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 C1ClassicsRiven Bonds. Vol. II.: A Novel, in Two VolumesTorn by past follies and unspoken confessions, Captain Almbach confronts Ella, a woman shrouded in mystery and guarded emotions, in a secluded villa where old bonds and new tension…
Level C1ClassicsRiven Bonds. Vol. I.: A Novel, in Two VolumesIn a lively Hanseatic town, the dazzling Signora Biancona captivates audiences and stirs passions, while a young merchant named Almbach navigates admiration, rivalry, and the sharp…
Level C1ClassicsRise and Fall of Cesar BirotteauIn the bustling heart of Paris, a devoted perfumer’s wife awakens from a haunting nightmare, filled with fear and confusion about her husband’s mysterious absence.
Level C1ClassicsRingfield: A NovelIn a remote Canadian settlement overshadowed by the majestic yet forbidding St.
Level C1ClassicsRidgway of Montana: A story of to-day, in which the hero is also the villainIn a world where ambition and charm clash, Virginia Balfour weighs the price of marrying the enigmatic Waring Ridgway—a man whose ruthless drive for success masks a dark, compellin…
Level C1ClassicsRiders to the SeaOn a remote Irish island, a mother and her family confront the relentless power of the sea and fate, weaving a poignant tale of loss, resilience, and the harsh rhythms of life in a…
Level C1ClassicsRiches have wings; or, A tale for the rich and poorIn a society where wealth changes hands as swiftly as the wind, fortunes rise and fall amid fierce ambition and moral challenges.
Level C1ClassicsRichard SteeleStep into the lively world of early 18th-century English drama, where wit and satire expose society’s quirks—from mock grief to flawed justice—all crafted by a soldier turned playw…
Level C1ClassicsRich enoughA cautious farmer seeks safe, steady investments amidst the bustling ambitions of his wealthy merchant brother, exploring the tension between simple contentment and the lure of spe…
Level C1ClassicsRich Man, Poor ManIn a bustling city, a solitary, shy clerk named Mr.
Level C1ClassicsRiceyman Steps: A NovelIn post-World War I Clerkenwell, a refined, introspective bookseller becomes quietly captivated by a mysterious widow across the street, dreaming of sharing his rich visions of the…
Level C1ClassicsRhoda Fleming — CompleteIn a Kentish village, two striking sisters navigate the clash between rustic tradition and their mother's fierce determination to nurture beauty and strength amidst poverty and gos…
Level C1ClassicsRevisiting the EarthA man embarks on a heartfelt journey to revisit every place tied to his youth, seeking renewal and rediscovery through the memories and landscapes of his past.
Level C1ClassicsReviewsDive into a collection of sharp, insightful reviews revealing the rise and reception of a bold literary figure who challenged Victorian norms with wit and style, offering a unique…
Level C1ClassicsReveries over Childhood and YouthA reflective journey through fragmented memories of childhood and youth reveals the bittersweet mix of innocence, fear, and wonder, set against the backdrop of family, nature, and…
Level C1ClassicsReuben SachsA promising young Jewish lawyer returns home after a nervous breakdown, navigating family expectations and societal pressures in Victorian London.
Level C1ClassicsReturning HomeAn English couple faces the bittersweet challenge of leaving their dull, distant life in Costa Rica to return to their beloved homeland.
Level C1ClassicsRest Harrow: A Comedy of ResolutionA chance reunion on a steamer sparks intrigue as a mysterious, unconventional man accompanies a captivating widow, weaving a tale of past lives, hidden motives, and the quirks of E…
Level C1ClassicsReprinted PiecesAmid stormy seas and desperate escapes, vivid tales of perilous voyages and survival unfold—from mutinous ships to castaways battling hunger and fate—capturing the haunting allure…
Level C1ClassicsRepresentative Plays by American Dramatists: 1856-1911:: Introduction and BibliographyDiscover a curated collection of rare and unpublished American plays from 1856 to 1911, offering fresh insights into the evolution of American theater through meticulously selected…
Level C1ClassicsRepresentative Plays by American Dramatists: 1856-1911: The New York IdeaIn a sharp satire of American frivolity, a high-society family navigates witty, biting exchanges that reveal the clash between tradition and modernity.
