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 C1ClassicsPrincess Napraxine, Volume 2 (of 3)In a world of high society and sharp wit, Princess Nadine commands her mornings with swims, letters, and sharp-tongued banter, navigating intrigues and alliances beneath the polish…
Level C1ClassicsPrincess Napraxine, Volume 1 (of 3)An imperious princess arrives at her eagerly anticipated winter villa on the French Riviera, only to find the charming estate a chaotic jumble of architectural styles and unexpecte…
Level C1ClassicsPrincessA family faces uproar and resistance as they prepare to leave city comforts for a Virginia farm, hoping the southern air will heal their ailing son.
Level C1ClassicsPrimus AnnusDiscover a fresh approach to learning Latin through the Direct Method, where grammar is taught by imitation and oral practice, making the language come alive with spoken exercises…
Level C1ClassicsPride: One of the Seven Cardinal SinsA retired naval commander lives quietly with his fiery housekeeper, locked in a subtle but relentless battle over their shared garden and deep-seated political grudges, revealing h…
Level C1ClassicsPride and Prejudice, a play founded on Jane Austen's novelIn a refined English countryside, the spirited Elizabeth Bennet navigates societal expectations and complex relationships, especially with the proud yet intriguing Mr.
Level C1ClassicsPress CuttingsIn a world where suffragettes disrupt the status quo, a disguised Prime Minister turns to a wary General to navigate political upheaval and unexpected resignations, revealing the f…
Level C1ClassicsPrescott of SaskatchewanIn a rough prairie town simmering with ethnic tensions and violence, Prescott navigates the harsh realities of frontier life and fractured communities.
Level C1ClassicsPrejudicesDelve into a candid exploration of human nature through the lens of our complex relationships with dogs, revealing how true affection and personal truths emerge in unexpected ways.
Level C1ClassicsPrefaces to Four Seventeenth-Century Romances: Roger Boyle, Lord Broghill, preface to Parthenissa (1655) Sir George Mackenzie, "Apologie for romances," prefixed to Aretina, the serious romance (1660) Nathaniel Ingelo, preface to Bentivolio and Urania (1660) Robert Boyle, preface to Theodora and Didymus (1687)Explore the 17th-century struggle to redefine Romance as a serious art form, balancing heroic tales with realism and style, through four prefaces revealing the authors’ quest for a…
Level C1ClassicsPreface to ShakespeareExplore the enduring genius behind Shakespeare’s timeless appeal as this preface unravels how his faithful portrayal of universal human nature has captivated audiences through cent…
Level C1ClassicsPrecious baneIn a remote Shropshire countryside, Prudence, marked by a harelip and scorned by neighbors, finds unexpected love and acceptance through the gentle weaver Kester, while her brother…
Level C1ClassicsPrecious balmsDive into a witty exploration of criticism and authorship, where the clash between creators and reviewers reveals the vibrant tension behind literary fame and silence.
Level C1ClassicsPrecaution: A NovelIn a world shaped by wilderness and society’s strictures, a young man navigates the perils of love, honor, and deception.
Level C1ClassicsPray You, Sir, Whose Daughter?Three young women from different social classes confront the harsh realities of poverty, dependence, and societal injustice, revealing the deep struggles for self-reliance and eman…
Level C1ClassicsPractice Book, Leland Powers SchoolExplore the art of vocal expression through vivid exercises that awaken vitality and sharpen mental clarity, blending powerful imagery, classic speeches, and poetic rhythms to enha…
Level C1ClassicsPosthumous Works of the Author of A Vindication of the Rights of WomanIn a world where society’s laws and customs oppress women, a sensitive and intelligent woman faces the anguish of a loveless marriage that stifles her mind and spirit, revealing th…
Level C1ClassicsPost-Biblical Hebrew Literature: An AnthologyExplore the rich legacy of Hebrew literature beyond the biblical era, tracing how poets, philosophers, and scholars kept the language alive through centuries of cultural shifts and…
Level C1ClassicsPort Argent: A NovelIn a city shaped by unpredictable forces and shifting fortunes, an aging man reflects on the rise of Port Argent, where political intrigue and social change collide along bustling…
Level C1ClassicsPopular Sayings from Old IberiaDiscover the wisdom and wit of Spanish sentiment through timeless popular sayings that reveal the heart's history, exploring love, faithfulness, ambition, and kindness in vivid, po…
Level C1ClassicsPoor RelationsIn a Parisian world of bitter envy and hidden malice, a cunning woman sets out to destroy her prosperous relatives, weaving a dark tale of deceit, rivalry, and the corrosive power…
Level C1ClassicsPoor JackBorn into a naval family steeped in seafaring tradition and eccentric characters, a young man recounts his father’s adventures aboard the frigate Druid, navigating pride, seasickne…
Level C1ClassicsPoor FolkIn a humble tenement filled with a mix of strangers, a tender correspondence unfolds between two souls clinging to hope and love amid hardship, revealing the quiet struggles and he…
Level C1ClassicsPonkapog PapersStep into a world of witty reflections and vivid sketches, where an author's keen observations paint a portrait of society, art, and human nature with humor and insight.
