Classics
Read Classics Classics in English
5,098 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 Their Silver Wedding Journey — Complete, Their Pilgrimage and Theft: A Play In Four Acts. 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.
- 5,098
- books
Level C1ClassicsLetters of Horace Walpole — Volume IIDive into a vivid collection of 18th-century letters revealing the cultural, political, and social intrigues of England and France—from court scandals and literary debates to revol…
Level C1ClassicsLetters of Horace Walpole — Volume IDive into a vivid collection of letters revealing 18th-century life, politics, and culture—from royal weddings and battles to art and personal reflections—offering an intimate glim…
Level C1ClassicsLetters of George Borrow to the British and Foreign Bible SocietyAn intrepid linguist immerses himself in the challenges of translating sacred texts into Mandchou and Gypsy dialects, navigating cultural nuances and linguistic puzzles with passio…
Level C1ClassicsLetters of Edward FitzGerald, in Two Volumes. Vol. 2Explore intimate letters revealing a 19th-century scholar's struggles with ambition, loss, and his passion for Persian poetry and translation.
Level C1ClassicsLetters of Edward FitzGerald, in Two Volumes. Vol. 1Discover the intimate world of a gentle, witty literary figure through his heartfelt letters, revealing friendships, reflections, and the quiet humor that shaped his life beyond hi…
Level C1ClassicsLetters of Edward FitzGerald to Fanny Kemble (1871-1883)A series of candid letters reveals the intimate friendship between Edward FitzGerald and Fanny Kemble, sharing reflections on life, literature, and personal moments from 1871 to 18…
Level C1ClassicsLetters from the Raven: Correspondence of L. Hearn with Henry WatkinDelve into the intimate correspondence revealing a sensitive writer's struggles with failing sight, his deep fascination with Japan’s culture, and his spiritual journey blending Bu…
Level C1ClassicsLetters from a Landscape PainterJourney through tranquil American landscapes and heartfelt reflections as a landscape painter shares intimate letters capturing nature’s beauty and the quiet joys of life, inviting…
Level C1ClassicsLetters from Switzerland and Travels in ItalyJourney through majestic landscapes and ponder the elusive nature of freedom and human longing as a traveler reflects on Switzerland’s rugged beauty and the yearning to transcend e…
Level C1ClassicsLetters from England, Volume 3 (of 3)Explore the turbulent history and impact of Bible translations in England, from Wickliffe’s controversial work to the fiery trials of Henry VIII’s era, revealing how scripture shap…
Level C1ClassicsLetters from England, Volume 1 (of 3)A foreign traveler arrives in England, offering vivid, firsthand letters that reveal the daily life, customs, and landscapes of the English with keen observation and a candid, impa…
Level C1ClassicsLetters from AmericaEmbark on a vivid journey through early 20th-century America, Canada, and the South Seas, captured in intimate letters that reveal the landscapes, people, and poetic reflections of…
Level C1ClassicsLetters Written During a Short Residence in Sweden, Norway, and DenmarkExplore a vivid journey through Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, where personal letters reveal intimate reflections on friendship, resilience, and the challenges of a woman forging her…
Level C1ClassicsLessons in the Shanghai DialectExplore the rich heritage of the Shanghai Dialect, a language spoken by millions and deeply rooted in ancient Chinese culture.
Level C1ClassicsLess than kinAmid the glittering social scenes and whispered judgments of the opera house, a young woman balances loyalty to her ailing uncle with the pressing demands of love and ambition, nav…
Level C1ClassicsLes liaisons dangereuses, volume 2 (of 2): or, Letters collected in a private society and published for the instruction of othersIn a world of secret passions and calculated deceptions, a tormented lover pleads for truth and connection while others grapple with betrayal and heartbreak.
Level C1ClassicsLes liaisons dangereuses, volume 1 (of 2): or, Letters collected in a private society and published for the instruction of othersIn a scandalous web of seduction and deceit, a collection of intimate letters reveals the manipulative games of a corrupt French aristocracy, exposing the dark passions and moral d…
Level C1ClassicsLes Bijoux Indiscrets, or, The Indiscreet ToysIn a vibrant African kingdom, the birth of Prince Mangogul stirs curiosity and superstition as a skeptical soothsayer grapples with predicting his fate.
Level C1ClassicsLeonore StubbsA daughter’s marriage to a wealthy man turns to ruin when his fortune disappears, leaving her destitute and her family torn between pride and despair.
Level C1ClassicsLeonoraA woman trapped by society's harsh constraints reveals her painful journey through love, marriage, and separation in candid letters that expose the tyranny of prejudice and the que…
Level C1ClassicsLeonoraIn the industrial heart of the Five Towns, Leonora, a proud and beautiful woman on the brink of forty, navigates the tensions of her marriage and the stark contrasts of her world,…
Level C1ClassicsLeon Roch: A Romance, vol. 2 (of 2)In a noble household crumbling under disgrace and poverty, the Marquesa clings to faith and society’s rituals while secrets and scandals simmer beneath the surface.
