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 C1ClassicsThe letters of Madame de SévignéStep into the refined world of 17th-century France through intimate letters filled with wit, tender affection, and vivid portraits of society, revealing the delicate balance of fam…
Level C1ClassicsThe lady of the basement flatAfter her sister’s wedding, Evelyn Wastneys feels like a ghost of herself, trapped between past and present in an old Irish country home.
Level C1ClassicsThe justice of GideonIn a small Northern California town, a dedicated judge balances his ambitions, a budding political career, and a complicated past as a young woman arrives with a secret tied to a s…
Level C1ClassicsThe jugglerIn a remote mountain cove, a mysterious stranger arrives to perform the first-ever juggling show, captivating a skeptical and curious community unused to such spectacle.
Level C1ClassicsThe isle of liesA daring scholar ventures to a remote Abyssinian island to uncover ancient manuscripts guarded by cloistered monks, only to find himself caught in a web of secrets, superstition, a…
Level C1ClassicsThe illustrious Dr. MathéusIn a quaint Alsatian town, the eccentric Dr.![Cover of The humour of Germany by Hans [Editor] Müller-Casenov](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dafdn35a8p2c739itkkg.webp)
Level C1ClassicsThe humour of GermanyExplore the intricate landscape of German humor through diverse regional dialects, historical influences, and cultural nuances that shape a nation's unique comedic spirit.
Level C1ClassicsThe house of the deadEnduring a brutal sentence in a Siberian prison, a young man confronts the harsh realities of punishment and the complex spirit of the Russian people, revealing a profound search f…
Level C1ClassicsThe house of pride, and other tales of HawaiiIn the vibrant backdrop of Hawaii, a proud, fastidious man wrestles with his rigid ideals and uneasy place among lively army officers and civilians, revealing a clash between tradi…
Level C1ClassicsThe hindered handIn the segregated South, a mysterious note passed between a white woman and a Black porter aboard a midnight train sparks a tense, forbidden connection.
Level C1ClassicsThe hermit's ChristmasOn a remote mountain cave, a solitary hermit welcomes a weary Crusader and a ragtag band of strangers on Christmas Day, sharing a humble feast that challenges notions of hospitalit…
Level C1ClassicsThe heritage of unrestIn a merciless desert, a worn cavalryman faces death and sacrifice amid a desperate mission to track the elusive chief Cochise.
Level C1ClassicsThe haunts of menAmid the quiet farmland, a sudden flood of soldiers descends, transforming peaceful fields into a battleground on the brink of war.
Level C1ClassicsThe guests of HerculesA novice bids farewell to the convent garden that has shaped her entire youth, wrestling with fear and nostalgia as she steps into an uncertain future.
Level C1ClassicsThe green overcoatA shy, absent-minded psychologist attends a bustling party only to discover his cherished green overcoat has vanished, setting him on a curious journey through social awkwardness a…
Level C1ClassicsThe great Galeoto; Folly or saintliness: two plays done from the verse of José Echegaray into English prose by Hannah LynchA mathematician-turned-dramatist explores timeless human conflicts through powerful Spanish plays that challenge audiences to confront life's pressing moral dilemmas with intensity…
Level C1ClassicsThe gray wolf's daughterA young, unorthodox doctor is summoned to the enigmatic Cranstoun Chase estate to diagnose a mysterious patient, stepping into a world of old family secrets, eerie legends, and hig…
Level C1ClassicsThe gospel of freedomAn artist defies critics with his daring portrayal of a woman immersed in water, capturing the essence of light and life in a Paris studio.
Level C1ClassicsThe golden windmill, and other storiesStep into a collection where timeless human emotions unfold in modern settings—from fried-fish shops to public houses—each story crafted with the precision of a master artisan, pro…
Level C1ClassicsThe gold-stealersIn the struggling mining town of Waddy, a quirky, ramshackle schoolhouse becomes the heart of community life amid hardship and ingenuity.
Level C1ClassicsThe gold of OphirA young Chicago man, armed with education but little fortune, navigates love and social disparity when his wealthy beloved’s parents disapprove of their union due to his lack of we…
Level C1ClassicsThe girl in the crowdIn a bustling New York apartment, Daisy Reynolds toils as a telephone operator, blending into the crowd yet privy to the city's intimate secrets through overheard conversations.
Level C1ClassicsThe girl from nowhereIn a bleak London lodging-house, a young man of refined background confronts despair and defeat, severing himself from hope and the struggle of life.
Level C1ClassicsThe gift of friendshipAmidst life's selfish chill, heartfelt connections ignite warmth and inspiration, transforming strangers into cherished friends.
Level C1ClassicsThe friends, and other storiesTwo friends, White and Mapleson, navigate the bustling London furnishing trade with a bond forged over endless drinks and shared lunches.