Level C1ClassicsRepresentative Plays by American Dramatists: 1856-1911: The Moth and the FlameIn a vivid exploration of middle-class quirks and social satire, a playwright weaves sharp irony and lively dialogue to capture the nuanced humanity behind everyday manners and une…
Level C1ClassicsRepresentative Plays by American Dramatists: 1856-1911: In MizzouraStep into the vibrant world of American theatre through the eyes of a playwright who crafts a popular comedy from life's scattered remnants, blending personal history with sharp di…
Level C1ClassicsRepresentative Plays by American Dramatists: 1765-1819Explore the evolution of American drama from 1765 to 1819, featuring plays that capture the spirit of the Revolutionary era and the emerging national identity through pioneering ch…
Level C1ClassicsRepresentative English Comedies, v. 1. From the beginnings to ShakespeareExplore the evolution of English comedy from its earliest days through Shakespeare, with carefully selected plays that reveal the social manners, morals, and ideals of past generat…
Level C1ClassicsRenée MauperinIn a world where literary ambition clashes with relentless failure, two brothers pour their souls into every form of art and letters, defying fate and public indifference as they c…
Level C1ClassicsReminiscences, 1819-1899Born into a distinguished family in early 19th-century New York, a woman recalls her childhood and the sweeping changes of her century—from revolutionary heritage to societal progr…
Level C1ClassicsReminiscences of Tolstoy, by His SonA tender portrait of family life unfolds through the eyes of a young boy growing up at Yasnaya Polyana, capturing the warmth, quirks, and daily rhythms around a legendary writer an…
Level C1ClassicsReminiscences of Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Robert SoutheyA reflective memoir exploring the profound lives of Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Robert Southey, revealing their genius, struggles, and the moral lessons woven through their intertw…
Level C1ClassicsReginald in Russia, and Other SketchesIn the opulent yet politically tense salons of Russia, Reginald navigates sharp wit, social satire, and the peculiar customs of aristocratic life.
Level C1ClassicsReginaldA witty social misfit reluctantly endures a garden party, navigating awkward conversations and absurd expectations with sharp humor and irreverent charm.
Level C1ClassicsRegina, or the Sins of the FathersIn the aftermath of Napoleon's fall, a war-torn Germany welcomes back its battered soldiers amid a fragile peace.
Level C1ClassicsRedemption and two other playsIn a Moscow flat, a family grapples with the fallout of a fractured marriage, revealing deep conflicts between love, weakness, and societal expectations.
Level C1ClassicsRedeemedA woman stands firm as her husband seeks a divorce, fighting to keep custody of their child and protect her honor.
Level C1ClassicsRed loveIn post-war Russia, Vassilissa, a young working woman and committed Communist, challenges traditional morals and societal expectations as she confronts the evolving roles of women…
Level C1ClassicsRed Spider, Volume 1 (of 2)In the fading rural parish of Bratton Clovelly, a richly detailed tale unfolds around Hillary Nanspian, a hearty farmer bound by family ties and tradition amid an England on the cu…
Level C1ClassicsRed PottageCaught between societal expectations and personal desires, a man resolves to end a draining affair that once sparked passion but now feels like a prison.
Level C1ClassicsRed Paint at Oxford: SketchesAmidst motoring mishaps and mischievous escapades, a group of Oxford undergraduates navigate their lively ‘Varsity careers with humor and daring.
Level C1ClassicsRed Men and WhiteExplore the turbulent American West through intertwined stories of frontier life, where ancient customs clash with modern progress and vivid characters navigate a land of fierce co…
Level C1ClassicsRecreations of Christopher North, Volume 1Dive into the spirited world of field sports and pastimes, where nature, passion, and human character intertwine in lively tales of shooting, fishing, fox-hunting, and more.
Level C1ClassicsRecords of a GirlhoodA woman reflects on her life through a trove of letters, revealing a lineage marked by resilience and artistic genius, and a childhood shaped by the turbulent backdrop of revolutio…
Level C1ClassicsRecords of Later LifeA newlywed woman reflects on the complexities of marriage, personal growth, and intellectual solitude as she adjusts to life away from her family and prepares to build a home fille…
Level C1ClassicsRecollections: With Photogravure Portrait of the Author and a number of: Original Letters, of which one by George Meredith and: another by Robert Louis Stevenson are reproduced in: facsimileBorn into a transforming English town, a boy discovers the delicate beauty hidden in nature’s simplest forms, from bracken to starlit skies, as he reflects on childhood moments tha…
Level C1ClassicsRecollections: The Reminiscences of the Busy Life of One Who Has Played the Varied Parts of Sailor, Author & LecturerEmbark on a vivid journey through the varied life of a sailor turned author and lecturer, sharing authentic tales from the lecture platform and the high seas.
Level C1ClassicsRecollections of My YouthDive into a rich tapestry of childhood memories, blending legend and reflection, as a man revisits the echoes of his youth and the shaping moments of his past, revealing a poetic a…
Level C1ClassicsRecollections of Captain Wilkie: A Story of an Old OffenderA chance encounter on a train sparks a sharp-witted observer’s curiosity about a mysterious, self-possessed man whose appearance and views defy easy categorization, drawing him int…
Level C1ClassicsReadings from Modern Mexican AuthorsExplore the vibrant literary landscape of Mexico through vivid excerpts that reveal its geography, history, and culture, all captured by the voices of its modern authors.
Level C1ClassicsRank and Talent; A Novel, Vol. 2 (of 3)In a London season buzzing with gossip and high society intrigues, a humble family suddenly finds themselves the center of attention, navigating scandalous rumors and reluctant inv…