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 Hampstead mystery: a novel. Volume 3 (of 3)A family's quiet life in Hampstead unravels as Henry's mysterious illness and irritability cast shadows over his home, forcing loved ones to confront secrets and strained loyalties…
Level C1ClassicsThe Hallam SuccessionIn the heart of Yorkshire, the proud Hallam family prepares to welcome distant American relatives whose different ways and faith challenge their old English traditions.
Level C1ClassicsThe Hall and the Grange: A NovelIn the tranquil English countryside, two brothers—Colonel Eldridge and Sir William—reconnect amidst sprawling gardens and stately homes, revealing contrasting views on life, legacy…
Level C1ClassicsThe Hairy ApeIn the cramped, roaring firemen's quarters of a transatlantic liner, Yank stands as the fiercest and most powerful coal shoveler, embodying raw strength and primal defiance amid th…
Level C1ClassicsThe Güegüence; A Comedy Ballet in the Nahuatl-Spanish Dialect of NicaraguaIn a vibrant blend of Nahuatl and Spanish, this comedic ballet unveils the spirited humor and cultural roots of Nicaragua’s native peoples, capturing their unique language and trad…
Level C1ClassicsThe Gypsy Queen's VowUnder a stormy March night, a fierce gypsy woman races toward the shadowed city of London, driven by desperation and a burning vow.
Level C1ClassicsThe Gundungurra LanguageExplore the rich structure of the Gundungurra language, revealing unique dual and plural forms, intricate noun inflections, and phonetic nuances that connect Australian Aboriginal…
Level C1ClassicsThe Guinea Stamp: A Tale of Modern GlasgowOrphaned and impoverished, young Gladys Graham faces the harsh realities of life in a dreary fenland village, grappling with the challenge of turning her modest talents into a mean…
Level C1ClassicsThe Guest of QuesnayOn a bustling Paris boulevard teeming with an eclectic parade of global characters, a strikingly disfigured man arrives in a conspicuous white touring car, capturing the attention…
Level C1ClassicsThe Guermantes WayIn a quiet new neighborhood within the prestigious Hôtel de Guermantes, a young narrator and his devoted servant Françoise grapple with upheaval, memory, and the elusive search for…
Level C1ClassicsThe Guardian AngelExplore the haunting legacy of inherited traits and moral struggles as Myrtle Hazard confronts the echoes of her ancestors' flaws, weaving a tale that probes the limits of human re…
Level C1ClassicsThe Growth of a SoulAmid the spirited and unruly world of university life in Upsala, a young student named John confronts the harsh realities of competition, social divides, and ambition while strivin…
Level C1ClassicsThe Grip of Desire: The Story of a Parish-PriestA parish priest grapples with desire and faith in a quiet village, challenging traditional morals with his unconventional beliefs about work, prayer, and goodness.
Level C1ClassicsThe Grim Smile of the Five TownsIn the industrial heartland of the Five Towns, a young man’s devotion to his frail half-brother leads to a tragic accident that unravels their lives and exposes the harsh realities…
Level C1ClassicsThe Grey Woman and other TalesAt a quiet mill by the Neckar River, a storm brings unexpected guests into the miller’s home, revealing a family rich in history and mystery.
Level C1ClassicsThe Grey Wig: Stories and NovelettesTwo aging women, Madame Valière and Madame Dépine, coexist in a cramped Parisian hotel, bound by shared history yet divided by silence and rivalry.
Level C1ClassicsThe Grey MonkOn a stormy October night, a proud baronet wrestles with the shame of his eldest son's reckless gambling and estrangement, while rare coins and family legacies cast long shadows ov…
Level C1ClassicsThe Grey LadyTwo brothers bound by a seafaring legacy face a devastating blow when one fails the naval exam, shattering their shared dreams of life on the ocean wave.
Level C1ClassicsThe Green Mirror: A Quiet StoryIn a fog-shrouded London square steeped in history and quiet tradition, the steady, unchanging life within an old house unfolds against the backdrop of a city on the brink of trans…
Level C1ClassicsThe Green CarnationIn glittering London society, the charismatic and unapologetically self-adoring Reginald Hastings revels in scandal and spectacle, challenging conventions with his bold embrace of…
Level C1ClassicsThe Grecian DaughterIn a gripping tragedy of valor and virtue, a daughter’s fierce devotion challenges tyranny and ignites a nation’s fight for freedom.
Level C1ClassicsThe Greatest Plague of Life: or, the Adventures of a Lady in Search of a Good Servant.A determined lady navigates the trials of domestic life while searching for a trustworthy servant amid the chaos of ungrateful staff, all against the backdrop of her family's strug…
Level C1ClassicsThe Greatest Heiress in EnglandIn a quiet country town, a wealthy old man lives comfortably under the care of his modest relatives, whose lives revolve around managing his household and children.
