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 C1ClassicsTales of the Jazz AgeStep into the vibrant, chaotic Jazz Age through a collection of tales exploring Southern charm, wild New York adventures, and fantastical escapades, all infused with humor, luxury,…
Level C1ClassicsTales of the Five TownsIn a bleak December town where commerce falters and community roles intertwine, a shrewd earthenware manufacturer juggles ambition, rivalry, and unexpected encounters—revealing the…
Level C1ClassicsTales of the ChesapeakeOn a remote Chesapeake Bay shore, an outcast preacher, shunned for love and faith, struggles to survive Christmas Eve with the help of a hardened oyster-man who discovers a mysteri…
Level C1ClassicsTales of the Caravan, Inn, and PalaceA lone rider encounters a dazzling caravan crossing the vast desert, escorting merchants home from Mecca.
Level C1ClassicsTales of the ArgonautsIn a quiet mountain town, Jenny McClosky navigates love, family, and the wild remnants of her past as she prepares for a new life with Jack, facing the tender and humorous challeng…
Level C1ClassicsTales of a TravellerA retired baronet's hunting dinner turns into an unexpected night of camaraderie and mystery when a fierce winter storm traps the guests, sparking tales from a nervous gentleman wh…
Level C1ClassicsTales of a Cruel CountryIn a sun-drenched village where tradition and desire collide, Stephanie Miniati grapples with love, loss, and the harsh judgment of her neighbors.
Level C1ClassicsTales of Two CountriesAmidst youthful celebration and provincial expectations, a talented young man’s sharp, satirical tales reveal the hidden struggles and raw truths beneath society’s polished surface…
Level C1ClassicsTales of Trail and TownIn a rough mining town transformed by fortune and ambition, Peter Atherly grapples with his mysterious heritage and troubled family past.![Cover of Tales of My Time, Vol. 2 (of 3): Who Is She? [concluded]; The Young Reformers by William Pitt Scargill](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daf2bo8e1ofc73dhaoqg.webp)
Level C1ClassicsTales of My Time, Vol. 2 (of 3): Who Is She? [concluded]; The Young ReformersA grieving woman flees with her loyal companion through bustling towns, seeking refuge amid celebrations that starkly contrast her sorrow.
Level C1ClassicsTales of My Native TownImmerse yourself in vivid moments from a coastal Italian town, where passion, fate, and the raw realities of life intertwine in tales that capture the intricate beauty and harshnes…
Level C1ClassicsTales of Men and GhostsA middle-aged playwright grapples with rejection and mounting desperation as he awaits a crucial meeting with his lawyer, clutching a rejected manuscript and a revolver.
Level C1ClassicsTales of Mean StreetsExplore the gritty realities of East London's "Mean Streets," where vivid stories reveal the harsh lives and struggles hidden behind the city's bustling facade.
Level C1ClassicsTales of All CountriesIn the secluded Pyrenean valley of Vernet, a stern widow runs a modest thermal bath hotel where weary guests seek healing waters and respite from life’s burdens.![Cover of Tales from the Old French by Isabel [Translator] Butler](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da895rsv7nos73d6p5a0.webp)
Level C1ClassicsTales from the Old FrenchEnter a magical orchard where a wondrous bird sings twice daily, its enchanting melodies healing sickness, inspiring love, and sustaining life itself—yet the fate of this enchanted…
Level C1ClassicsTales from the German, Comprising specimens from the most celebrated authorsDive into a rich collection of German tales that blend psychological depth, moral complexity, and captivating storytelling—from haunting fantasies to profound explorations of human…
Level C1ClassicsTales from Two HemispheresA young Norseman arrives in America, full of hope and ideals about freedom and republicanism, only to face the bewildering realities of immigration and society.
Level C1ClassicsTales from Many Sources, Vol. VIn a cold northern hall, mysterious house spirits quietly labor while two sharp-witted heiresses of Lingborough secretly carry out acts of kindness rooted in tradition and faith, w…
Level C1ClassicsTales from GorkyA poor, friendless boy with a restless spirit and a spark of genius survives brutal hardships in Tsarist Russia, chronicling his grim adventures among society’s outcasts.
Level C1ClassicsTales from BohemiaStep into the bustling world of a young journalist climbing the ranks in an 1887 newspaper office, where friendships spark over literary ambitions and the drama of the stage ignite…
Level C1ClassicsTales from "Blackwood," Volume 8Amidst the turmoil of railway speculation and the pangs of early marriage, a man navigates the highs and lows of financial risk and personal duty, uncovering the unpredictable fate…
Level C1ClassicsTales from "Blackwood," Volume 7An Englishman unexpectedly encounters a familiar yet transformed young French cavalry sergeant, Frank Oakley, whose reckless past and rapid descent into debt hint at a life of wild…
Level C1ClassicsTales from "Blackwood," Volume 6In a bustling European spa town, a wealthy Dutchman plots a marriage shrouded in deception and hidden motives, while a wandering traveler uncovers the vibrant lives and secret intr…
Level C1ClassicsTales from "Blackwood," Volume 4Caught in the throes of financial panic, a determined investor grapples with plummeting stocks and mounting debts amid a tightening economy.