Level C1ClassicsPolyeucteAn Armenian noble wrestles between his Christian faith and the love of his wife amid a tense political and spiritual conflict.
Level C1ClassicsPolly of the CircusAmid the dazzling chaos of the Great American Circus, Polly, a young acrobat with a tender heart, watches a newcomer take on the perilous "Leap of Death" stunt, revealing the harsh…
Level C1ClassicsPolite Conversation in Three DialoguesStep into the sharp wit and biting irony of early 18th-century society, where polished manners mask the lively, often coarse realities of polite conversation.
Level C1ClassicsPole Baker: A NovelA planter returns to his mountain land, greeted by colorful locals including Pole Baker, a fearless former moonshiner with a fierce reputation and dangerous enemies.
Level C1ClassicsPoison: A FarceA sharp-witted farce unfolds as characters navigate a tangled web of misunderstandings and comedic mishaps.
Level C1ClassicsPoints of frictionExplore the tension between history’s grand events and everyday life as this collection of essays reflects on human endurance, the significance of historic moments, and the fatigue…
Level C1ClassicsPoints of ViewExplore a thoughtful critique on the fading art of humor and the rise of solemn seriousness in literature, questioning whether laughter still has a place in a world increasingly do…
Level C1ClassicsPoints of Humour, Part 2 (of 2)Dive into a world of whimsical characters and eccentric humor, where a jealous hunchback lord courts a fair maiden amidst quirky minstrels and absurd antics—each scene vividly brou…
Level C1ClassicsPoints of Humour, Part 1 (of 2)Dive into a world where wit and vivid illustrations bring to life a gallery of humorous anecdotes and lively characters, from jolly beggars to spirited vagrants, all captured with…
Level C1ClassicsPlotting the short storyUnlock the secrets of storytelling by discovering how to spot and develop germ-plots—those sparks of inspiration hidden in everyday life that can ignite unforgettable short stories…
Level C1ClassicsPlays: Complete Edition, Including the Posthumous PlaysExplore the intense moral and spiritual struggles that arise when a man challenges societal norms, demanding a radical new way of life.
Level C1ClassicsPlays: Being: An unhistorical pastoral: A romantic farce: Bruce, a chronicle play: Smith, a tragic farce: and Scaramouch in Naxos, a pantomime.Shipwrecked nobles return to their homeland after perilous sea voyages, haunted by lost sons and uncertain fates.
Level C1ClassicsPlays, written by Sir John Vanbrugh, volume the secondIn a bustling Covent Garden, the sharp-tongued Mrs.
Level C1ClassicsPlays for small stagesStep into an intimate world where amateur players bring fresh, heartfelt dramas to life in a tiny neighborhood theater.
Level C1ClassicsPlays by August Strindberg: Creditors. Pariah.In a tense psychological drama, two men confront the enigmatic Tekla, revealing her complex debts and the intricate power struggles beneath her poised exterior.
Level C1ClassicsPlays by August Strindberg, Third SeriesDive into a collection that traces a playwright’s journey from naturalistic revolt to mystic symbolism, weaving Swedish folklore, fairy tales, and poetic drama into hauntingly beau…
Level C1ClassicsPlays by August Strindberg, Second seriesDive into a profound exploration of spiritual turmoil and redemption as characters confront crimes beyond the law—those against the soul and divine order—in a series of intense, my…
Level C1ClassicsPlays by August Strindberg, Fourth SeriesIn the heart of Sweden's Dalecarlia, a deeply rooted community clings to ancient customs, rugged landscapes, and poetic traditions that shape their lives and stories.
Level C1ClassicsPlays by August Strindberg, First SeriesDive into a gripping collection where personal turmoil and existential reflection intertwine, revealing a man’s struggle with doubt, isolation, and the haunting shadows of his past…
Level C1ClassicsPlays by Anton Chekhov, Second SeriesExplore the subtle tensions and unspoken desires of Russian life through a collection of plays where characters wrestle with inaction, unfulfilled dreams, and the quiet tragedies h…
Level C1ClassicsPlays : First SeriesIn a wealthy Liberal MP's home, a rebellious young man stumbles in late with a stolen reticule, sparking a tense clash between social classes as a disheveled stranger seizes the mo…
Level C1ClassicsPlaysExplore the gritty realities and moral complexities of 19th-century Russian merchant life through sharp satire and vivid drama, where family, commerce, and society collide in a wor…
Level C1ClassicsPlain Living: A Bush IdyllIn the harsh Australian outback, pastoral tenant Harold Stamford battles a devastating drought that threatens his family’s station and legacy.
Level C1ClassicsPink and White Tyranny: A Society NovelIn a heartfelt letter from a young fan, the joys and trials of childhood come alive through games, family bonds, and the everyday adventures of six siblings.