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.
- 5,467
- books
Level C1ClassicsOliver Constable, miller and baker, Vol. 2 (of 3)In a rural town, Oliver Constable, a miller and baker, sparks a spirited debate over cultivating gardens and forming a field naturalists’ society, challenging local attitudes towar…
Level C1ClassicsOliver Constable, miller and baker, Vol. 1 (of 3)Nestled beside the stately Copley Grange, Friarton Mill stands as a picturesque testament to the harmony of water, wood, and heritage.
Level C1ClassicsOlive: A NovelBorn into a modest Scottish home beneath Stirling’s castle, Olive Rothesay enters a world shadowed by hardship and whispered superstitions.
Level C1ClassicsOle Mars an' Ole MissStep into the lush Eastern Shore of Maryland before the war, where vibrant characters sing, dance, and live amid sprawling estates, fragrant gardens, and flowing rivers.
Level C1ClassicsOldtown Fireside StoriesIn a quiet New England town where winter nights stretch long and wild, children gather by the fire to hear Sam Lawson's eerie tales of wilderness adventures, mysterious dreams, and…
Level C1ClassicsOldfield: A Kentucky Tale of the Last CenturyIn the quiet Pennyroyal Region of Kentucky, two delicate sisters share a tender, ritualized bond in a fading old home, their lives marked by grace and gentle devotion amidst the ch…
Level C1ClassicsOld People and the Things That PassIn a quiet household filled with complex family ties and unspoken tensions, a young man faces the uncertainty of marriage while navigating the delicate bonds with his mother and st…
Level C1ClassicsOld Mr. TredgoldTwo sisters, Katherine and Stella, navigate the contrasts of youth and society beneath the commanding cliffs of the Isle of Wight, where family legacy and personal shadows stir ben…
Level C1ClassicsOld Mole: Being the Surprising Adventures in England of Herbert Jocelyn Beenham, M.A., Sometime Sixth-Form Master at Thrigsby Grammar School in the County of LancasterA dedicated grammar school master known as "Old Mole" fiercely guards his classroom in a dull English town, shaping a talented but wayward pupil whose journey through literature an…
Level C1ClassicsOld Man Savarin, and Other StoriesAn aging fisherwoman recalls the ruthless Old Man Savarin, who seizes control of fishing rights and extorts her village, igniting fierce resistance over ancestral waters along the…
Level C1ClassicsOld Man Curry: Race Track StoriesEnter the world of Old Man Curry, where the thrilling, rugged life of horse racing unfolds through tales of colorful characters and vanished traditions, revealing a bygone era of g…
Level C1ClassicsOld Lady Number 31An aging couple faces the harsh realities of poverty, selling their cherished possessions to secure a future in neighboring old folks’ homes.
Level C1ClassicsOld Lady Mary: A Story of the Seen and the UnseenAn elderly woman reflects on a life filled with beauty, love, loss, and triumphs as she faces the quiet challenge of accepting death.
Level C1ClassicsOld KensingtonIn a tranquil Old Kensington suburb untouched by progress, children like Dolly Vanborough find magic in the echoes of church bells, ivy-clad walls, and timeless memories.
Level C1ClassicsOld Judge PriestIn a worn courthouse warmed by a flickering fire, Judge Priest wrestles with legal papers and the quirks of his old steam heating system, revealing the rhythms of small-town justic…
Level C1ClassicsOld Jabe's Marital Experiments: 1908In the post-Civil War South, Old Jabe, a sly and persistent freedman, navigates freedom on his own terms—trading on his past, juggling numerous wives, and outlasting overseers with…
Level C1ClassicsOld Friends: Essays in Epistolary ParodyDive into a witty collection of imagined letters where beloved literary characters from different worlds and eras engage in humorous and unexpected exchanges, revealing the playful…
Level C1ClassicsOld Fires and Profitable Ghosts: A Book of StoriesHaunted by grief and the mysterious death of his brother, a man confronts the fragile boundary between life and the beyond, where spirits revisit old emotions and forgotten scenes.
Level C1ClassicsOld Familiar FacesStep inside the vibrant world of a literary circle where friendships with celebrated poets and thinkers illuminate a life devoted to art, conversation, and timeless camaraderie.
Level C1ClassicsOld CrowIn postwar Boston, a weary uncle grapples with the harsh realities of life and seeks to pass his burdens onto his idealistic nephew, while a spirited young woman brings unexpected…
Level C1ClassicsOld ChristmasStep back into a time when Christmas was a grand celebration of family, faith, and festive cheer, blending sacred tradition with the warmth of rustic English holiday customs and he…
Level C1ClassicsOff-Hand Sketches, a Little Dashed with HumorA devoted preacher faces the harsh realities of a remote, indifferent circuit, where poverty and ignorance challenge his faith and resolve.![Cover of Of the making of a book by D. Appleton and Company [Compiler]](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da94cstnmvfc73bilhrg.webp)
Level C1ClassicsOf the making of a bookDiscover the meticulous craft behind turning a manuscript into a printed book, with practical guidance on preparing, submitting, and proofreading text to avoid common pitfalls and…
Level C1ClassicsOf the Orthographie and Congruitie of the Britan Tongue: A Treates, noe shorter than necessarie, for the SchoolesExplore the origins of English spelling and grammar through a rare manuscript penned by a renowned 17th-century Scottish schoolmaster, revealing the linguistic education and schola…
Level C1ClassicsOf one blood: or, The hidden selfIn a bleak Boston setting, Reuel Briggs grapples with isolation, poverty, and a haunting knowledge of supernatural phenomena that could upend scientific understanding.
