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 C1ClassicsSoutheyDive into the life of a man wholly devoted to literature, whose works span history, poetry, and personal reflection, revealing the intimate voice behind his vast and varied achieve…
Level C1ClassicsSouthern Lights and ShadowsIn the rugged Southern wilderness, a weary man ventures into a mysterious cave, only to encounter a formidable stranger armed and enigmatic.
Level C1ClassicsSouthern HeartsIn the heart of Virginia’s mountain region, a proud Southern woman grapples with the subtle tyranny of her husband’s overbearing nature, revealing the delicate balance between love…
Level C1ClassicsSouth-Sea IdylsStranded on a tiny schooner amid the vast, unforgiving South Seas, a weary crew battles relentless storms, haunting isolation, and the crushing weight of despair, seeking hope and…
Level C1ClassicsSouth WindA sea-sick bishop endures a grueling voyage to the mysterious island of Nepenthe, where a sultry south wind stirs hidden tensions and unexpected encounters among a diverse cast of…
Level C1ClassicsSouth Sea YarnsStep inside a South Sea village where elders gather to share stories, blending ancient customs with tales of mysterious foreigners, strange technologies, and the changing world bey…
Level C1ClassicsSorrow in SunlightIn a sun-drenched tropical village, Miss Miami Mouth dreams of escaping to the dazzling city of Cuna-Cuna, while her family debates leaving their humble home for a chance at societ…
Level C1ClassicsSons of the SoilIn the shadow of grand estates, the relentless peasant reshapes the land and defies ownership, igniting a fierce clash between classes.
Level C1ClassicsSons of fire, Vol. II.At Discombe Manor, the restless Geoffrey returns, igniting tension between lovers Suzette and Allan as music and rivalry intertwine.
Level C1ClassicsSons of fire, Vol. I.A young man inherits a sprawling estate near the village of Matcham and embarks on a new life as a country gentleman, eager to leave behind the law and embrace the freedom and chal…
Level C1ClassicsSons and LoversIn a coal-mining village marked by harsh living conditions and tight-knit communities, a young family navigates daily struggles and dreams amid the backdrop of industrial change an…
Level C1ClassicsSons and DaughtersA young man returns from America to assume his role in his father’s prosperous business but shocks his father by refusing to join, challenging expectations and the legacy laid out…
Level C1ClassicsSomehow GoodA returned traveler navigates London's bustling streets and grim slums, his uncertain fortune tied to a delayed telegram from New York.
Level C1ClassicsSomebody's LuggageBorn into a family of waiters, a man reflects on the harsh realities and secretive lives behind the noble art of waitering, revealing the struggles, traditions, and ironies that de…
Level C1ClassicsSome do not...: A novelTwo English gentlemen from the public official class embark on a railway journey, revealing the subtle tensions between ambition and indifference as they navigate society, friendsh…![Cover of Some Short Stories [by Henry James] by Henry James](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da4kunae2hvc73bn0pig.webp)
Level C1ClassicsSome Short Stories [by Henry James]In a London drawing-room, a retired diplomat hosts an exclusive salon where friends gather in perfect harmony, revealing the subtle art of social grace and the secret behind a capt…
Level C1ClassicsSome Roundabout PapersAn aged woman reflects on a life marked by hardship and history, from workhouse nights to encounters with literary giants and royal events, revealing the intimate struggles behind…
Level C1ClassicsSome ReminiscencesA writer reflects on the power of words and the challenge of capturing truth with sincerity, revealing the intimate connection between his life and his art.
Level C1ClassicsSome Remarks on the Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, Written by Mr. William Shakespeare (1736)Dive into an insightful exploration of Hamlet’s tragedy that challenges traditional interpretations and anticipates modern criticism, offering discerning analysis and fresh perspec…
Level C1ClassicsSome Private ViewsA keen observer with no illusions reflects society's truths with unflinching clarity, revealing the common thoughts and hidden motives of those who pass through his metaphorical Mi…
Level C1ClassicsSome Experiences of an Irish R.M.A newly appointed Resident Magistrate in rural Ireland faces the daunting challenge of settling into a dilapidated house, navigating quirky locals, and managing unexpected obstacle…
Level C1ClassicsSome Everyday Folk and DawnIn a dusty country town where melons flood the streets and social rivalries simmer, a visitor arrives at a lively riverside hotel ruled by the captivating Dawn, whose charm stirs i…
Level C1ClassicsSome Christmas StoriesChildren gather around a glowing Christmas tree adorned with enchanting toys and mysterious masks that spark both delight and unease.