Level C1ClassicsTales from "Blackwood," Volume 3A mismatched group of Oxford undergraduates embarks on a summer "reading party" in the remote Welsh town of Glyndewi, where academic ambition collides with rustic charm and unexpec…
Level C1ClassicsTales from "Blackwood," Volume 1A penniless gentleman and his equally impecunious friend navigate the wild railway mania sweeping Scotland, blending satire and adventure in a world where aristocratic pride meets…
Level C1ClassicsTales by Polish AuthorsBartek, a simple village man, faces the upheaval of war as he is called from his peaceful life to fight against the French, leaving his family and homeland behind.
Level C1ClassicsTales and Stories: Now First CollectedExplore the profound and haunting tales woven by a pioneering author whose imagination gave birth to unforgettable characters and themes of compassion amidst horror.
Level C1ClassicsTales and Novels — Volume 10: HelenYoung Helen faces a heartbreaking reversal when her beloved uncle’s death reveals devastating debts instead of the fortune she expected, forcing her to navigate sorrow, financial r…
Level C1ClassicsTales and Novels — Volume 09A young boy’s innocent London evening turns eerie when a mysterious old man, Simon the Jew, appears with tales that blur fear and fascination.
Level C1ClassicsTales and Novels — Volume 08Amid tangled family loyalties and social ambitions, Alfred Percy’s impending marriage stirs old resentments and fragile reconciliations, revealing the costs of pride, debt, and sac…![Cover of Tales and Novels — Volume 07: Patronage [part 1] by Maria Edgeworth](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da6bp72pmtvc73csj140.webp)
Level C1ClassicsTales and Novels — Volume 07: Patronage [part 1]In a stormy coastal night, siblings Rosamond and Godfrey debate love, pride, and humanity while watching a mysterious light near the beacon—setting the stage for a tale exploring m…
Level C1ClassicsTales and Novels — Volume 06In the glittering social whirl of Lady Clonbrony’s gala, secrets and ambitions simmer beneath polished manners and whispered gossip.
Level C1ClassicsTales and Novels — Volume 05: Tales of a Fashionable LifeIn a world where social maneuvering and delicate stratagems govern every interaction, a young woman navigates family secrets and the subtle art of influence, revealing the complex…
Level C1ClassicsTales and Novels — Volume 04Step behind the scenes of Irish gentry life through the candid, unvarnished memoirs of Thady, an old steward whose tales reveal the true characters and domestic dramas behind noble…
Level C1ClassicsTales and Novels — Volume 02: Popular TalesIn the depths of Cornwall’s tin mines, the mysterious disappearance of a lame stable boy sparks eerie tales of ghostly sightings and local legends, inviting readers into a world wh…
Level C1ClassicsTales and FantasiesJohn Nicholson, a well-meaning but clumsy young man, navigates the strict, austere world of his Scots family and their rigid principles while clinging to a rebellious friendship th…
Level C1ClassicsTales Of HearsayAn aging officer recounts the harrowing retreat of Napoleon’s Grand Army through a frozen Russian landscape, revealing the grim reality of war where valor meets despair amid relent…
Level C1ClassicsTalbot's AnglesAs the sun sets over quiet farmland, Linda Talbot faces a painful choice between family loyalty and independence when her brother’s widow claims control of their inherited home, fo…
Level C1ClassicsTaking the Census: A FarceA determined census taker visits Mrs.
Level C1ClassicsTagalog Texts with Grammatical AnalysisExplore the first scientific phonetic transcription and analysis of Tagalog through the vivid speech and stories of an educated native speaker, revealing unique accentuation and li…
Level C1ClassicsTable Talk: Essays on Men and MannersExplore the quiet joys of painting and the reflective pleasures of art in essays that reveal the intimate struggles and triumphs of creativity, where Nature becomes both adversary…
Level C1ClassicsT. TembaromA resilient ten-year-old boy, orphaned and impoverished in Brooklyn, navigates hardship with a bright grin and fierce determination.
Level C1ClassicsSynge and the Ireland of His TimeStep into the turbulent world of early 20th-century Ireland, where the provocative plays of a daring playwright ignite fierce debate and challenge patriotic ideals, revealing the c…
Level C1ClassicsSydney SmithDiscover the intriguing life of Sydney Smith, tracing his rise from humble beginnings to a celebrated figure through letters, memoirs, and personal accounts that reveal his wit, ed…
Level C1ClassicsSwords ReluctantAmid the chill of a bitter winter, Gabrielle Silvester returns from a stirring peace meeting, caught between the quiet of her suburban life and the urgent call for a new world orde…
Level C1ClassicsSword and Gown: A NovelIn the mild December climate by the Mediterranean shore, Harry Molyneux and the enigmatic Royston Keene reflect on nature’s beauty and hidden depths.
Level C1ClassicsSwiftA fiercely proud Jonathan Swift navigates the harsh realities of poverty and family expectations in 17th-century Ireland, his sharp mind a restless spirit seeking fierce employment…