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 C1ClassicsTwilight sleepIn a whirlwind of New York society’s relentless schedules and social causes, a young woman navigates her demanding mother’s tireless activism and the restless energy of youth seeki…
Level C1ClassicsTwilightSeeking solitude to escape illness and intrusive loved ones, a woman rents a shabby seaside house where she discovers mysterious letters and diaries hinting at haunting secrets.
Level C1ClassicsTwice Killed: A Farce in One ActA lovestruck suitor plots a daring rescue to reach his secret beloved hidden behind guarded windows, while a devoted servant schemes to win his own sweetheart with an unusual gift.
Level C1ClassicsTwenty-six and One, and Other StoriesImmerse yourself in vivid tales drawn from the harsh realities of a baker's cellar and the wandering life of tramps, where raw human struggles and resilience unfold with unflinchin…
Level C1ClassicsTwenty-Three Stories by Twenty and Three AuthorsA solitary visitor explores the hauntingly majestic, centuries-old manor of Kerfol, where silence and shadowed history weigh heavily in the autumn light.
Level C1ClassicsTwelve MenAmid the backdrop of 1890s America, Peter emerges as a spirited, unconventional artist who embraces life's contradictions with humor and insight, challenging societal norms and fin…
Level C1ClassicsTurgenev: A StudyExplore the profound humanity and timeless emotions captured in the life and works of a Russian artist whose delicate portrayal of love and character reveals the soul of a nation a…
Level C1ClassicsTurandot: The Chinese SphinxIn imperial Peking, Prince Kalaf returns from exile to find Turandot, the deadly princess who challenges her suitors with riddles—failure means death.
Level C1ClassicsTubal CainA struggling lawyer faces a crushing career failure and a strained engagement, his health unraveling as he contemplates a desperate change at a remote iron forge.
Level C1ClassicsTrue to his Colours: The Life that Wears BestIn a village transformed by coal and industry, a skilled yet wayward ironworker wrestles with his scepticism, indulgence, and a self-made code of morality that challenges both fait…
Level C1ClassicsTriviaA reflective journey through everyday moments, where quiet village life, nature’s rhythms, and fleeting chances reveal the elusive pursuit of happiness and meaning in an ordinary w…
Level C1ClassicsTriumph of the Egg, and Other StoriesStep into a world where restless tales gather outside the mind’s door, each brimming with raw human longing and mystery.
Level C1ClassicsTristram of Blent: An Episode in the Story of an Ancient HouseAn editor wrestles with revealing a scandalous passage from a deceased friend's diary, uncovering a tale of a young woman whose tangled past and unexpected news promise to upend so…
Level C1ClassicsTrifles for the Christmas HolidaysExperience the warmth and bustle of Christmas morning through vivid scenes of joyful children, lively household chatter, and the sweet chaos of holiday traditions, capturing the sp…
Level C1ClassicsTrials and Confessions of a HousekeeperA housekeeper navigates the challenges of modest living, balancing family needs and her longing for beauty, as a mysterious peddler offers to trade cherished china for worn-out clo…
Level C1ClassicsTrent's Trust, and Other StoriesPenniless and alone, Randolph Trent arrives in bustling San Francisco, desperate for work but overwhelmed by the city's indifferent crowds and his own fading hope.
Level C1ClassicsTremendous TriflesTwo boys receive magical wishes: one becomes a giant eager to explore vast wonders, only to find them small and disappointing; the other shrinks to a tiny size and discovers a vast…
Level C1ClassicsTravels with a donkey in the CevennesEmbark on a solitary journey through the rugged Cevennes mountains, accompanied by a steadfast donkey and a uniquely crafted sleeping sack, as a traveler seeks freedom, friendship,…
Level C1ClassicsTravelling SketchesA family's autumn tour abroad reveals the humorous struggles and shifting dynamics as they navigate foreign sights, social expectations, and the realities of travel, all while tryi…
Level C1ClassicsTravelers Five Along Life's Highway: Jimmy, Gideon Wiggan, the Clown, Wexley Snathers, Bap. SloanFive distinct travelers journey along life’s challenging highway, each embodying the joys, sorrows, and mysteries of human experience, revealing the profound connections and dramas…
Level C1ClassicsTranslations from the German (Vol 3 of 3): Tales by Musæus, Tieck, RichterA wealthy merchant’s ostentatious display of wealth conceals a precarious fortune, inherited by his carefree son who squanders it in lavish feasts and folly.