Level C1ClassicsSome Chinese GhostsIn ancient China, a magnificent bell is forged to ring across the imperial capital, but stubborn metals refuse to blend, sparking a mysterious tale of craftsmanship, imperial will,…
Level C1ClassicsSome Anomalies of the Short Story (from Literature and Life)Explore the puzzling charm and challenge of the short story form, as it delights readers individually yet often falters when collected in books—unpacking why variety and reader eng…
Level C1ClassicsSome Account of the Life of Mr. William Shakespear (1709)Explore the early 18th-century effort to bring Shakespeare's works to a wider audience through modernized editions, insightful editorial improvements, and the first detailed biogra…
Level C1ClassicsSolomonIn the heart of Ohio’s coal country lies a secluded German Community thriving through cooperative labor and simple traditions.
Level C1ClassicsSoldiers ThreeThree soldiers share sharp wit and loyalty amid regiment life, where honor, rivalry, and unexpected friendships unfold against the backdrop of military duty and the tangled affairs…
Level C1ClassicsSoap bubblesA chance encounter on a train sparks a tale of two shipwrecked men stranded on a remote island, whose strict English reserve keeps them strangers despite their shared fate.
Level C1ClassicsSo Runs the WorldDive into a world where the delicate beauty of language reveals the soul of everyday heroes and forgotten lives, as a master storyteller explores deep thoughts, sincere emotions, a…
Level C1ClassicsSnake and Sword: A NovelIn colonial India, a brave colonel’s wife confronts her deepest fear—a venomous snake lurking in the dark pantry—testing her courage and resolve as she fights to protect her unborn…
Level C1ClassicsSmokeIn a cosmopolitan European resort, a disillusioned man confronts the moral stagnation and fierce political debates of his homeland, while entangled in a captivating, complex love w…
Level C1ClassicsSmaïn; and Safti's Summer Day: 1905In a serene desert oasis, the haunting flute of young Smaïn reveals a tender tale of love and longing for Oreïda, a distant dancer.
Level C1ClassicsSmall SoulsIn a rain-soaked Hague, Dorine van Lowe races to rally her family for a delicate reunion, navigating old resentments and social expectations among the Van Lowes.
Level C1ClassicsSleeping Fires: a NovelIn 1860s San Francisco, the city's rigid Southern aristocracy reels from Dr.
Level C1ClassicsSlang and cant in Jerome K. Jerome's worksExplore the vivid slang and cant of Victorian England through the lens of Jerome K.
Level C1ClassicsSketches of Young GentlemenAt a lively dinner party, a bashful young gentleman’s awkward manners and crimson blush reveal the tender unease beneath his polished exterior, inviting a humorous exploration of y…
Level C1ClassicsSketches of Young CouplesIn a leap year when tradition allows women to propose marriage, a surge of bold plans and secret plots unfolds across England, stirring society into a frenzy of romance, rivalry, a…
Level C1ClassicsSketches in Lavender, Blue and GreenIn a world where convenience rules hearts, a cold financier marries a young woman bound by duty and sacrifice, while past lovers linger close, weaving a tale of complex social ties…
Level C1ClassicsSketches from Memory: (From: "The Doliver Romance and Other Pieces: Tales and Sketches")A vivid journey unfolds on the shores of Lake Champlain, where a bustling port town teems with diverse characters—from Irish emigrants to frontier traders—each shaping the lively b…
Level C1ClassicsSketches from Memory (From "Mosses from an Old Manse")Journey into the heart of the majestic White Mountains, where rugged peaks and deep forests hide ancient paths and wild tales.
Level C1ClassicsSketches by Boz, Illustrative of Every-Day Life and Every-Day PeopleStep into a vivid world of everyday struggles and local authority as the parish beadle enforces the harsh realities of poor laws, revealing the delicate balance between dignity, po…
Level C1ClassicsSketches New and Old, Part 7.In the rough silver mines of Nevada, a curious encounter unfolds over whisky cocktails as a newcomer tries to grasp the baffling intricacies of silver-mining veins from the eccentr…
Level C1ClassicsSketches New and Old, Part 5.Discover the extraordinary bond of the Siamese Twins, whose intertwined lives weave a tale of loyalty, love, and shared struggles—from childhood playmates to soldiers and suitors—c…
Level C1ClassicsSketches New and Old, Part 4.A satirical memoir skewers the revered image of Benjamin Franklin, revealing the mischievous motives and exhausting maxims behind his famed wisdom, challenging the myths that glori…
Level C1ClassicsSketches New and Old, Part 3.A well-dressed boy in San Francisco is arrested for stoning a Chinaman, exposing the bitter injustices and racial prejudices ingrained in society and law enforcement.
Level C1ClassicsSketches New and Old, Part 2.Wit and wisdom collide in a collection of sharp commentaries and humorous letters that challenge moralizing statistics, celebrate human quirks, and honor the colorful characters of…
Level C1ClassicsSketches New and Old, Part 1.A once-perfect watch begins to malfunction, speeding ahead and falling behind in chaotic bursts, mirroring the narrator’s growing frustration as he seeks countless repairs.