Level C1ClassicsThe frantic masterA man haunted by a lost love navigates a tangled social web, where intellect, beauty, and breeding collide beneath the surface of polite gatherings.
Level C1ClassicsThe framed fiftyIn Havana, Mike O'Donnell runs a bustling bar, proudly displaying the framed fifty-dollar bill that symbolizes his independence and success since fleeing Prohibition-era New York.
Level C1ClassicsThe forged coupon, and other storiesExplore the clash between materialism and spiritual power as a visionary grapples with faith, idealism, and the soul of the common people, revealing the enduring struggle for meani…
Level C1ClassicsThe folk of Furry FarmStep into the heart of an Irish village where folklore meets everyday life, capturing the vibrant spirit and rich traditions of rural Ireland through vivid prose that brings its pe…
Level C1ClassicsThe first violin: A novelIn a quiet spring afternoon, young May Wedderburn faces an unsettling visit from the distant yet imposing Miss Hallam, stirring a sense of loneliness and hidden troubles within the…
Level C1ClassicsThe first sopranoIn a stately church, a gifted soprano’s haunting anthem stirs the congregation, while a mysterious young stranger challenges their faith with a bold sermon on true worship beyond t…
Level C1ClassicsThe feast at SolhougRival women vie for the love of a man falsely accused and hunted by royal agents, while misunderstandings and tragic twists unfold in a lyrical drama inspired by heroic ballads and…
Level C1ClassicsThe fatal marriageA young provincial officer and his loyal servant navigate the wild, untamed Maryland frontier, facing storms and solitude as they search for shelter in a vast, uninhabited wilderne…
Level C1ClassicsThe eleventh hour in the life of Julia Ward HoweAt eighty-seven, Julia Ward Howe embraces a vibrant final chapter filled with purposeful work, poetic creation, and unyielding vitality.
Level C1ClassicsThe easiest wayIn the dazzling chaos of Broadway's after-theatre nightlife, a woman with a tarnished past seeks redemption through a sincere love, only to confront harsh realities and societal sc…
Level C1ClassicsThe duelAmid the rigid drills and tense atmosphere of a Russian military garrison, young officers navigate camaraderie, discipline, and the strain of duty.
Level C1ClassicsThe dramatic instinct in childrenExplore how children’s vivid imagination and play become powerful tools for moral growth and joyful discovery, as parents guide them to bring dreams to life through dramatic expres…
Level C1ClassicsThe divine and moral songs of Isaac WattsDiscover the timeless hymns and moral songs crafted to teach children faith and wisdom through simple, heartfelt verses.
Level C1ClassicsThe diary of a superfluous man, and other storiesOn the brink of death, a weary man begins a candid diary, reflecting on his troubled upbringing, the stark contrasts between his virtuous mother and flawed father, and his own sens…
Level C1ClassicsThe despot of Broomsedge CoveIn the rugged wilderness of the Great Smoky Mountains, a young psalmist rides fiercely between faith and frontier life, his fervent spirituality clashing with the practical demands…
Level C1ClassicsThe deserted wifeIn a society where marriage is often entered into lightly and dissolved easily, a young bride faces abandonment, ill health, and social ruin, revealing the harsh realities behind d…
Level C1ClassicsThe demon ship, or The pirate of the MediterraneanA young soldier's unrequited love for Margaret Cameron leads him to India, only to return and discover a devastating loss that shatters his hopes and alters his destiny amid myster…
Level C1ClassicsThe daughter of JorioIn the rugged Abruzzi, ancient customs clash with forbidden love as a daughter defies tribal bounds, stirring passion and tragedy in a land where old blood and new desires collide.
Level C1ClassicsThe darkA weary terrorist on the brink of a critical assassination seeks refuge in a brothel, confronting his inner turmoil and unfamiliar desires as he prepares for a deadly mission that…
Level C1ClassicsThe dangerous inheritanceIn a fading artist’s studio, a young singer’s rare talent draws the attention of a powerful patron who offers a fortune to secure her future—on the condition she forsakes love and…
Level C1ClassicsThe daft daysOn a frosty New Year’s morning, a cheerful, quirky bell stirs a sleepy town into waking merriment, setting the stage for lively characters and unexpected joys amid the festive, sno…
Level C1ClassicsThe cynic's breviary: Maxims and anecdotes from Nicolas de ChamfortDive into a sharp, witty collection of maxims and anecdotes that reveal the cynical yet insightful mind of a man who navigated the dazzling and turbulent society of 18th-century Fr…
Level C1ClassicsThe curse of goldIn the grim confines of a pauper’s hospital ward, two young women lie on the edge between life and death, bound by hardship and secrets.