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 Maids TragedyTensions rise as noble Melantius returns to Rhodes, finding his friend Amintor unexpectedly wed to Evadne, sparking jealousy and grief in Aspatia, whose sorrow haunts the court.![Cover of The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 3: Books 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 by Kisari Mohan [Translator] Ganguli](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dagkqu6icedc739b5ubg.webp)
Level C1ClassicsThe Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 3: Books 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12Amidst the devastating Kurukshetra war, great warriors grieve lost comrades and prepare for fierce battles under new commanders, while a grieving king faces the painful consequence…![Cover of The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 2: Books 4, 5, 6 and 7 by Kisari Mohan [Translator] Ganguli](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da6qt6guvnas73829m50.webp)
Level C1ClassicsThe Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 2: Books 4, 5, 6 and 7Exiled and incognito, the Pandavas seek refuge in the kingdom of Virata, adopting new identities to evade their enemies.![Cover of The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Translated into English Prose: Vana Parva, Part 2 by Kisari Mohan [Translator] Ganguli](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da6k3qapmtvc73csnqv0.webp)
Level C1ClassicsThe Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Translated into English Prose: Vana Parva, Part 2Amidst a vast, enchanted forest, the mighty Pandava Bhima battles fierce beasts and encounters the powerful monkey-chief Hanuman blocking the path to heaven, setting the stage for…![Cover of The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Translated into English Prose: Adi Parva by Kisari Mohan [Translator] Ganguli](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da690hipmtvc73cshing.webp)
Level C1ClassicsThe Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Translated into English Prose: Adi ParvaDive into an epic saga of gods, heroes, and cosmic struggles, presented with faithful reverence to its ancient Sanskrit origins.
Level C1ClassicsThe Magnificent Lovers (Les Amants magnifiques)Two rival princes compete to win the heart of a princess during a lavish festival in the idyllic vale of Tempe, where gods and mortals mingle in a dazzling spectacle of love, music…
Level C1ClassicsThe Magistrate: A Farce in Three ActsA respectable magistrate’s orderly life unravels hilariously when a family secret threatens to surface, sparking a farcical chain of misunderstandings and comedic chaos in Victoria…
Level C1ClassicsThe Madonna of the FutureIn moonlit Florence, a chance encounter with a passionate aesthete sparks a haunting reflection on art’s fleeting glory and the elusive masterpiece—the dream and despair of artists…
Level C1ClassicsThe Mad Pranks of Tom Tram, Son-in-law to Mother Winter: To Which Are Added His Merry Jests, Odd Conceits, and Pleasant Tales.Meet Tom Tram, a mischievous son-in-law whose wild pranks and clever antics turn everyday situations into uproarious chaos, from whipping uncooperative beer pots to outwitting guar…
Level C1ClassicsThe Mad Lover, a Tragi-Comedy: The Works of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher (3 of 10)In a kingdom weary of war, the fierce General Memnon returns victorious, his blunt valor clashing with courtly life and the tender intrigues surrounding the king’s sister.
Level C1ClassicsThe Macdermots of BallycloranIn the remote Irish countryside, the decaying Ballycloran estate stands as a haunting symbol of faded glory and ruin, inviting a tale of hardship, lost grandeur, and the struggles…
Level C1ClassicsThe Lyrical Dramas of Aeschylus Translated into English VerseStep into the world of ancient Greek tragedy where rich, powerful language and haunting lyrical dramas unfold with timeless mystery and terror.
Level C1ClassicsThe Lunatic at LargeIn foggy London, a struggling young doctor receives a curious offer to care for a wealthy but mentally unstable gentleman abroad.
Level C1ClassicsThe Lumley AutographIn foggy London, a destitute poet clings to his final manuscript, torn between hunger and hope as he writes a desperate appeal to his patron.
Level C1ClassicsThe Luck of Roaring Camp and Other Tales: With Condensed Novels, Spanish and American Legends, and Earlier PapersVivid tales and sketches capture life in the American West, blending humor, romance, and local legends amid the rugged frontier.
Level C1ClassicsThe Lowest Rung: Together with The Hand on the Latch, St. Luke's Summer and The UnderstudyA writer reflects on the challenges of claiming her own work in a world eager to attribute her novels to others, revealing the misunderstandings and misidentifications behind her c…
Level C1ClassicsThe Lovels of ArdenReturning to England after seven years abroad, young Clarissa Lovel faces cold family indifference and an uncertain future as she journeys home to a diminished family estate, shari…
Level C1ClassicsThe Love of AzaleaIn a sleepy Japanese village, a young foreign minister’s efforts to uplift the town’s outcasts with music sparks curiosity and quiet rebellion.
Level C1ClassicsThe Love That PrevailedIn a small village, fiery debates ignite over faith, gain, and godliness as neighbors confront their beliefs and each other.
Level C1ClassicsThe Love Affairs of a BibliomaniacDive into the whimsical world of a devoted book collector whose passion for rare volumes leads to charming adventures, humorous missteps, and a heartfelt celebration of bibliomania…
Level C1ClassicsThe Love Affairs of Lord ByronDive into the turbulent world of a poet whose life is defined by a relentless parade of passionate entanglements, where love shapes his work, his heartbreaks, and ultimately, his v…
Level C1ClassicsThe Lost Pibroch, and other Sheiling StoriesIn a hidden woodland village, two pipers stumble upon a mysterious blind musician with a rare set of pipes, unlocking ancient melodies and secrets of a lost pibroch that echo throu…
Level C1ClassicsThe Lost DahliaAn unlucky woman recounts a lifetime of losing cherished possessions, from gloves to jewels, and even her way in the woods.