Level C1ClassicsThe Greater InclinationA young admirer becomes captivated by Mary Anerton, the elusive muse behind beloved poetry, whose guarded life and complex relationships with famed poet Vincent Rendle reveal a wor…
Level C1ClassicsThe Great ReturnWhen a mysterious transfiguration of a revered lama and strange poltergeist phenomena surface in distant lands, the boundary between the known and the inexplicable begins to blur,…
Level C1ClassicsThe Great Miss DriverIn a quiet English town, Nicholas Driver rises from humble tanner to powerful landowner, shaping the social landscape with ambition and cunning.
Level C1ClassicsThe Great Adventure: A Play of Fancy in Four ActsIn a dusty London apartment, a mysterious, ailing man arrives under the care of his quick-witted servant, sparking urgent medical attention and whispered secrets.
Level C1ClassicsThe Gray AngelsIn the quiet town of Birge’s Corners, generations clash over tradition and change amid the lingering echoes of old aristocracy by the emerald waters of Birge’s Lake.
Level C1ClassicsThe GrandeeSet in the changing landscape of 19th-century Spain, this novel explores the clash between romantic ideals and emerging realism through the life of a young man torn between traditi…
Level C1ClassicsThe Grandchildren of the GhettoAt a Christmas Eve dinner steeped in Jewish tradition and tension, the upper-middle-class Goldsmith family navigates the delicate balance between faith, social expectation, and mod…
Level C1ClassicsThe Graftons: A NovelAmidst the backdrop of English country life before the war, intertwined families and social changes unfold quietly, offering a glimpse into a world where tradition clashes with eme…
Level C1ClassicsThe Goose GirlA weary old traveler shadows a cheerful goose-girl as she tends her flock through a lively mountain kingdom on the brink of conflict.
Level C1ClassicsThe Good Time ComingA wealthy man leaves behind the relentless business world to create his ideal rural paradise, hoping to find peace and happiness.
Level C1ClassicsThe Good SoldierIn a serene European spa town, intertwined lives and genteel friendships mask deeper mysteries and quiet tragedies among the Ashburnhams and their close acquaintances.
Level C1ClassicsThe Good Gray Poet, A VindicationA powerful tribute reveals the overlooked grandeur of a poet whose humble appearance masks a majestic spirit embodying democracy itself.
Level C1ClassicsThe Golden Woman: A Story of the Montana HillsIn the rugged Montana hills, a fearless young woman lives under the shadow of her formidable aunt, a discredited seer whose mysterious past and stern demeanor conceal a lifetime of…
Level C1ClassicsThe Golden Maiden, and other folk tales and fairy stories told in ArmeniaDiscover the rich tapestry of Armenian folklore, where ancient traditions and enduring faith intertwine through captivating tales passed down by generations of resilient mountain v…
Level C1ClassicsThe Golden Link of FriendshipExplore the profound power of friendship through timeless reflections and inspiring quotes that reveal its role in shaping character, offering refuge, and enriching life with trust…
Level C1ClassicsThe Golden HouseIn a lavish city studio at midnight, an elite audience gathers to witness the mysterious and provocative art of an ancient Spanish dance, where beauty, passion, and danger intertwi…
Level C1ClassicsThe Golden FloodA young man unexpectedly arrives at a prestigious Wall Street bank with a mysterious $100,000 deposit and a letter of introduction, sparking intrigue in a world of high finance and…
Level C1ClassicsThe Golden CalfIn a strict English school ruled by the formidable Miss Pew, Ida Palliser's defiance and untidy desk spark tension and rebellion, revealing the simmering conflicts beneath rigid au…
Level C1ClassicsThe Golden Bowl — CompleteA restless prince navigates the glittering streets of London, freshly bound by an impending marriage that promises to shift the course of his life—amid intricate social dances, cul…
Level C1ClassicsThe Golden AsseA curious traveler named Lucius embarks on a transformative journey filled with enchanting fables and moral lessons, where myth and philosophy intertwine to reveal the deeper truth…
Level C1ClassicsThe God of His Fathers: Tales of the KlondykeSet against the harsh wilderness of the Klondyke, these tales explore the clash between ancient traditions and the relentless advance of civilization, following indomitable men and…
Level C1ClassicsThe God in the Car: A NovelIn a world of high society and sharp wit, a circle of influential figures navigates old grudges, business intrigues, and delicate alliances, as a forgotten past stirs beneath their…
Level C1ClassicsThe Glory of Clementina WingIn a quiet, prim London street, an uncompromising portrait painter wrestles with art, money, and disillusionment while navigating complex relationships and the clash between youthf…
Level C1ClassicsThe Glebe 1913/11 (Vol. 1, No. 2): Diary of a SuicideA young man chronicles his harrowing battle with despair, exhaustion, and the search for meaning amid life's relentless struggles.
Level C1ClassicsThe Girl with the Golden EyesIn the restless heart of Paris, a city pulsing with fiery passions and relentless desire, a mysterious girl with golden eyes captivates amid a world consumed by gold and pleasure.