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 Choice Humorous Works, Ludicrous Adventures, Bons Mots, Puns, and Hoaxes of Theodore HookDive into a lively collection of witty anecdotes, sharp puns, and outrageous hoaxes, chronicling the mischievous exploits and colorful life of a brilliant 19th-century humorist who…
Level C1ClassicsThe Chimes: A Goblin Story of Some Bells That Rang an Old Year out and a New Year InOn a bitter winter night, ancient church bells known as the Chimes stand watch over the town, their haunting voices echoing through the storm.
Level C1ClassicsThe Children of the WorldIn a quiet Berlin neighborhood, a humble shoemaker clings to his modest home filled with memories, while life stirs quietly around his family and aging artistic neighbors, setting…
Level C1ClassicsThe Child of PleasureA young aristocrat indulges in a life of unrestrained sensual pleasures, exploring the intoxicating allure and peril of passion.
Level C1ClassicsThe Chequers: Being the Natural History of a Public-House, Set Forth in: a Loafer's DiaryStep behind the bar of The Chequers, where the veneer of joviality fades to reveal the raw, often brutal realities of life among the drinkers and the desperate.
Level C1ClassicsThe Chautauqua Girls At HomeFour young women return from Chautauqua with fresh spiritual awakenings, stepping into their church transformed yet uncertain.
Level C1ClassicsThe Chariot of the FleshIn a Surrey village where old traditions and new influences mingle, an enigmatic bachelor captivates and confounds his only confidant with his unpredictable intellect and cryptic i…
Level C1ClassicsThe Characters of Theophrastus: A Translation, with IntroductionExplore timeless portraits of human nature through vivid sketches of ancient types—flatterers, officious meddlers, tactless bores, and mean-spirited misers—whose traits remain unch…
Level C1ClassicsThe ChaperonTorn between duty and desire, a young woman faces family conflict and the weight of her late father's will, challenging traditions and loyalties in a fog-bound London drawing-room.
Level C1ClassicsThe Channings: A StoryIn the cathedral town of Helstonleigh, the arrival of the assize judges stirs the community as the sacred service unfolds, hinting at secrets beneath the solemnity.
Level C1ClassicsThe ChangelingA grieving young woman arranges to adopt a child from a poor mother under strict conditions, confronting fears of inherited vice and the mysteries of heredity.
Level C1ClassicsThe Champagne StandardAmidst stormy nights and restless seas, a writer wrestles with inspiration, only to encounter a mysterious black cat whose presence hints at secrets deeper than mere words—a whimsi…
Level C1ClassicsThe ChallonersIn a serene English summer, Helen Challoner finds solace in forbidden books and quiet rebellion, while her brother Martin offers a contrasting carefree spirit—together, they naviga…
Level C1ClassicsThe CentaurA mysterious stranger with an overwhelming presence captivates a curious wanderer, sparking a journey beyond civilization’s confines into the wild, where the boundaries between spi…
Level C1ClassicsThe CelibatesDive into the intertwined tales of Parisian bachelors and old maids, where sharp social observations and complex characters reveal the quirks and challenges of celibate life amid b…
Level C1ClassicsThe Celebrity, CompleteA rising young lawyer, once unremarkable, suddenly bursts into literary fame with a collection of intriguing short stories that captivate society’s elite.
Level C1ClassicsThe Caxtons: A Family Picture — CompleteA thoughtful family portrait unfolds through the eyes of Pisistratus, a young man whose restless energy captures the spirit of youth and the quest for meaning beyond the familiar h…
Level C1ClassicsThe Cattle-Baron's DaughterAmid the scorching heat of New York, Hetty Torrance, a self-reliant daughter of a wealthy cattle baron, faces a life-changing decision between love, wealth, and independence.
Level C1ClassicsThe Cathedral: A NovelIn a storm-wracked cathedral town, Archdeacon Brandon commands respect and wields power with the confidence of a man destined to rule.
Level C1ClassicsThe CathedralIn a wind-swept French town, a man finds solace in the shadowy forest near Chartres Cathedral, where silent processions and sacred mysteries intertwine with visions of the Virgin M…
Level C1ClassicsThe Castle of Andalusia: A Comic Opera, in Three ActsIn a rugged cavern, a band of merry banditti led by the spirited Don Cæsar revels in freedom and mischief, blending bold camaraderie with comic escapades.
Level C1ClassicsThe Case of Richard MeynellIn a village shaped by the powerful State Church and rising religious tensions, Richard Meynell confronts the clash between ancient faith and modern thought, exploring the struggle…
Level C1ClassicsThe Case of General Ople and Lady CamperA retired general finds solace in a quaint English estate, only to be intrigued by the arrival of an eccentric, wealthy lady next door whose aloofness challenges his military pride…
Level C1ClassicsThe Career of ClaudiaA young woman arrives alone at her cousins’ quiet country home, expecting warmth but finding unexpected solitude.
Level C1ClassicsThe Carcellini Emerald, With Other TalesIn New York’s elite circles, Ashton Carmichael reigns as a captivating yet mysterious social dictator, wielding influence despite his obscure origins and modest living.
