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 Roll-CallAn ambitious young architect in early 1900s London navigates professional challenges and social intricacies while seeking a new home, discovering unexpected connections and insight…
Level C1ClassicsThe Rock Ahead: A Novel. (Vol. 2)In the labyrinthine courts of London, a weary outsider navigates a grimy, bustling inn filled with desperate souls and shadowy figures, seeking answers in a detective's shabby offi…
Level C1ClassicsThe Rock Ahead: A Novel. (Vol. 1)Under the blazing August sun of Brighton, the high-stakes world of horse racing unfolds, filled with cunning bookmakers, eager bettors, and sharp-witted companions navigating fortu…
Level C1ClassicsThe RobbersTwo brothers, one noble and one corrupted by ambition, clash amidst crime and conscience in a tale that probes the darkest depths of vice and the complex nature of virtue.
Level C1ClassicsThe Robber, A Tale.In a tranquil English countryside untouched by courtly intrigues, ancient nobility and country gentlemen maintain a delicate balance of power and tradition.
Level C1ClassicsThe Road to the OpenA young man grapples with the recent death of his father while sifting through his family's history in a fading Viennese estate, haunted by memories and uncertain about his own fut…
Level C1ClassicsThe Road to ProvidenceAmid the rustic charm of Providence Road, a young doctor and his mother navigate the quirks of farm life and the tender trials of motherhood, blending humor and warmth in a world w…
Level C1ClassicsThe Road to Mandalay: A Tale of BurmaIn a quiet village, the sudden sight of drawn blinds at the usually lively ‘Littlecote’ sparks suspicion and whispers of trouble.
Level C1ClassicsThe Road to Damascus, a TrilogyA restless soul confronts the torment of love, faith, and identity in a gripping drama of inner conflict and transformation.
Level C1ClassicsThe River's Children: An Idyl of the MississippiAs the mighty Mississippi threatens to breach its banks, a diverse band of workers battles to hold back the flood, weaving faith, fear, and resilience into a tense struggle against…
Level C1ClassicsThe Rivals: A ComedyIn a spirited comedy exploring youthful ambition and theatrical mishaps, a novice playwright navigates the challenges of public judgment and self-doubt, revealing the delicate danc…
Level C1ClassicsThe Rising of the Tide: The Story of SabinsportIn a town crippled by corruption and apathy, a young editor risks everything to expose the graft controlling Sabinsport.
Level C1ClassicsThe Rising of the CourtIn a grimy courtroom filled with society’s outcasts and weary officials, the harsh realities of justice and survival unfold through the eyes of those caught in its grip, revealing…
Level C1ClassicsThe Rise of David LevinskyBorn into poverty in Russia and arriving in America with only four cents, a determined young immigrant reflects on his humble origins as he navigates the challenges of identity, me…
Level C1ClassicsThe Right of Way — CompleteIn a tale born from the streets of Quebec, Charley Steele's journey unfolds through trials, discoveries, and deep human struggles, weaving a richly layered story of fate, friendshi…
Level C1ClassicsThe Right Stuff: Some Episodes in the Career of a North BritonA shy country youth confronts the overwhelming city of Edinburgh and the daunting exam that will decide his future, navigating unfamiliar streets, social challenges, and the pressu…
Level C1ClassicsThe Right Knock: A StoryDiscover the transformative journey of Mrs.
Level C1ClassicsThe Rider of WaroonaAn embittered man returns to reclaim his land and exact revenge after a cruel betrayal by the woman he adored and her deceitful lover.
Level C1ClassicsThe Rhythm of Life, and Other EssaysExplore the ebb and flow of human experience as life reveals its hidden rhythms, where joy and sorrow return in cycles beyond our control.
Level C1ClassicsThe RhodesianIn the shadow of ancient Zimbabwe ruins, two young troopers guard a British South Africa Police camp while haunted by eerie legends and the weight of colonial tensions.
Level C1ClassicsThe ReverberatorIn the bustling salons of Paris, a spirited American visitor reconnects with the Dosson family, whose quiet lives are punctuated by restless energy and subtle tensions.
Level C1ClassicsThe Revenge: A TragedyA proud and jealous Spanish nobleman’s suspicion sparks a deadly chain of revenge when a vengeful Moor and a deceitful servant conspire to shatter his tranquil life, leading to tra…
Level C1ClassicsThe Return of the ProdigalA man who has made his fortune in America returns to England after fifteen years, traveling third-class to reconnect with a family unaware of his arrival.
Level C1ClassicsThe Return of Peter GrimmAn influential theater manager battles tradition and innovation while crafting unforgettable stage atmospheres.
