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 Exclusives (vol. 1 of 3)Enter Lady Tilney’s boudoir, a vibrant salon where fashion, politics, and art collide under her commanding rule.
Level C1ClassicsThe Everlasting ArmsAmidst the turmoil of war, men debate the mysterious appearances of angels at Mons—spiritual guardians whose presence challenges skepticism and offers comfort beyond death.
Level C1ClassicsThe Eustace DiamondsLizzie Greystock, young and charming but burdened by her late father's debts, navigates society’s intrigues and financial entanglements to reclaim her pawned jewels and secure a we…
Level C1ClassicsThe EuropeansIn a chilly Boston inn, a restless woman watches the city's bustle and its strange new omnibus, while a young artist sketches nearby—setting the stage for a clash of European sophi…
Level C1ClassicsThe Eulogy of Richard JefferiesA vivid memoir tracing the life of Richard Jefferies, a humble yet gifted nature writer who, despite poverty and illness, captures the beauty of rural England with unmatched eloque…
Level C1ClassicsThe Eternal CityIn the chilly streets of London’s Italian quarter, a poor boy clings to survival with his accordion and a caged squirrel, navigating hardship and harsh realities.
Level C1ClassicsThe Esperantist, Vol. 1, No. 9Dive into the world of Esperanto as enthusiasts share news, resources, and strategies to spread this international language, from typewriters equipped for Esperanto to youth educat…
Level C1ClassicsThe Esperantist, Vol. 1, No. 5Explore the vibrant world of Esperanto advocacy in this early 20th-century gazette, featuring debates on language reforms, community news, and tools for learning the international…
Level C1ClassicsThe Esperantist, Vol. 1, No. 4Discover the passionate efforts of the London Esperanto Club as they champion a universal language to unite diverse nations, overcoming prejudice and ignorance with hope and determ…
Level C1ClassicsThe Esperantist, Vol. 1, No. 3Dive into the early 20th-century movement to spread Esperanto, featuring heartfelt testimonials, practical resources, and community efforts to unite speakers worldwide through a sh…
Level C1ClassicsThe Esperantist, Vol. 1, No. 13Dive into the vibrant world of Esperanto advocacy with insights on international communication, organizational challenges, and cultural connections, including a Himalayan monk's em…
Level C1ClassicsThe Esperantist, Vol. 1, No. 12Join a pioneering community united by Esperanto, as this gazette spreads the international language that bridges nations, shares knowledge, and fosters global connection through ar…
Level C1ClassicsThe Esperantist, CompleteDiscover the passionate movement behind Esperanto, a universal language designed to unite people across nations with ease and hope.
Level C1ClassicsThe Entire March Family TrilogyA newly married couple embarks on a quiet wedding journey through America, navigating love, regret, and the unpredictable storms of both nature and life.
Level C1ClassicsThe Entail; or, The Lairds of GrippyIn a richly drawn Scottish landscape, the tangled inheritance of the Grippy estate unravels through vivid characters and sharp social insight, revealing the complex ties that bind…
Level C1ClassicsThe English and Scottish popular ballads, volume 4 (of 5)Dive into the rugged borderlands where honor clashes with betrayal in ballads like Hobie Noble's tale of exile, loyalty, and daring escapes.
Level C1ClassicsThe English and Scottish popular ballads, volume 3 (of 5)Dive into the rugged world of border ballads where a defiant young hunter, Johnie Cock, defies game laws, battles seven foresters, and relies on a loyal bird to send messages to hi…
Level C1ClassicsThe English and Scottish popular ballads, volume 2 (of 5)Discover the rich tapestry of English and Scottish ballads, where ancient tales of miracles, folklore, and legendary heroes come alive through captivating narratives and timeless s…
Level C1ClassicsThe English and Scottish popular ballads, volume 1 (of 5)Dive into a rich collection of English and Scottish ballads painstakingly gathered from manuscripts and oral traditions, revealing centuries-old tales preserved through dedicated s…
Level C1ClassicsThe English Rogue: Described in the Life of Meriton Latroon, a Witty ExtravagantFollow the wild exploits of Meriton Latroon, whose witty extravagance and roguish adventures reveal the raw, unvarnished face of vice amid licentious times, blending candid confess…
Level C1ClassicsThe English Rogue: Continued in the Life of Meriton Latroon, and Other Extravagants, Comprehending the most Eminent Cheats of Both Sexes: The Third PartIn a world rife with deceit and vice, cunning Mrs.
Level C1ClassicsThe English Mail-Coach and Joan of ArcExperience the thrilling rush of the English mail-coach's relentless journey and delve into a vivid, dreamlike exploration of Joan of Arc's vision, blending motion, mortality, and…
Level C1ClassicsThe End of the TetherCaptain Whalley commands the aging steamer Sofala on a familiar, unchanging coastal route through the Far East, haunted by a lifetime of daring voyages now reduced to a monotonous…
Level C1ClassicsThe Empty SackAn aging bank clerk faces the harsh realities of business when his request for a raise is met with cold efficiency and tough decisions.