Level C1ClassicsThe Lords of High DecisionA powerful Pittsburgh family faces a pivotal moment as Colonel Craighill calls his children together, hinting at a life-changing announcement amid tensions over his future and the…
Level C1ClassicsThe Long Run: 1916After twelve years away, a man returns to New York and reconnects with his old friend Halston Merrick, once a promising free spirit now seemingly tamed by business and convention.
Level C1ClassicsThe Long Hillside: A Christmas Hare-Hunt In Old Virginia: 1908Boys claim the winter hares of old Virginia as their own, hunting with a lively pack of dogs and the help of spirited companions during a joyous Christmas hunt filled with traditio…
Level C1ClassicsThe Long AgoAmid the bustling city, memories of a grandmother's garden unfold—a sanctuary of childhood wonder, fragrant blooms, and tender moments that echo through the years, inviting you to…
Level C1ClassicsThe Lonely Way—Intermezzo—Countess Mizzie: Three PlaysStep into the vibrant, conflicted world of Vienna where tradition clashes with modernity, and passions simmer beneath the surface.
Level C1ClassicsThe LondonersIn the sweltering heat of a London May, Mrs.
Level C1ClassicsThe London VisitorA reluctant visitor trapped by social expectations finds her quiet life disrupted by the arrival of a mysterious London gentleman, drawing her into a bewildering tale of society, c…
Level C1ClassicsThe London ProdigalA wayward son squanders his inheritance and tests his family's patience with reckless debts and wild behavior, while his disguised father returns to secretly observe his prodigal l…
Level C1ClassicsThe Log of the Water Wagon; or, The Cruise of the Good Ship "Lithia"Embark on a whimsical voyage aboard the Water Wagon, a lively ship filled with spirited passengers navigating the perils of thirst and temptation on a dry, spirited cruise packed w…
Level C1ClassicsThe Lives of the Poets of Great Britain and Ireland (1753) Volume V.Dive into the fascinating biographies of Britain's and Ireland's most renowned poets, tracing their lives, literary achievements, and social circles from classical roots to 18th-ce…
Level C1ClassicsThe Lives of the Poets of Great Britain and Ireland (1753) Volume III.Explore the turbulent life of Sir John Denham, a 17th-century poet entangled in gambling, royal service, and political intrigue, whose celebrated works like "Cooper's Hill" earned…
Level C1ClassicsThe Live CorpseA woman torn between duty and desire leaves her husband, igniting family tensions and secrets in Moscow's high society.
Level C1ClassicsThe Little Pilgrim: Further Experiences.: Stories of the Seen and the Unseen.A newly arrived soul in a realm beyond earthly suffering longs to comfort those still trapped in pain, guided by a sage who reveals hidden mysteries and takes her on a journey back…
Level C1ClassicsThe Little MinisterIn a quiet Scottish village, a young minister arrives, carrying the hopes of his proud mother and the watchful eyes of the townsfolk.
Level C1ClassicsThe Little Man: A Farcical Morality in Three ScenesAt an Austrian railway station, a diverse group of travelers navigates cultural clashes and social tensions over simple requests and philosophies of equality.
Level C1ClassicsThe Little French Lawyer: A ComedyIn a world where honor demands duels and loyalty tests friendship, two gentlemen navigate love, pride, and societal expectations in a witty comedy set amidst French nobility and le…
Level C1ClassicsThe Little Cryptogram: A Literal Application to the Play of Hamlet of the Cipher System of Mr. Ignatius Donnelly.Delve into a groundbreaking application of a cipher system to Shakespeare's Hamlet, revealing hidden messages that challenge traditional authorship and uncover a secret history enc…![Cover of The Little Clay Cart [Mṛcchakaṭika] by Sūdraka](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da76qk9bccoc73elqbhg.webp)
Level C1ClassicsThe Little Clay Cart [Mṛcchakaṭika]In an ancient Indian drama, a humble cart maker’s life intertwines with those of nobles and courtesans, revealing a vibrant world of love, intrigue, and social contrasts.
Level C1ClassicsThe Little Angel, and Other StoriesThirteen-year-old Sashka endures cold, harsh punishments and school torment, fighting back with rebellion and mischief as he struggles against a bleak, unforgiving life.
Level C1ClassicsThe Literature of Arabia: With Critical and Biographical Sketches by Epiphanius WilsonStep into the heroic age of Arabia, where valor and poetry intertwine in the legendary tales of Antar—a warrior and poet whose adventures reveal a world of tribal loyalty, chivalry…
Level C1ClassicsThe Literary Shop, and Other TalesStep into a nostalgic old garret filled with treasured newspapers and forgotten stories, where the voices of anxious readers and simple poems reveal a vanished literary world.
Level C1ClassicsThe Lion's ShareIn an Essex village where tradition and sharp wit collide, Audrey navigates the quiet tensions of her family estate and the ever-watchful Miss Ingate, whose keen insight into human…
Level C1ClassicsThe LimitIn a world where appearances and social strategy reign, a husband and wife navigate the delicate dance of matchmaking and societal expectations, as a dinner party becomes the stage…
Level C1ClassicsThe Lights and Shadows of Real LifeExplore the intertwining light and shadow of human experience, where adversity and moral struggle shape the path toward hope and renewal.
Level C1ClassicsThe Lighter Side of English LifeA foreign aviator’s unexpected landing in a quaint English village reveals the charming insularity and pride of its inhabitants, who see their small world as the center of all impo…