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 C1ClassicsPamela CensuredExplore the fierce literary battle sparked by a novel praised as a moral guide but swiftly challenged for its truthfulness and virtue.
Level C1ClassicsPainted VeilsA young woman arrives in snowy New York, seeking a fresh start but faces loneliness and uncertainty in a modest hotel filled with music and strangers.
Level C1ClassicsPages from a Journal with Other PapersStep into a vivid 1868 encounter with the formidable Thomas Carlyle, as intimate reflections and candid conversations reveal the struggles and triumphs behind his celebrated works…
Level C1ClassicsPagan PapersJourney along ancient English roads that seem to lead themselves, each path whispering tales of history, nature, and mystery.
Level C1ClassicsPadre Ignacio; Or, The Song of TemptationIn the tranquil mission of Santa Ysabel del Mar, Padre Ignacio longs for a glimpse of the world he left behind, torn between the serene beauty of his exile and the restless memorie…
Level C1ClassicsPaddy-The-Next-Best-ThingStruggling to choose a blouse that matches her colorful wardrobe, lively Paddy Adair enlists her dreamy sister’s help amid playful banter and unexpected visits.
Level C1ClassicsPablo de Segovia, the Spanish SharperFollow the cunning exploits of Pablo de Segovia, a sharp-witted trickster navigating schools, universities, and the bustling streets of Madrid, as he weaves through a world of knav…
Level C1ClassicsP.'s Correspondence (From "Mosses from an Old Manse")A mind caught between past and present blurs reality as a confined man journeys through vivid, spectral encounters with historic figures like Lord Byron.
Level C1ClassicsP'laski's Tunament: 1891In a Virginia county steeped in history, an esteemed visitor known as "Old Hanover" arrives with a grand entourage, sharing tales of loyalty, lineage, and the enduring ties to a va…
Level C1ClassicsOvind: A Story of Country Life in NorwayIn a remote Norwegian valley, young Ovind's simple life intertwines with nature and childhood innocence as he faces a lost goat, a mysterious girl, and the stirring warmth of famil…
Level C1ClassicsOvershadowed: A NovelIn a world where the rich culture of the Negro must survive under the overshadowing dominance of Anglo-Saxon civilization, a noble young woman faces profound struggles and sorrow.
Level C1ClassicsOverruledExplore the complex realities of monogamy, temptation, and jealousy as ordinary people navigate the clash between natural desires and societal conventions, revealing the hidden tru…
Level C1ClassicsOverlookedA blind man reluctantly embraces a month-long stay at a quiet watering-place, where he befriends a novelist struggling to find inspiration.
Level C1ClassicsOver the TeacupsEngage in thoughtful, meandering conversations unfolding over afternoon tea, where characters reveal their nature and hint at unexpected intimacies and love stories, blending refle…
Level C1ClassicsOver the SliprailsA weary group of travelers faces biting cold and eerie silence as they approach a remote shanty where the publican’s wife lies ill, revealing the harsh, unpredictable life on the A…
Level C1ClassicsOver the Plum PuddingA literary editor attempts to publish a unique Christmas collection featuring tales by renowned authors, but unforeseen complications and vanished publishers turn the project into…
Level C1ClassicsOver the Fireside with Silent FriendsStep into quiet twilight conversations that weave memories, friendship, and reflections on life’s fleeting moments, all shared beside a glowing fireside that invites warmth and tho…
Level C1ClassicsOver Strand and Field: A Record of Travel through BrittanyExplore the haunting grandeur of France's historic châteaux, where faded glory and nature's quiet reclaim tell stories of pride, defeat, and timeless beauty along the Loire.
Level C1ClassicsOver Bemerton'sIn bustling Westminster, a weary traveler seeks quiet refuge above a second-hand bookshop, where insomnia meets endless stories and unexpected friendships.
Level C1ClassicsOutside InnA young woman unexpectedly inherits a fortune and dreams of running a tea-room that balances quality and affordability.
Level C1ClassicsOut of the WoodsA young girl caught between two worlds faces family strife and divided loyalties as she journeys through life marked by loss, pride, and the search for belonging beyond the tangled…
Level C1ClassicsOut of the Hurly-Burly; Or, Life in an Odd CornerDiscover the quirky charm of a sleepy village founded centuries ago, where humor and everyday oddities come to life through sharp wit and vivid illustrations, inviting readers to c…
Level C1ClassicsOut of the AshesIn a quiet Fifth Avenue library, a powerful man faces unexpected blackmail involving secret letters that could unravel his vast business empire and alter the fate of Texas properti…
Level C1ClassicsOut of Mulberry Street: Stories of Tenement life in New York CityStep into the bustling streets of New York’s tenements at Christmas, where worn holiday traditions meet the harsh realities of immigrant life, revealing moments of warmth, struggle…
Level C1ClassicsOurikaA young Senegalese girl, raised in French aristocracy, battles haunting memories and deep sorrow within the confines of a convent.
