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 C1ClassicsMère Giraud's Little DaughterIn a small village, Mère Giraud faces gossip and judgment as her daughter Laure's rise to wealth stirs envy and resentment.
Level C1ClassicsMás vale maña que fuerza: Proverbio en un acto; with notes, exercises, and vocabularyA woman anxiously awaits her husband’s return on their anniversary, suspecting his growing distance while comparing her own marriage to a troubled couple nearby.
Level C1ClassicsMystery and Confidence: A Tale. Vol. 3A mysterious, troubled lord returns to England, haunted by memories of his lost sister, stirring unease among a close-knit circle gathered around a fire.
Level C1ClassicsMystery and Confidence: A Tale. Vol. 2Lady St.
Level C1ClassicsMysteries of Paris — Volume 02In the shadowy corners of Paris, a struggling jeweler faces a grim arrest over debts, while mysterious figures close in on his precious stones and family secrets.
Level C1ClassicsMy tussle with the devil, and other storiesDive into a realm where the spirit of a legendary storyteller returns through a Ouija board, crafting delicate, ethereal tales that blend poetic insight with the mastery of short f…
Level C1ClassicsMy study windowsStep into a world where keen observation of nature reveals simple joys and gentle humor, inviting you outdoors to explore birds, insects, and the quiet wonders of a garden alive wi…
Level C1ClassicsMy heart and my fleshIn a small town where gas lamps flicker and everyday rhythms unfold, young Luce navigates the twilight streets filled with vivid characters and whispered secrets, revealing a world…
Level C1ClassicsMy dear CorneliaAn elegant woman of refined intellect confronts the moral challenges posed by contemporary literature, debating how best to protect the youth from corrupting influences while prese…
Level C1ClassicsMy days and dreamsA sensitive young man grows up feeling like an outcast amid the artificial social world of Brighton, struggling with loneliness and the weight of convention while quietly yearning…
Level C1ClassicsMy Year in a Log CabinA family leaves city life behind to embrace the rugged charm of an old log cabin near the Little Miami River, where rustic repairs and pioneer spirit ignite a year of adventure and…
Level C1ClassicsMy Unknown Chum: "Aguecheek"An American traveler finds solace and inspiration in a cherished, obscure book that captures the essence of art, literature, and life through vivid sketches of foreign voyages and…
Level C1ClassicsMy Summer with Dr. Singletary: Part 2 from Volume V of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierIn a quiet New England village, the death of Dr.
Level C1ClassicsMy Summer in a GardenDiscover the quiet joys and subtle wonders of a summer spent observing nature’s rhythms and secrets in a humble garden, where simple pleasures and thoughtful reflections bring unex…
Level C1ClassicsMy ReminiscencesExplore a vivid tapestry of memory where life’s moments are painted with passion and perspective, revealing the inner journey of a soul maturing alongside its art.
Level C1ClassicsMy Recollections of Lord ByronExperience an intimate portrait of Lord Byron as seen through the eyes of a close confidante, unveiling the man behind the legend and challenging long-held misconceptions with pers…
Level C1ClassicsMy Private Menagerie: from The Works of Theophile Gautier Volume 19A lifelong affection for animals, especially cats and dogs, shapes a tender memoir filled with childhood memories, Parisian life, and the charming tales of beloved pets.
Level C1ClassicsMy New CurateWhen a beloved curate is abruptly transferred, his replacement arrives with a mysterious mix of roughness and charm, stirring the quiet parish into unexpected turmoil and revealing…
Level C1ClassicsMy Neighbors: Stories of the Welsh PeopleIn a tightly woven Welsh village, religion shapes every aspect of life—from the preacher's iron grip to the sacrifices of the faithful—revealing a community bound by faith, fear, a…
Level C1ClassicsMy Mother's Gold Ring: Founded on FactA devoted wife watches her carpenter husband’s descent into alcoholism, as their once joyful home turns to hardship and heartache.
Level C1ClassicsMy Miscellanies, Vol. 2 (of 2)In a remote Breton village, a mysterious stranger known as the Fiend-Fisherman defies superstition and isolation, casting a shadow over the lives of the locals while harboring secr…
Level C1ClassicsMy Miscellanies, Vol. 1 (of 2)A collection of insightful essays and character sketches explores the art of conversation, social quirks, and human nature with wit and warmth, inviting readers to reflect on the e…
Level C1ClassicsMy Memoirs, Vol. VI, 1832 to 1833Step into 1830s Paris as an artist and writer navigates lavish costume balls, political unrest, and the looming threat of cholera, blending vivid social scenes with personal and hi…
Level C1ClassicsMy Memoirs, Vol. IV, 1830 to 1831Experience the turbulent streets of Paris during the July Revolution of 1830 through the eyes of a passionate observer, as barricades rise, allegiances shift, and the fate of a nat…
Level C1ClassicsMy Memoirs, Vol. III, 1826 to 1830Follow the vibrant life of a young aspiring writer navigating the Parisian literary scene of the late 1820s, encountering duels, dramatic successes, and the turbulent cultural shif…
Level C1ClassicsMy Memoirs, Vol. II, 1822 to 1825A vivid journey through early 19th-century France unveils the author's youthful struggles, artistic awakenings, and complex social encounters, painting a rich portrait of ambition…
Level C1ClassicsMy Lord DukeWhen a poet discovers a distant Australian heir to a noble title, he faces a choice between duty and passion.
