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 Girl from the Marsh CroftIn a rural courtroom, a young, vulnerable farmer’s daughter faces a harsh trial as she seeks support from a prosperous married man, challenging the rigid judgments of society and t…
Level C1ClassicsThe Gilded Age, Part 7.A gripping courtroom drama unfolds as Henry Brierly testifies about a shocking shooting involving Miss Hawkins and Colonel Selby, revealing tangled relationships, secrets, and a de…
Level C1ClassicsThe Gilded Age, Part 6.In the wake of political victory, Philip races to uncover the mystery behind Laura's sudden disappearance and her unexpected alliance with Harry, navigating a landscape of power, i…
Level C1ClassicsThe Gilded Age, Part 5.In the tangled world of politics and society, Laura Hawkins navigates charm and strategy to secure alliances, all while concealing her true intentions behind a delicate facade of w…
Level C1ClassicsThe Gilded Age, Part 4.In the heart of Wall Street, an engineer confronts financial chaos and corporate deception as he struggles to secure wages for laborers amid missing funds and mounting debts, revea…
Level C1ClassicsThe Gilded Age, Part 3.In the bustling town of Hawkeye, a charming land speculator weaves his way through society, using wit, influence, and a touch of flirtation to navigate the tangled politics and amb…
Level C1ClassicsThe Gilded Age, Part 2.In a small town rife with gossip, Laura discovers troubling secrets about her birth and her connection to a disgraced former congressman.
Level C1ClassicsThe Gilded Age, Part 1.In a sleepy mountain town where life drifts slowly and the mail arrives monthly, the townsfolk gather to share news, trade gossip, and face the quiet struggles of rural life amid f…
Level C1ClassicsThe Giant's RobeIn the imposing halls of St.
Level C1ClassicsThe Ghost of Jerry BundlerIn a cozy, old-fashioned hotel, a group of commercial travelers gather to share eerie tales, centering on a haunted house no tenant can endure.
Level C1ClassicsThe GhostIn the wealthy, historic streets of Boston's Beacon Hill, a mysterious ghost lingers on a bitter Christmas Eve, silently watching for someone as the biting wind howls through the n…
Level C1ClassicsThe Ghetto: A Drama in Four ActsIn the heart of Amsterdam's Ghetto, tensions simmer between tradition and change as a young musician's secret passions ignite conflict within a tight-knit community.
Level C1ClassicsThe German Classics, v. 20: Masterpieces of German Literature Translated into EnglishIn a quiet French town, the sudden death of a retired lawyer under mysterious circumstances sparks rumors and suspicion among the townsfolk.
Level C1ClassicsThe German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, Volume 11: Masterpieces of German Literature Translated Into EnglishDive into a richly detailed exploration of 19th-century German literature and its pivotal role in shaping liberal thought through vivid biographies and translations of influential…
Level C1ClassicsThe German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, Volume 09: Friedrich Hebbel and Otto LudwigDelve into the lives and works of Friedrich Hebbel and Otto Ludwig, two powerful German dramatists of the 19th century, whose struggles and artistic triumphs reflect a passionate q…
Level C1ClassicsThe German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, Volume 08: Masterpieces of German Literature Translated into EnglishExplore the rich tapestry of rural life through vivid stories and illustrations that trace the journey from birth to death in traditional German villages.
Level C1ClassicsThe German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, Volume 04: Masterpieces of German Literature Translated into English. in Twenty VolumesExplore the rich tapestry of German Romantic literature and art through intimate portraits, philosophical essays, and enchanting tales by masters like Jean Paul, Novalis, and Heinr…
Level C1ClassicsThe German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, Volume 02: Masterpieces of German Literature Translated into English. in Twenty VolumesIn a serene marriage tested by unexpected passions, two middle-aged souls confront the unpredictable forces that challenge duty and desire.
Level C1ClassicsThe George Sand-Gustave Flaubert LettersExperience the rich, candid correspondence between two literary giants as they navigate friendship, ideological clashes, and personal growth amid the turbulence of 19th-century Fra…
Level C1ClassicsThe Gentleman from IndianaIn a quiet Indiana town where life moves slowly and the world beyond seems distant, a young man arrives to stir the settled rhythms of Plattville.
Level C1ClassicsThe Gentle GrafterIn a flood-isolated Texas town, two cunning men seize control of all the saloons, turning Bird City into their personal stronghold.
Level C1ClassicsThe Genial Idiot: His Views and ReviewsDive into a witty debate as a skeptical thinker challenges the timeless wisdom of proverbs, revealing their contradictions and questioning their role in shaping character through s…
Level C1ClassicsThe Gay Lord Quex: A Comedy in Four ActsIn a vibrant London manicure parlor, sharp wit and social intrigue unfold over the course of twenty-four hours, weaving comedy through the tangled lives of its colorful characters…
Level C1ClassicsThe Gay Gnani of Gingalee; or, Discords of Devolution: A Tragical Entanglement of Modern Mysticism and Modern ScienceIn a world where mysticism clashes with modern science, a cautious occultist is drawn into temptation by a daring friend promising a glimpse of forbidden knowledge—and a mysterious…
Level C1ClassicsThe Gates BetweenA seasoned physician recounts an extraordinary event that defies his scientific understanding, revealing a mysterious encounter that challenges his lifelong worldview and compels h…
Level C1ClassicsThe Garies and Their FriendsIn a Philadelphia divided by freedom and slavery, a distinguished free African American family navigates social challenges and aspirations amid a society shaped by race and resilie…
Level C1ClassicsThe Garden God: A Tale of Two BoysA retired scholar reflects on a life of quiet solitude, cherishing memories both real and imagined, as he contemplates love, friendship, and the passage of time in a peaceful, time…
Level C1ClassicsThe Gamester (1753)A gripping exploration of gambling’s destructive grip on a man’s life unfolds in this powerful middle-class tragedy.