Level C1ClassicsLeon Roch: A Romance, vol. 1 (of 2)A woman grapples with jealousy and childhood memories as she reads a heartfelt letter from Leon, unraveling a tale of youthful affection, misunderstandings, and sincere devotion th…
Level C1ClassicsLegends: Autobiographical SketchesA disgraced author wrestles with poverty, isolation, and conflicting beliefs while navigating the clash between naturalism and occultism in a small Swedish university town.
Level C1ClassicsLegends of VancouverAncient Indigenous legends come to life through the intimate stories shared by Chief Joe Capilano, revealing the rich cultural tapestry woven into Vancouver's landscapes and histor…
Level C1ClassicsLegends from River & MountainTwin brothers, noble and inseparable, rule from a lofty castle above roaring waterfalls and wild mountains, sharing laughter, love, and legend.
Level C1ClassicsLegends and TalesIn a serene yet untamed California, Father Jose Antonio Haro embarks on a daring missionary journey to convert heathen tribes, encountering mysterious legends and untold challenges…
Level C1ClassicsLegendary Tales of the Highlands (Volume 1 of 3): A sequel to Highland RamblesDelve into mysterious Highland legends, from ghostly water-kelpies to tales of valor and ancient clans, as oral histories and local lore bring Scotland’s rugged past vividly to lif…
Level C1ClassicsLeaves in the WindA solitary train journey through a calm summer night turns into a whimsical battle of wits between a man and a persistent mosquito, blending humor and reflection in a world paused…
Level C1ClassicsLearning and Other EssaysExplore the profound connection between tradition, language, and art as this collection reflects on how learning transmits the echoes of ancient culture and shapes the very fabric…
Level C1ClassicsLe SelveIn a bleak, cold night, an aged peasant lies dying alone in a filthy, uncaring household, where family indifference and harsh survival shape their grim world.
Level C1ClassicsLazy Thoughts of a Lazy Girl: Sister of that "Idle Fellow."A witty and skeptical young woman reflects on love, marriage, and society’s expectations with sharp humor and refreshing honesty, challenging the tender passions that bind most to…
Level C1ClassicsLaviniaIn a village celebrating a national triumph, Lavinia Carew faces personal turmoil as her unconventional friend Féodorovna shocks society by boldly defying norms, stirring scandal a…
Level C1ClassicsLaura Middleton; Her Brother and her LoverIn a grand country estate, old acquaintances rekindle a complex relationship amid family secrets and unexpected visitors, where desire and intrigue intertwine behind closed doors.
Level C1ClassicsLatin Pronunciation: A Short Exposition of the Roman MethodDiscover the authentic sounds of ancient Rome through a clear guide that unpacks the Roman method of Latin pronunciation, backed by classical sources and scholarly consensus to bri…
Level C1ClassicsLast Essays of Maurice HewlettDive into reflective essays tracing a family’s roots from a serene Somerset village to bustling London, exploring heritage, manners, and the deep ties that shape identity and belon…
Level C1ClassicsLast Days in a Dutch Hotel (from Literature and Life)A dwindling group of guests endures the relentless September chill at a vast Dutch hotel, where sea-bathing continues despite the cold and the atmosphere hints at inevitable farewe…
Level C1ClassicsLandolinAs spring breathes life into a tranquil valley, a young man named Anton awakens to a world filled with promise and nature’s vibrant beauty, setting out on a journey shaped by hope,…
Level C1ClassicsLand at Last: A NovelOn a bleak January night in London, the relentless winter weather sets a grim stage where the city's restless crowds struggle through icy streets, revealing the harsh realities of…
Level C1ClassicsLancashire SketchesExplore the rich tapestry of South Lancashire through vivid descriptions of its scenery, local history, and vibrant dialect, capturing the unique character and everyday life of thi…
Level C1ClassicsLancashire Idylls (1898)In a remote Lancashire valley, a newly appointed minister faces the stern Puritan customs and eerie traditions of the moorland community, where the grave-digger rules the burial gr…
Level C1ClassicsLancashire HumourDiscover the rich humor and unique charm of Lancashire through lively anecdotes and sketches that capture the wit, dialect, and spirit of its people, from bustling towns to the rug…
Level C1ClassicsLamia's Winter-QuartersA poetic reflection unfolds during a Tuscan winter stay, where conversations blend wit, politics, and the enigmatic charm of Lamia herself.
Level C1ClassicsLambkin's RemainsDive into the unpublished essays, sermons, and speeches of J.
Level C1ClassicsLalage's LoversA spirited young girl with a sharp wit defies her governess and embraces mischief in a quiet Irish parish, where the churchwarden’s duties are anything but exciting.
Level C1ClassicsLaid up in LavenderIn a world of political intrigue and secret negotiations, Lady Betty Stafford grows restless amid endless councils and confidential telegrams, while her husband navigates the high-…
Level C1ClassicsLaicus; Or, the Experiences of a Layman in a Country Parish.A layman’s journey unfolds in a picturesque village, revealing the challenges, diplomacy, and faith struggles within a country parish.
Level C1ClassicsLafcadio HearnExplore the intimate letters and life story of a reclusive, passionate writer whose unique voice bridged cultures and continents, revealing the deep yearnings and reflections of a…