Level C1ClassicsThe Emigrants Of Ahadarra: The Works of William Carleton, Volume TwoA weary father and his daughter visit a wealthy but neglectful farmer’s estate, where abundance is marred by slovenliness and decay.
Level C1ClassicsThe Emblems of Fidelity: A Comedy in LettersAn esteemed English novelist and a rising American writer exchange witty letters blending literary camaraderie with charming requests, revealing a garden of kinship, creativity, an…
Level C1ClassicsThe EmancipatedIn sunlit Naples, a young English widow wrestles with exile, fading health, and the sharp tensions of family and faith.
Level C1ClassicsThe Elm-tree on the MallIn a richly detailed salon of a Cardinal-Archbishop, power and piety intertwine as church leaders navigate political unrest and personal ambitions.
Level C1ClassicsThe Eleven Comedies, Volume 2An old Athenian juryman’s obsession with the courts traps him in a comic battle of wills with his son, who locks him indoors to break his addiction—sparking wild escape attempts an…
Level C1ClassicsThe Eleven Comedies, Volume 1Dive into a world of biting satire, political intrigue, and uproarious farce as eleven ancient comedies expose the follies, scandals, and personalities of Athenian life with sharp…
Level C1ClassicsThe ElevatorIn a finely detailed Boston drawing-room, a Christmas dinner gathers a mix of anxious hosts and quirky guests, where social tensions simmer beneath polite conversation and unexpect…
Level C1ClassicsThe Elect LadyIn a modest Scottish farmhouse kitchen, a spirited exchange unfolds between a laird’s daughter and a farmer’s son as they navigate class, creativity, and the delicate unveiling of…
Level C1ClassicsThe Eldest SonIn a grand oak-paneled hall teeming with family tensions and secrets, a young lady's-maid navigates the complex social world of the Cheshire household, where engagements, scandals,…
Level C1ClassicsThe Elder Brother: The Works of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher (Volume 2 of 10)A young noblewoman’s indulgent father urges her to escape the idle life of luxury and embrace wholesome exercise and knowledge, setting the stage for a comedy of wit, duty, and soc…
Level C1ClassicsThe Efficiency ExpertA college athlete celebrated for his sports victories faces a crucial challenge when the university demands he improve his failing academics or risk expulsion.
Level C1ClassicsThe Editor's Relations with the Young Contributor (from Literature and Life)An editor reflects on the vital, often challenging relationship with young literary contributors, revealing the delicate balance of hope, patience, and high standards that shape em…
Level C1ClassicsThe Edda, Volume 2: The Heroic Mythology of the North: Popular Studies in Mythology, Romance, and Folklore, No. 13Ancient Northern heroes and legends come alive through intertwined tales of smiths, swan-maidens, and vengeance, revealing a rich tapestry of Germanic myths preserved in haunting p…
Level C1ClassicsThe Edda, Volume 1: The Divine Mythology of the North: Popular Studies in Mythology, Romance, and Folklore, No. 12Delve into the ancient Norse myths and heroic poems preserved in the Icelandic Eddas, where gods and legendary heroes come to life through vivid narrative and timeless verse.
Level C1ClassicsThe Ebbing Of The Tide: South Sea Stories - 1896In the remote Pacific island of Ponape, a tangled tale of love, rivalry, and ancient lore unfolds as Luliban, caught between her fierce husband Red-Hair and her tattooed lover Harr…
Level C1ClassicsThe Easiest Way: Representative Plays by American Dramatists: 1856-1911Caught between survival and morality, a woman navigates the harsh realities of a ruthless society that offers the easiest way out.
Level C1ClassicsThe Early Short Fiction of Edith Wharton — Part 2Two Americans seek the charm of an ancient English manor, embracing its discomforts and mysteries, including a ghost no one recognizes until long after.
Level C1ClassicsThe Early Short Fiction of Edith Wharton — Part 1A solitary visitor explores the hauntingly majestic, crumbling estate of Kerfol in Brittany, drawn by its silent history and mysterious tombs.
Level C1ClassicsThe Eagle's HeartIn a small town, Harold Excell’s fiery temper and fierce loyalty shape his turbulent youth, challenging both family ties and community expectations as he navigates the complexities…
Level C1ClassicsThe Dwelling Place of Light — CompleteAmid the relentless tide of industrial change, Edward Bumpus struggles to find his place after losing his ancestral roots and faith in a shifting New England city, confronting a wo…
Level C1ClassicsThe Dweller on the ThresholdA respected clergyman with a hidden sadness encounters Evelyn Malling, a determined psychical researcher, sparking a mysterious connection amidst London's vibrant springtime.
Level C1ClassicsThe Dust FlowerCaught between his fiancée’s fierce demands and his own wild habits, Rashleigh Allerton faces a tempest of love, honor, and rebellion.
Level C1ClassicsThe Dull Miss ArchinardA weary landowner finds solace in peaceful fishing by his new estate, where the lively voices of two contrasting sisters from a neighboring property spark a quiet, intriguing glimp…
Level C1ClassicsThe Duke's Daughter; and, The Fugitives; vol. 3/3In a quaint French village on the brink of winter, an Englishman and his curious daughter navigate the lively world of local woods and wary villagers, while a mysterious château lo…