Level C1ClassicsOdds and endsStranded on a desolate Irish road as night falls, two determined ladies face a breakdown and the eerie solitude of the countryside.
Level C1ClassicsOdd Numbers: Being Further Chronicles of Shorty McCabeIn a bustling city, a good-natured local finds himself roped into helping a bashful stranger navigate the bewildering world of extravagant millinery, sparking a quirky adventure th…
Level C1ClassicsOctober VagabondsAs summer fades, a weary soul retreats to a secluded woodland shack, seeking solace and renewal in nature's embrace.
Level C1ClassicsObservations of a Retired VeteranA retired veteran reflects with humor and heartfelt insight on the small, vivid moments of life—from a boy's first bare feet of spring to the trials and joys found in everyday huma…
Level C1ClassicsObservations By Mr. DooleyDive into the witty and sharp observations of everyday life, culture, and human nature as seen through the eyes of Mr.
Level C1ClassicsOblomovA gentle, lethargic nobleman drifts through life in his worn Persian dressing gown, embodying a quiet apathy that blurs the line between grace and inertia.
Level C1ClassicsObil, Keeper of CamelsIn a land where whispers and legends intertwine, Obil, the mysterious keeper of camels, balances his wild desert heritage with a deep devotion to faith and family.
Level C1ClassicsO. T., A Danish RomanceCelebrate the exhilarating moment when youthful scholars pass their first exam and step into newfound freedom, as a lively group of friends gather to honor their achievements with…![Cover of O. Henry memorial award prize stories of 1923 by Society of Arts and Sciences [Editor]](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daffjela8p2c739iu800.webp)
Level C1ClassicsO. Henry memorial award prize stories of 1923Dive into a diverse collection of the finest short stories of 1923, chosen by a committee of editors, critics, and writers for their compelling characters and masterful storytellin…![Cover of O. Henry Memorial Award Prize Stories of 1920 by Society of Arts and Sciences [Editor]](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dagisckup3dc73d99dg0.webp)
Level C1ClassicsO. Henry Memorial Award Prize Stories of 1920Discover a curated collection of the finest American short stories from 1920, each reflecting the spirit and life of the era through award-winning narratives chosen by a distinguis…![Cover of O. Henry Memorial Award Prize Stories of 1919 by Society of Arts and Sciences [Editor]](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da6jhtipmtvc73csnm4g.webp)
Level C1ClassicsO. Henry Memorial Award Prize Stories of 1919Dive into a curated collection of the finest American short stories of 1919, each chosen to honor the spirit and wit of a beloved New York storyteller, offering a rich tapestry of…
Level C1ClassicsO'Flaherty V.C.: A Recruiting PamphletAmidst the turmoil of 1916 Ireland, a bold recruiting sergeant appeals to discontented Irishmen seeking escape and adventure, challenging prejudices and stirring complex loyalties…
Level C1ClassicsNuttie's FatherIn a thriving town rich with schools, churches, and industry, a spirited choir gathers to plan a modest summer outing, stirring debates about culture, community, and the clash of o…
Level C1ClassicsNuts to crack: A galaxy of puzzles, riddles, conundrums, etc.Dive into a collection of clever puzzles, riddles, and wordplay that challenge your wit and delight your mind with surprising twists and linguistic tricks.
Level C1ClassicsNuts and NutcrackersSatirizing the sensationalism of contemporary writers and society’s appetite for exaggerated tales, this sharp critique exposes the blurred lines between truth and fiction in the p…
Level C1ClassicsNurse ElisiaIn a Lincolnshire household fraught with tension and daily trials, Isabel Elthorne navigates the challenges of family duty and care amid her father’s irritable demands and concern…
Level C1ClassicsNumantiaAmidst siege and sacrifice, a city’s fate hangs in the balance as its defenders confront overwhelming odds with unyielding courage and honor, revealing the tragic power and endurin…
Level C1ClassicsNovel NotesIn the shadowed streets of East London, a boy’s fascination with ghosts turns into a poignant reflection on life, memory, and lost innocence.
Level C1ClassicsNouvellettes of the musiciansStep into the vibrant world of 18th-century musicians where passion, rivalry, and the struggle for recognition unfold.
Level C1ClassicsNourmahal, an Oriental romance. Vol. 3 of 3In a lush, spring-warmed Cashmere, a young prince's presence stirs excitement as Nourmahal navigates court intrigues and mysterious visitors bearing news of a distant land and a di…
Level C1ClassicsNourmahal, an Oriental romance. Vol. 2 of 3Amidst the glittering courts and turbulent politics of Mughal India, a prince leads a growing rebellion against his father, the emperor, sparking a fierce struggle for power that t…
Level C1ClassicsNourmahal, an Oriental romance. Vol. 1 of 3In the majestic Himalayan valleys, Kazim Ayas, a scholar and lover, embarks on a perilous quest through shadowy ravines and hidden lakes to rescue his cherished falcon, a precious…
Level C1ClassicsNoughts and Crosses: Stories, Studies and SketchesIn the sweltering heat of London, a diverse group of weary passengers share a silent journey on an overcrowded omnibus, until a young boy's first encounter with the city stirs long…