strained conversations hint at deeper divides…
Level C1ClassicsAlarms and DiscursionsA priest builds a radiant temple to honor the sun, but after a brutal pirate invasion, the islanders embrace a new, wild vision—crafting a cathedral adorned with grotesque creature…
Level C1ClassicsAlamo Ranch: A Story of New MexicoIn the sunlit expanse of New Mexico's Alamo Ranch, a group of consumptive boarders seek healing in the dry air and rugged landscape, forging bonds of hope, humor, and courage amid…
Level C1ClassicsAladdin of London; Or, LodestarIn the shadowed halls of Whitechapel, a desperate orator recounts his brutal past and ignites a revolutionary fervor among London's oppressed masses, challenging the city's authori…
Level C1ClassicsAikensideIn a quarrelsome Devonshire village, Dr.
Level C1ClassicsAgnes GreyBorn into a modest parsonage with loving but limited means, a young woman navigates the challenges of family sacrifices and uncertain fortunes while yearning to glimpse the wider w…
Level C1ClassicsAgainst the TideIn a grand Ohio mansion, a wedding unites two ambitious souls intertwined with a powerful business empire on the brink of transformation.
Level C1ClassicsAgainst the GrainA solitary heir to a once-mighty lineage, Jean Des Esseintes wrestles with a fading family legacy and his own restless intellect amid the decaying grandeur of the Château de Lourps…
Level C1ClassicsAfterwards, and Other StoriesA brilliant man on a sunlit Riviera holiday receives a telegram that shatters his escape, forcing him to confront the sacrifices and quiet devotion of his overlooked wife back home…