Level C1ClassicsThe RetrospectAfter nearly four decades away, a woman returns to England from Australia, confronting the bittersweet nostalgia of home and the unexpected joys and challenges of reclaiming a past…
Level C1ClassicsThe Restless SexBorn into a world shaped by restless desires and inherited flaws, a little girl’s uncertain fate unfolds amid drifting parents, addiction, and fading dreams in a society obsessed w…
Level C1ClassicsThe Resources of Quinola: A Comedy in a Prologue and Five ActsIn 16th-century Spain, an unknown inventor builds a steam-powered ship that captivates thousands—only to scuttle it with his own hands in a dramatic act witnessed by a vast crowd.
Level C1ClassicsThe Research MagnificentDriven by an unyielding desire to live nobly, William Porphyry Benham embarks on a relentless quest to define and embody true aristocracy—not of birth, but of spirit—challenging th…
Level C1ClassicsThe RescueIn a quiet, old-fashioned country house, Ustace Damier uncovers a faded photograph of a mysterious young woman whose gaze seems to reach across decades, stirring a profound and urg…
Level C1ClassicsThe Reporter Who Made Himself KingA young, ambitious reporter with three years of hard-earned experience craves the thrill of war correspondence but finds none to cover—until an unexpected diplomatic post on a remo…
Level C1ClassicsThe Rendezvous: 1907In a serene autumn birch grove, a solitary young peasant girl waits with quiet sadness, her tears mingling with the soft rustle of leaves and fading sunlight.
Level C1ClassicsThe Remarkable History of Sir Thomas Upmore, bart., M.P., formerly known as "Tommy Upmore"A man of remarkable talents and mysterious powers faces public fascination and skepticism as he recounts his extraordinary life and challenges the limits of science and common sens…
Level C1ClassicsThe Relentless CityIn the bustling heart of London’s high society, the vivacious Mrs.
Level C1ClassicsThe Rejuvenation of Aunt MaryAunt Mary faces the challenge of her mischievous nephew Jack, whose repeated college troubles and wild antics threaten to derail his future.
Level C1ClassicsThe Reign of Law; a tale of the Kentucky hemp fieldsSet against the rugged Kentucky frontier, this tale explores the rise and decline of hemp cultivation, revealing the profound impact of this humble crop on a community’s fortunes,…
Level C1ClassicsThe Redemption of Kenneth GaltIn a quiet town touched by spring’s gentle glow, a compassionate young doctor notices the weariness of a beautiful organist burdened by family illness, setting the stage for a stor…
Level C1ClassicsThe Redemption of David CorsonIn a serene Ohio valley untouched by time, a young boy's innocent wonder unfolds beneath the watchful gaze of a wise woman, capturing the quiet beauty and profound mysteries of lif…
Level C1ClassicsThe Red and the Black: A Chronicle of 1830In post-Napoleonic France, ambitious Julien navigates a world where passion and power collide, revealing a complex character who defies simple judgment.
Level C1ClassicsThe Red RoomAmid the bustling streets and serene gardens of Stockholm, a young man wrestles with hope and defiance against the weight of his past and the challenges of his present.
Level C1ClassicsThe Red RoomA skeptical man accepts a chilling challenge to spend a night alone in the notorious Red Room, where eerie custodians and ancient fears linger.
Level C1ClassicsThe Red House Mystery: The Piccadilly NovelsPerched atop a bleak hill, the ominous Red House harbors dark secrets beneath its gloomy exterior, while its inhabitants grapple with sorrow, suspicion, and a haunting atmosphere t…
Level C1ClassicsThe RectorIn a genteel town where society thrives on tradition, the arrival of a mysterious new Rector stirs curiosity and speculation about his true beliefs and intentions, challenging the…
Level C1ClassicsThe Recruiting OfficerIn a bustling Shrewsbury market, a charismatic sergeant recruits men for the king’s army with wit and humor, navigating the lively characters and challenges of military life in thi…
Level C1ClassicsThe Recreations of a Country ParsonA country parson reflects on the unexpected challenges and quiet joys of embracing a life and place assigned by Providence, exploring the moral effort to find contentment and purpo…
Level C1ClassicsThe Record of Nicholas Freydon: An AutobiographyA restless soul flees London seeking peace of mind, only to confront the tangled memories of a life lived in pursuit of understanding.
Level C1ClassicsThe Real Thing and Other TalesA gentleman and a lady arrive shyly at an artist’s studio, hoping to become models for illustrations rather than formal portraits.
Level C1ClassicsThe Real CharlotteIn the sweltering streets of Dublin, youthful Francie Fitzpatrick navigates Sunday-school dramas, budding romances, and family duties, revealing the complex social tapestry behind…
Level C1ClassicsThe ReadjustmentAmidst the sunlit apricot orchards and bustling harvest, a seasoned judge and his spirited wife navigate family tensions and changing times, while a young college man challenges ol…