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 Duke's Daughter; and, The Fugitives; vol. 2/3In a gloomy London parish overshadowed by fog and noise, a humble rector discovers an extraordinary name in his marriage banns that stirs his curiosity and hints at secrets far bey…
Level C1ClassicsThe Duke's ChildrenAfter the Duchess's death, the Duke of Omnium faces profound loneliness as he navigates life without his wife, while managing the futures of their three children amid the shifting…
Level C1ClassicsThe Duenna: A Comic OperaIn the lively streets of Seville, young lovers defy strict fathers and scheming guardians with midnight serenades and secret meetings.
Level C1ClassicsThe Duel and Other StoriesA disillusioned clerk confesses to his friend the unraveling of a love that once promised ideal companionship, revealing the bitter complexities of human relationships and the suff…
Level C1ClassicsThe Duchess of Rosemary Lane: A NovelIn the serene beauty of spring at Springfield, a young woman named Nelly Marston captures the heart of her gardener’s son, setting the stage for a tender tale of love blossoming am…
Level C1ClassicsThe Duchess of MalfiIn a corrupt Renaissance court where power breeds treachery, a determined steward navigates a deadly web of ambition and deceit surrounding a noble duchess and her secret desires.
Level C1ClassicsThe Duchess of Dublin: A FarceA newly minted physician struggles to establish his medical practice in a skeptical village, relying on the loyal support of Maggie, a spirited kitchen girl known as "The Duchess o…
Level C1ClassicsThe Druid PathOn a mystical hill where ancient gods once ruled, Phadraig experiences enigmatic dreams and encounters mysterious rituals tied to the old Druid traditions.
Level C1ClassicsThe Dreamers: A ClubA group of thirteen gentlemen form “The Dreamers: A Club” to unlock their hidden literary talents through imagination and waking dreams, aiming to rival the greats of fiction while…
Level C1ClassicsThe Dreamer: A Romantic Rendering of the Life-Story of Edgar Allan PoeAmid the fading roses of 1811 Richmond, a dying actress clings to life while her past intertwines with the struggles of love, loss, and ambition that shaped the family of the enigm…
Level C1ClassicsThe DreamIn a snowbound town, a fragile orphan girl seeks shelter beneath the cathedral's ancient portal, where the statues of saints and their stories offer a haunting backdrop to her desp…
Level C1ClassicsThe Dramatist; Or, Stop Him Who Can! A Comedy, in Five ActsIn a lively comedy set amidst Bath society, spirited Marianne rebels against her restrictive upbringing and meddling aunt, while tangled romances and sharp wit unfold around love,…
Level C1ClassicsThe Dramatic Works of Gerhart Hauptmann, Volume IIIn a vivid portrayal of social realities, intertwined lives unfold against the backdrop of injustice and human struggle, capturing timeless passions and the relentless flow of life…
Level C1ClassicsThe Dramatic Works of Gerhart Hauptmann, Volume IStep into the world of early 20th-century social dramas, where the lives of Silesian peasants and Berlin’s common folk unfold through authentic, dialect-rich dialogue.
Level C1ClassicsThe Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing: Miss Sara Sampson, Philotas, Emilia Galotti, Nathan the WiseExplore the groundbreaking dramas that shaped German literature, featuring powerful tragedies and the profound plea for tolerance in Nathan the Wise.
Level C1ClassicsThe Dramatic Values in PlautusExplore the misunderstood comic genius of Plautus through a meticulous analysis of his dramatic methods, revealing the humor, recurring characters, and theatrical techniques behind…
Level C1ClassicsThe Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, EsmeraldaIn Tudor England, political intrigue swirls around Queen Mary, whose passion for the mysterious Fabiano Fabiani stirs jealousy, betrayal, and deadly power struggles among nobles de…
Level C1ClassicsThe DramaExplore the vibrant world behind the curtain, where the art of acting breathes new life into classic characters and the stage reflects society’s evolving morals and tastes, challen…
Level C1ClassicsThe Dragon PainterIn the mystical dawn of Tokyo, an aging artist experiences a profound moment of inspiration and renewal as nature and beauty awaken around him.
Level C1ClassicsThe Double GardenA young bulldog named Pelléas embarks on a tender exploration of the world, learning its secrets and boundaries through innocent eyes.
Level C1ClassicsThe Dop DoctorAmid the vast South African veld, a weary Englishman journeys with a tragic loss shadowing his path, as oxen and men alike endure relentless hardship.
Level C1ClassicsThe Dominant StrainCaught between society’s expectations and her own doubts, Beatrix grapples with the charm and secrets of Mr.
Level C1ClassicsThe Dominant DollarTwo men, one coldly pragmatic and the other more emotional, navigate a tense friendship tested by clashing worldviews and the inevitable changes time will bring.
