Classics
Read Classics Classics in English
5,487 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 NewspaperExplore the intricate organization and global influence of the newspaper press, revealing its pivotal role in shaping public opinion and modern communication.
Level C1ClassicsThe Newcomes: Memoirs of a Most Respectable FamilyIn a vivid pastoral scene where cunning animals don disguises and clash with nature’s order, a wolf in sheep’s clothing threatens innocence while a donkey's roar shakes the meadow—…
Level C1ClassicsThe New Woman: An Original Comedy, in Four ActsIn a lively drawing-room debate, a traditional colonel and his friend grapple with the rising tide of the "New Woman"—educated, independent, and challenging societal norms—while aw…
Level C1ClassicsThe New Pun BookDive into a witty collection of clever puns and sharp wordplay, where language twists and turns with unexpected juxtapositions, delivering humor and insight without resorting to sl…
Level C1ClassicsThe New Mistress: A TaleA proud woman faces the harsh realities of reduced circumstances as she begins her new life teaching in a small, struggling town.
Level C1ClassicsThe New Minister's Great Opportunity: First published in the "Century Magazine"A newly appointed minister faces the daunting task of crafting a meaningful funeral sermon for the unremarkable Uncle Capen, whose simple life offers little inspiration.
Level C1ClassicsThe New MagdalenAmid the tense backdrop of the 1870 Franco-German war, a French captain and his surgeons guard a fragile victory in a secluded village cottage, where two Englishwomen find themselv…
Level C1ClassicsThe New MachiavelliA restless man at forty-two wrestles with the clash between personal passion and the lofty dream of statecraft, drawing inspiration from Machiavelli’s troubled genius to explore th…
Level C1ClassicsThe New Adam and Eve (From "Mosses from an Old Manse")In a deserted modern city, two newly created beings awaken as a new Adam and Eve, exploring the strange remnants of human civilization and grappling with the contrast between natur…
Level C1ClassicsThe Nether WorldIn the shadowed streets of London, an aged man searches for a mysterious Snowdon near the grim Middlesex House of Detention, while a young girl named Jane Snowdon listens in, setti…
Level C1ClassicsThe Nest, The White Pagoda, The Suicide, A Forsaken Temple, Miss Jones and the MasterpieceA man facing imminent death reflects on life, love, and the work that defines him during a poignant train journey to the countryside, where the quiet moments before the end reveal…
Level C1ClassicsThe Nephews: A Play, in Five Acts.In a world of family secrets and contested inheritances, two brothers clash under the watchful eyes of their stern guardian and influential father, navigating love, suspicion, and…
Level C1ClassicsThe Ned M'Keown Stories: Traits And Stories Of The Irish Peasantry, The Works of: William Carleton, Volume ThreeExplore vivid tales that challenge stereotypes about the Irish peasantry, revealing their true character beyond caricature and prejudice through rich stories of tradition, wit, and…
Level C1ClassicsThe Natural History of the GentA sharp satire exposes the absurd pretensions of the "Gent," a newly coined term for a social type obsessed with style but lacking true gentlemanly qualities.
Level C1ClassicsThe NabobA charming tale unfolds through the intimate lens of home life, tracing the journey of a spirited French writer whose sunny childhood and Bohemian dreams intertwine with fortune, f…
Level C1ClassicsThe Mystics: A NovelIn a remote Scottish house, a young man awaits his uncle’s death, feeling a tumultuous mix of dread and liberation.
Level C1ClassicsThe Mystery of Witch-Face Mountain, and Other StoriesIn the shadow of Witch-Face Mountain, a mysterious visage appears and vanishes with the shifting light, sparking eerie legends and a rugged woodsman’s pride.
Level C1ClassicsThe Mysterious Wanderer, Vol. III: A Novel in Three VolumesA young woman defies a ruthless grandfather’s command to marry a man she detests, risking confinement and death to protect her love.
Level C1ClassicsThe Mysterious Wanderer, Vol. IA troubled youth named Henry St.
Level C1ClassicsThe Mysterious Stranger, and Other StoriesIn a remote 16th-century Austrian village steeped in superstition and rigid faith, two priests embody starkly different beliefs—one fearless against the Devil, the other gentle and…
Level C1ClassicsThe Mysteries of Paris, illustrated with etchings, Vol. 4In the bustling heart of Paris, young Rigolette, a hardworking needlewoman, faces her first sorrow amid the city's harsh realities.
Level C1ClassicsThe Mysteries of Paris, illustrated with etchings, Vol. 3In the heart of Paris, a spirited young grisette navigates love, poverty, and survival with candid charm, revealing the struggles and hopes of the city's working class through live…
Level C1ClassicsThe Mysteries of Paris, illustrated with etchings, Vol. 2In the glittering Parisian high society, the boisterous and awkward M.