Level C1ClassicsThe CaptivesWhen the Reverend Charles Cardinal suddenly collapses, his daughter Maggie must confront the mysteries that surround his death and the arrival of her troubled Uncle Mathew, reveali…
Level C1ClassicsThe Captain of the Gray-Horse TroopIn the harsh winter wilderness of the Bear Tooth Range, a young captain braves relentless snow and biting winds to cross a treacherous mountain divide, testing not only his equipme…
Level C1ClassicsThe Canadian Elocutionist: Designed for the Use of Colleges, Schools and Self Instruction, Together with a Copious Selection in Prose and Poetry of Pieces Adapted for Reading, Recitation and PracticeMaster the art of clear, graceful speaking with practical rules and exercises designed for teachers, students, and self-learners alike, featuring carefully chosen prose and poetry…
Level C1ClassicsThe Cameron pride; or, purified by sufferingAn old-fashioned New England farmhouse becomes a battleground of tradition and change when a widow returns with her children and fresh ideas, challenging the steady ways of her ste…
Level C1ClassicsThe Calling of Dan MatthewsIn a stagnant Midwestern town caught between past glories and unrealized dreams, a mysterious Spirit emerges—both feared and embraced—that promises to reshape the lives of Corinth’…
Level C1ClassicsThe Call of the Town: A Tale of Literary LifeIn the sleepy village of Hampton Bagot, Edward John Charles, the contented postmaster-bookseller-tobacconist, watches life unfold along the dusty main street, caught between rural…
Level C1ClassicsThe CaliforniansTwo young women from wealthy Californian families navigate friendship, ambition, and societal expectations beneath the radiant sun and sweeping views of San Francisco.
Level C1ClassicsThe Cabinet Minister: A farce in four actsA high-ranking cabinet minister's family navigates a tangled web of debts, social expectations, and political pressures in a farcical drama where sentiment and satire collide.![Cover of The Cabin [La barraca] by Vicente Blasco Ibáñez](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daeva7ge1ofc73dh9n2g.webp)
Level C1ClassicsThe Cabin [La barraca]In a vibrant Mediterranean village, a humble cabin becomes the heart of a stirring tale where tradition, conflict, and the spirit of community collide, revealing the rich character…
Level C1ClassicsThe Busie BodyIn this spirited comedy of intrigue, a meddlesome character named Marplot stirs up chaos with his well-meaning blunders, setting off a lively chain of amusing and clever schemes am…
Level C1ClassicsThe Burning Spear: Being the Experiences of Mr. John Lavender in the Time of WarIn wartime England, John Lavender, a gentle and principled gentleman, strives to contribute to the national effort through frugality, patriotism, and tireless study of great speech…
Level C1ClassicsThe Burning SecretA restless baron arrives at a remote mountain hotel, craving the thrill of social and romantic adventure during his solitary spring vacation.
Level C1ClassicsThe Bunsby Papers (second series): Irish EchoesDelve into whimsical Irish traditions and legendary tales that trace the echoes of ancient myths and history, blending humor and reflection as they unfold stories from Ireland's ri…
Level C1ClassicsThe Buddha: A Drama in Five Acts and Four InterludesIn a lush ancient Indian kingdom, a young prince wrestles with grief and profound doubts about gods, faith, and tradition, seeking answers beyond rituals and caste in a world on th…
Level C1ClassicsThe BruteTrapped in a modest Harlem apartment, a couple wrestles with the harsh realities of unfulfilled dreams and the quiet desperation of a life constrained by poverty and ambition.
Level C1ClassicsThe Brownie of Bodsbeck, and Other Tales (Vol. 2 of 2)In a mystical Scottish landscape, Davie Tait prays for a miracle to save his lost ewes, only to discover that the elusive Brownie of Bodsbeck has mysteriously harvested a ripe crop…
Level C1ClassicsThe Brotherhood of ConsolationA troubled man gazes over Paris, haunted by the city's layered history and his own moral crisis, until a chance encounter with a compassionate priest sparks a journey toward hope a…
Level C1ClassicsThe Broom-SquireA weary sailor, newly bereaved and inexperienced with childcare, struggles to care for his infant daughter as he journeys through the rugged English countryside, seeking to leave h…
Level C1ClassicsThe Bright ShawlIn postwar reflections, a middle-aged man grapples with his nephew's bitter disillusionment and lack of youthful ideals, contrasting sharply with his own vibrant memories of Havana…
Level C1ClassicsThe Bridge-BuildersAn engineer battles nature, politics, and human frailty to complete a monumental bridge over the mighty Ganges, transforming a vast landscape and his own life in the process.
Level C1ClassicsThe Bride of the MistletoeIn a secluded Kentucky farmhouse, a middle-aged couple's quiet life unfolds over forty hours, revealing profound human truths without external drama.
Level C1ClassicsThe Bride of Messina, and On the Use of the Chorus in TragedyIn a city torn by bitter rivalry, a mourning mother seeks to unite her warring sons and restore peace to Messina, even as deadly hatred simmers beneath the surface.
Level C1ClassicsThe Bride of DreamsIn a fading Dutch town, a solitary man named Muralto lives quietly, burdened by profound thoughts too great for his contemporaries to accept.