Level C1ClassicsThe Game of Chess: A Play in One ActIn a richly appointed room, two men engage in a tense chess game that mirrors political strategy and personal cunning, while a mysterious visitor arrives, prompting secrets and pow…
Level C1ClassicsThe GameA young boxer faces the final fight that promises a fresh start with his love, yet the brutal pull of the ring challenges their bond and reveals the fierce, unyielding man beneath…
Level C1ClassicsThe Gambler: A NovelA reserved Englishman journeys through misty Irish roads to visit an old friend after decades apart, uncovering contrasts between their lives and the vibrant spirit of Ireland’s ru…
Level C1ClassicsThe GamblerIn a glittering casino town, a tutor entangled with aristocrats struggles against his own gambling addiction while navigating secrets, debts, and high society’s shifting alliances.
Level C1ClassicsThe Fête At Coqueville: 1907In the isolated fishing village of Coqueville, two rival families—the ancient Mahés and the rising Floches—battle for power and pride amid harsh seas and fierce enmity, while a for…
Level C1ClassicsThe Fugitive: A Play in Four ActsTensions simmer in a London drawing-room as George Dedmond confronts the mysterious absence of his wife Clare on a night meant for Bridge and social games.
Level C1ClassicsThe Front Yard, and Other Italian StoriesIn a sun-drenched Italian town, Prudence Wilkin battles the grime and decay that mar her new home, fixating on a decrepit cow-shed blocking her path as she dreams of reclaiming her…
Level C1ClassicsThe FrogsWhen the god Dionysus longs to bring back the golden age of Greek tragedy, he journeys to the underworld to challenge the spirits of great playwrights and restore true artistry to…
Level C1ClassicsThe FreelandsIn the quiet English countryside, a laborer faces an uncertain future as life stirs around him, while in London, Felix Freeland navigates a world of cultural critique and social ob…
Level C1ClassicsThe Free PressIn a world dominated by corrupt and controlled media, a small but powerful Free Press rises to expose the truth and challenge the lies that shape politics and society.
Level C1ClassicsThe Fourth GenerationGenerations bear the weight of ancestral actions—sometimes as a burden, sometimes as a ladder to rise.
Level C1ClassicsThe Fourth Estate, vol. 2Two daring friends navigate the lively streets and social intrigues of Sarrio, where youthful rebellion, secret romances, and sharp rivalries unfold under the cover of night.
Level C1ClassicsThe Fourth Estate, vol. 1In a humble coastal town's modest theater, the local residents find escape and drama mirroring grand stages like Milan’s La Scala, weaving together the lives of seamen, traders, an…
Level C1ClassicsThe Fortunes of the Colville Family; or, A Cloud with its Silver LiningIn the shadow of loss, a grieving family navigates the delicate balance between sorrow and hope during a Christmas marked by absence and resilience.
Level C1ClassicsThe Fortunes of Oliver HornIn the fragrant, sunlit Kennedy Square of the 1850s, the enigmatic inventor Richard Horn and his elusive son Oliver weave a tale of invention, art, and youthful mystery amid charmi…
Level C1ClassicsThe Fortunes of GlencoreIn a world where polished society masks deep passions and shifting motives, the tale of Glencore unfolds through keen observations of character and the subtle complexities of human…
Level C1ClassicsThe Fortunate YouthIn a grim northern town, young Paul Kegworthy stands out with his striking beauty amidst a harsh, loveless household ruled by his cruel stepfather and resentful mother.
Level C1ClassicsThe Fortunate Foundlings: Being the Genuine History of Colonel M——Rs, and His Sister, Madam Du P——Y, the Issue of the Hon. Ch——Es M——Rs, Son of the Late Duke of R—— L——D. Containing Many Wonderful Accidents That Befel Them in Their Travels, and Interspersed with the Characters and Adventures of Several Persons of Condition, In the Most Polite Courts of Europe. the Whole Calculated for the Entertainment and Improvement of the Youth of Both Sexes.Two foundlings of noble descent navigate perilous adventures and courtly intrigues across Europe, facing battles, betrayals, and unexpected alliances.
Level C1ClassicsThe Forlorn Hope: A Novel (Vol. 2 of 2)Amidst London’s high society, a man grapples with the unexpected depth of his grief over his wife’s death, while those around him navigate delicate social facades and hidden emotio…
Level C1ClassicsThe Forlorn Hope: A Novel (Vol. 1 of 2)In the remote, mist-shrouded Highlands, Sir Duncan Forbes arrives at Kilsyth amidst a gathering of intriguing military and noble guests, while a mysterious illness befalls Miss Kil…