Level C1ClassicsThe Mysteries of Montreal: Being Recollections of a Female PhysicianA female physician recounts her journey from Hamburg to America and back, challenging societal norms by pursuing a medical career in obstetrics amidst skepticism and cultural resis…
Level C1ClassicsThe Muse of the DepartmentIn the historic town of Sancerre, where vineyards flourish and old rivalries simmer, a powerful woman schemes to rally local politics around a rising champion, revealing the intric…
Level C1ClassicsThe Mudfog papers, etc.In the quirky town of Mudfog, where water misbehaves and debates stretch into the night, coal-dealer Nicholas Tulrumble navigates public life with quiet humor and unexpected wisdom…
Level C1ClassicsThe Mud LarksAmidst the chaos of the trenches, soldiers find unexpected camaraderie and comic relief in the antics of two mischievous ferrets battling a rat infestation underground, revealing t…
Level C1ClassicsThe MountebankA Brigadier-General entrusts a friend with his chaotic, candid manuscript—excluding his war exploits—to reveal the true man behind the medals, blending English reserve with French…
Level C1ClassicsThe Mother's Recompense, Volume 2: A Sequel to Home InfluenceA young woman’s joyful transformation sparks curiosity amid a close-knit group devoted to charity and companionship.
Level C1ClassicsThe Mother's Recompense, Volume 1: A Sequel to Home InfluenceA young woman struggles with the challenges of leaving her beloved country home for the daunting life and rigorous studies awaiting her in London, revealing the bittersweet journey…
Level C1ClassicsThe Morning Glory ClubIn a small New England town, Mrs.
Level C1ClassicsThe Morgesons: A NovelA young woman wrestles with her environment, ambition, and the expectations of society as she embarks on a journey of self-discovery through her writing and the tangled lives of th…
Level C1ClassicsThe Morals of Marcus Ordeyne : a NovelA former schoolmaster inherits a vast family legacy after a tragic disaster, abruptly transforming his life and forcing him to navigate new duties and complex relationships in Vict…
Level C1ClassicsThe Moorland CottageIn a secluded upland cottage, two children navigate the quiet rhythms of life and the shadow of their late father’s absence.
Level C1ClassicsThe MonsterA newlywed couple basks in tropical bliss, yet beneath their passionate embrace lies a mysterious letter that threatens to unravel their perfect honeymoon and reveal a dark, monstr…
Level C1ClassicsThe Money Master, Volume 5.Haunted by memories and lost love, Jean Jacques confronts the shadows of his past as he visits the grave of Carmen Dolores, a woman whose life was marked by passion, sorrow, and a…
Level C1ClassicsThe Money Master, Volume 4.Amid mounting misfortunes, Jean Jacques juggles a vast, tangled empire of mills, farms, and money-lending, struggling to maintain control and reputation while creditors close in an…
Level C1ClassicsThe Money Master, Volume 3.A fragile English actor recuperates in a close-knit French-Canadian parish, where his charm and mysterious past stir both fascination and suspicion.
Level C1ClassicsThe Money Master, Volume 2.Thirteen years after the Old Cure’s death, Jean Jacques Barbille thrives as a shrewd businessman and philosopher in a small parish, juggling mills, farms, and money-lending while s…
Level C1ClassicsThe Money Master, Volume 1.Amid the rugged beauty and deep-rooted traditions of French Canada, Jean Jacques Barbille—a poet, philosopher, and adventurer—navigates a life marked by passion, loss, and relentle…
Level C1ClassicsThe Money Master, CompleteIn the heart of French Canada, Jean Jacques Barbille embodies the virtues and flaws of his proud heritage, navigating a life marked by passion, risk, and loss.
Level C1ClassicsThe Monctons: A Novel. Volume 2 (of 2)A young man’s hopes are shattered when the woman he loves, now a wealthy heiress, distances herself under her family’s control.
Level C1ClassicsThe Moccasin MakerExplore the vibrant spirit of indigenous life and heritage through heartfelt stories and poetry that celebrate nature, culture, and personal history, revealing a unique voice devot…
Level C1ClassicsThe Mob: A Play in Four ActsIn a tense dining-room debate, idealist Stephen More clashes with family and countrymen over the morality of imperial war and conquest, challenging the nation's honor and his own c…
Level C1ClassicsThe Mission Of Mr. Eustace Greyne: 1905In foggy Belgrave Square, a celebrated novelist sends her devoted husband on a delicate mission far from London—to Algeria—unfolding a tale of intrigue and unexpected challenges be…
Level C1ClassicsThe Missing LinkA cunning trickster known as Nickie the Kid navigates a world where honesty is scarce and survival depends on wit and deception.
Level C1ClassicsThe Misses Mallett (The Bridge Dividing)On a radiant spring day in the countryside, Rose Mallett enjoys the freedom of her familiar land but faces a complicated affection from Francis Sales, whose worry over family duty…
Level C1ClassicsThe MiserIn a Parisian household ruled by a miser whose greed alienates his own children, secret loves and cunning schemes unfold as young lovers risk everything to win approval and happine…