Level C1ClassicsMy Little LadyA young traveler stranded by a train delay finds himself in the quiet village of Chaudfontaine, where a chance encounter in a sunlit garden promises to change his journey—and his l…
Level C1ClassicsMy Literary ZooDiscover the whimsical world where famous writers reveal their affection for animals and insects, blending humor, history, and heartfelt stories about their beloved literary pets.
Level C1ClassicsMy Life as an AuthorAn introspective author reluctantly opens a window into his literary life, reflecting on the challenges of autobiography and the delicate balance between personal truth and public…
Level C1ClassicsMy Life and Loves, Vol. 1 (of 4)A fearless memoir revealing a lifetime of love, defiance, and scandal, penned by a man who battles censorship and societal norms to tell his unvarnished truth about passion, art, a…
Level C1ClassicsMy Lady Nobody: A NovelOn a scorching July morning, Ursula Rovers toils quietly in her garden, caught between the gentle rhythms of nature and her father’s fervent sermons about life’s spiritual battles.
Level C1ClassicsMy Lady Nicotine: A Study in SmokeA man reflects on his struggle to quit smoking, motivated by love and the promise of marriage, as he navigates the challenges of breaking a deeply ingrained habit and the changing…
Level C1ClassicsMy Friend Pasquale, and Other StoriesA young man confronts a brutal dog-fight among coal-heavers on a desolate London road, igniting a fierce and dangerous clash that will alter his life forever.
Level C1ClassicsMy Friend Annabel LeeAn intense friendship blossoms between a young woman and Annabel Lee, a mysterious Japanese statue brought to life by the sea's haunting presence.
Level C1ClassicsMy Fire Opal, and Other TalesAlone in her home while her husband is away, a woman embraces the freedom of solitude but soon confronts unsettling noises and shadows that challenge her sense of security.
Level C1ClassicsMy Discovery of EnglandAn English-born professor blends British wit with keen observations as he challenges the shallow impressions often made by travelers discovering America, offering a humorous and in…
Level C1ClassicsMy Commonplace BookDive into a rich collection of literary and philosophical quotations shaped by friendships and the vibrant intellectual currents of the 1870s and 1880s, capturing forgotten voices…
Level C1ClassicsMy Actor-Husband: A true story of American stage lifeA devoted wife reveals the harsh realities and moral challenges of life in the theatrical world, where ambition and artistry clash with the demands of marriage.
Level C1ClassicsMy "Pardner" and I (Gray Rocks): A Story of the Middle-WestIn the heart of the untamed West, ambitious journalist Vance Gilder encounters Louise Bonifield, whose mysterious letter hints at urgent business and a connection that could change…
Level C1ClassicsMuslinAn eager young man navigates life’s complexities with wit and spirited observations, seeking to capture every sensation and emotion in a world that challenges his literary and pers…
Level C1ClassicsMurder in Any DegreeA group of artists and critics gather at a club, navigating witty debates on marriage, inspiration, and creativity while their lives intertwine in unexpected ways.
Level C1ClassicsMunster VillageA ruthless nobleman, denied a royal favor, retreats into bitterness while meticulously shaping his son’s education through a principled clergyman torn between conscience and confor…
Level C1ClassicsMummery: A Tale of Three IdealistsIn post-war London, a restless artist returns with his devoted companion, determined to break free from foreign exile and make his mark amidst the city's vibrant creative scene.
Level C1ClassicsMugby JunctionStranded on a stormy night at the desolate Mugby Junction, a solitary traveler confronts eerie trains, shadowy figures, and bleak reflections on life in a place where time seems su…
Level C1ClassicsMudfog and Other SketchesIn the quirky town of Mudfog, where water misbehaves and public houses abound, coal dealer Nicholas Tulrumble rises from humble beginnings to mayoral prominence—yet his sleepy indi…
Level C1ClassicsMrs. Warren's ProfessionA daughter confronts the harsh truths behind her mother’s mysterious wealth, unraveling society’s hypocrisy and the sacrifices women endure in a world where poverty and virtue coll…
Level C1ClassicsMrs. Warren's Daughter: A Story of the Woman's MovementIn early 20th-century London, Vivie Warren navigates the challenges of her mother’s controversial legacy and her own ambitions within the legal world, set against the backdrop of t…