Level C1ClassicsOur VillageStep into a charming rural world where warm friendships, simple joys, and enduring hardships intertwine.
Level C1ClassicsOur Stage and Its Critics: By "E.F.S." of "The Westminster Gazette"Explore the complex world of theatrical criticism and the state of the English stage, revealing its struggles, commercial challenges, and the quest for a true national drama amid e…
Level C1ClassicsOur Nig; Or, Sketches from the Life of a Free Black, in a Two-story White House, North: Showing That Slavery's Shadows Fall Even ThereA free Black woman battles hardship and social scorn in the North, revealing how the shadows of slavery reach even beyond its official bounds.
Level C1ClassicsOur Next-Door NeighborsA woman raised in strict isolation struggles to connect with children and dreams of family, while her husband watches as their quiet life is shaped by the mysterious presence of th…
Level C1ClassicsOur New Neighbors At PonkapogA newly married couple seeks quiet solitude in a remote village where neighbors are wary and mysteries linger.
Level C1ClassicsOur Friend the CharlatanA weary vicar grapples with dwindling income and domestic tensions while anxiously awaiting news from his son, Dyce, whose uncertain plans stir hope and frustration in this intimat…
Level C1ClassicsOur Friend John BurroughsStep into the serene world of a beloved naturalist whose essays reveal the divine in everyday earth and sky.
Level C1ClassicsOur American CousinIn a stately English manor, letters from abroad stir hopes and anxieties among the Trenchard family, revealing secrets, ambitions, and the quirks of high society as they navigate l…
Level C1ClassicsOthmarIn a sunlit forest clearing, a vibrant Court of Love revives the spirited debates and pageantry of Renaissance Italy and France, where wit, charm, and intellect intertwine beneath…
Level C1ClassicsOther Tales and Sketches: (From: "The Doliver Romance and Other Pieces: Tales and Sketches")A traveler approaches Niagara with a mix of anticipation and hesitation, capturing the awe and personal reflections inspired by the mighty falls.
Level C1ClassicsOther Main-Travelled RoadsAmid the rugged Iowa prairie, a hardworking farmer finds unexpected moments of warmth and romance as spring breathes new life into the land and the promise of love stirs beside the…
Level C1ClassicsOssianic controversyExplore the heated debate ignited by the discovery and translation of ancient Gaelic poems, as literary figures clash over their authenticity and origins, revealing deep cultural b…
Level C1ClassicsOscar Wilde: An Idler's ImpressionStep into the vibrant world of Oscar Wilde, where wit and brilliance mask a turbulent fate.
Level C1ClassicsOscar Wilde, a studyExplore the remarkable life of a brilliant poet and playwright whose rise from scholarly success to theatrical fame is shadowed by scandal and imprisonment, revealing the complexit…
Level C1ClassicsOscar Wilde, His Life and Confessions. Volume 2 (of 2)Imprisoned for his scandalous life, a brilliant artist faces two years of harsh labor and isolation, forced to confront whether he will be broken or transcend his suffering.
Level C1ClassicsOscar Wilde, His Life and Confessions. Volume 1 (of 2)Delve into the turbulent life of Oscar Wilde, a brilliant artist ensnared by English puritanism and scandal.
Level C1ClassicsOscar Wilde in outlineExplore the complex life and art of a literary figure whose brilliance and contradictions shaped his work, from his dramatic flair to his challenge against societal norms and his p…
Level C1ClassicsOscar WildeDive into the tumultuous life of a dazzling literary genius whose wit and scandal captivated Victorian society.
Level C1ClassicsOrlóff and His Wife: Tales of the Barefoot BrigadeIn the grimy cellar of a dilapidated house, the fierce, turbulent clash between the shoemaker Orlóff and his wife erupts into violent chaos, witnessed by eager neighbors drawn to t…
Level C1ClassicsOrley FarmA family feud over a contested will ignites a legal battle surrounding Orley Farm, pitting an eldest son against the youngest in a dispute that unearths secrets, loyalty, and the c…
Level C1ClassicsOriginal Short Stories — Volume 10In a bleak Breton village, a ship's surgeon witnesses the harsh customs and the devastating grip of alcohol on a rugged coastal community, revealing a chilling tale of tradition, s…
Level C1ClassicsOriginal Short Stories — Volume 06A struggling clerk from a fallen aristocratic family seizes a rare chance to brighten his family's bleak existence with a country outing, but his inexperience and pride may turn th…
Level C1ClassicsOriginal Short Stories — Volume 03A group sets out on a serene autumn morning along the Normandy coast, where an old painter begins to recount his saddest love affair, blending memories of rustic romance with the e…