Level C1ClassicsThe Dolliver RomanceIn a world shadowed by illness and war, a writer grapples with the elusive quest for the Elixir of Life, weaving a haunting romance that blurs the line between mortality and immort…
Level C1ClassicsThe Dogs and the Fleas: By One of the DogsIn a world where dogs once lived peacefully, a rebellious group challenges the oppressive rule of bloodsucking fleas who exploit and corrupt their society.
Level C1ClassicsThe Dodd Family Abroad, Vol. IIA family abroad navigates the trials of money, bureaucracy, and new languages while seeking refuge from past troubles.
Level C1ClassicsThe Dodd Family Abroad, Vol. IAn Irish family's ambitious journey through Europe unfolds in a series of witty letters, revealing their comical misadventures and cultural misunderstandings.
Level C1ClassicsThe Doctor's Wife: A NovelIn a quaint Midlandshire town, young doctor George Gilbert strives to live honorably under the watchful eye of his devoted father, navigating the expectations of a narrow, traditio…
Level C1ClassicsThe Doctor's FamilyA young surgeon struggles to build his medical practice in a rough new district, overshadowed by family secrets and personal disappointments.
Level C1ClassicsThe Doctor's DilemmaTrapped in a gloomy London room and pushed to the brink of madness, a determined narrator battles unseen forces demanding submission.
Level C1ClassicsThe Doctor's DaughterAmid reflections on life's sorrows and joys, an earnest author offers a humble tale shaped by personal experience and steadfast perseverance, inviting readers into a world where ev…
Level C1ClassicsThe Doctor's Christmas EveOn a bitter Christmas Eve in Kentucky, two spirited children set out from their family manor to share a festive celebration with close friends, weaving a tale of friendship, warmth…
Level C1ClassicsThe Doctor : A Tale of the RockiesNestled in the serene beauty of the Rockies, a quaint old mill and its hardworking family reveal tales of love, tradition, and the enduring spirit of Highland ancestry against the…
Level C1ClassicsThe Divine FireIn the serene Devonshire garden, Horace Jewdwine grapples with the discovery of a promising young poet, Savage Keith Rickman, whose genius may ignite a brilliant future—or prove a…
Level C1ClassicsThe DisentanglersIn a shabby London room, two struggling young men hatch a daring plan to escape poverty and reshape society, driven by wit, ambition, and the promise of a "Great Idea" that could c…
Level C1ClassicsThe DictatorAn exiled dictator awakens in a London hotel, surrounded by symbols of power and memory, plotting a return to glory.
Level C1ClassicsThe Diary of a Man of FiftyA man in his fifties returns to Florence, where the warmth of the sun revives memories of a lost love and youth long past.
Level C1ClassicsThe Devil's PoolIn a humble countryside, simple lives unfold beneath the watchful eyes of nature and the looming presence of death.
Level C1ClassicsThe Devil's GardenA village postmaster’s steady routine shatters when he receives a sudden suspension notice, thrusting him into a tense struggle for his position and reputation amid the quiet stree…
Level C1ClassicsThe Devil's DictionaryA razor-sharp lexicon satirizes human nature and society with wit and cynicism, redefining words to reveal the absurdities of power, ambition, and convention through clever definit…
Level C1ClassicsThe Devil is an AssIn a sharp satire of London’s vices and manners, a mischievous devil stirs chaos among the city’s inhabitants, exposing human folly and the absurdity of ambition in a world ruled b…
Level C1ClassicsThe DevilA man struggles with overwhelming desire for a servant woman, battling temptation and conscience on his estate.
Level C1ClassicsThe Desultory Man: Collection of Ancient and Modern British Novels and Romances. Vol. CXLVII.A solitary man reflects on the painful year that has shaped his existence, seeking to capture the thoughts and events that define his troubled past and present.
Level C1ClassicsThe Desired WomanIn the heart of Atlanta's bustling banking world, a high-stakes gamble threatens to unravel the life of a driven banker pushed to his limits by risky deals and relentless pressure.
Level C1ClassicsThe Desire of LifeTwo men journey through the rugged Swiss Alps toward St.
Level C1ClassicsThe Desert and the SownIn a frontier home, a spirited clash of generations unfolds as a colonel and his future mother-in-law navigate family tensions, societal roles, and the clash between tradition and…
Level C1ClassicsThe Descent of Man and Other StoriesA devoted professor retreats to the Maine woods, escaping the confines of domestic life through a captivating idea that stirs his imagination and offers a glimpse into a world of i…
Level C1ClassicsThe Deputy of ArcisIn a provincial French town preparing for a pivotal election, tensions rise as Simon Giguet faces the daunting challenge of winning a seat in the Chamber of Deputies, with family a…