Level C1ClassicsTraits of American Humour, Vol. 3 of 3Explore the rich tapestry of American humor shaped by diverse regions and cultures, from the stern Puritan origins of New England to the inventive, resilient spirit of the Yankee,…
Level C1ClassicsTraits of American Humour, Vol. 2 of 3Explore the rich diversity of American humor shaped by regional quirks, history, and character—from the hardy, inventive Yankees of New England to the rollicking spirits of the Wes…
Level C1ClassicsTraits of American Humour, Vol. 1 of 3Explore the rich diversity of American humor shaped by distinct regional cultures, from the stern Puritanical East to the lively, inventive West, revealing a complex blend of pract…
Level C1ClassicsTraditions of Lancashire, Volume 2Explore the rich lore and history of Lancashire, where ancient halls, family legends, and local folklore intertwine—unveiling tales of haunted mills, noble estates, and daring enco…
Level C1ClassicsTracy Park: A NovelWhen Arthur Tracy unexpectedly returns to claim his ancestral estate, his brother Frank faces the threat of losing the luxurious life he’s built at Tracy Park, setting the stage fo…
Level C1ClassicsTracks of a Rolling StoneA vivid memoir unfolds through childhood memories intertwined with historical moments, from royal encounters to family tales of battle.
Level C1ClassicsTown Versus CountryA country father fears his son has been spoiled by city life and luxury, while his daughter hopes for his return to the family farm.
Level C1ClassicsTower of Ivory: A NovelIn vibrant Munich, young diplomat John Ordham becomes captivated by the enigmatic opera singer Margarethe Styr, whose commanding presence on stage stirs deep, unsettling emotions.
Level C1ClassicsTouch and Go: A Play in Three ActsIn a world where theatre often reduces people to mere roles or parts, this play challenges the stage to show true human beings—complex individuals caught in the raw realities of la…
Level C1ClassicsTorn Sails: A Tale of a Welsh VillageIn a humble Welsh village nestled between rugged hills, the daily rhythms of life unfold around a lively river and a bustling sail-making workshop.
Level C1ClassicsTony ButlerIn a remote Irish cottage beside the legendary Giant's Causeway, Tony Butler grows up strong and brave but struggles with learning and memory.
Level C1ClassicsTongues of ConscienceAs night falls over a remote northern isle, Reverend Peter Uniacke confronts the haunting mysteries of life, death, and faith amid the rugged lives of fishermen and the relentless…
Level C1ClassicsTomorrow's tangleIn the harsh, unforgiving Utah desert of the 1850s, a pioneer family faces tragedy and the brutal realities of frontier life, where survival demands resilience amid loss and the re…
Level C1ClassicsTommy and Co.In foggy London, the enigmatic Tommy—neither boy nor girl—arrives at journalist Peter Hope’s door, seeking work and sparking curiosity with a mysterious past and uncertain identity…
Level C1ClassicsTomaso's Fortune and Other StoriesIn the chaos of war, a dedicated field doctor and his team navigate the brutal realities of the front, where medical duties clash with the harshness of battle and unexpected arriva…
Level C1ClassicsTom Tiddler's GroundA curious Traveller arrives in a sleepy English village to uncover the mystery of Tom Tiddler’s ground, a peculiar place where a reclusive hermit named Mr.
Level C1ClassicsTom Clark and His Wife: Their Double Dreams, And the Curious Things that Befell Them Therein; Being the Rosicrucian's StoryA mysterious traveler aboard a steamer reveals his uncanny ability to journey in spirit to a hidden realm, weaving profound stories and grappling with the soul’s deepest enigmas as…
Level C1ClassicsTolstoy on Shakespeare: A Critical Essay on ShakespeareA lifelong struggle with Shakespeare's celebrated works leads to a provocative critique that challenges the universal acclaim of the Bard's genius.
Level C1ClassicsTolstoyExplore the profound impact of a literary giant whose works illuminated a generation, revealing a vast new world through stories of life, passion, and the human spirit.
Level C1ClassicsTolstoyExplore the rise of Russian literature through the lens of Tolstoy's life and works, revealing how deep sincerity and profound compassion shape the psychological novel and reflect…
Level C1ClassicsTold in the Hills: A NovelIn the shadowed streets of old New Orleans, a dark, brooding man confronts his polished counterpart over a secret that threatens family honor and loyalty.
Level C1ClassicsTold in the Coffee House: Turkish TalesIn a bustling Turkish coffee house, timeless tales unfold, revealing the customs and wisdom of the people.
Level C1ClassicsTold in a French Garden: August, 1914In the summer of 1914, old acquaintances reunite unexpectedly in a charming French village, sharing stories and secrets amid a lush garden that becomes a sanctuary as the shadow of…
Level C1ClassicsTold After SupperOn Christmas Eve, when ghosts hold their grand annual parade, a group of storytellers gather to share eerie tales of hauntings, misfortunes, and spectral antics that reveal the cur…
Level C1ClassicsToilers of the seaIn the rugged isolation of Guernsey, a solitary hero battles the relentless sea and his own fate, embodying a fierce rebellion against nature’s overwhelming force.
Level C1ClassicsToilers of Babylon: A NovelAn aging caravan creaks along Surrey’s country roads, carrying a melancholic man and his daughter who find solace in poetry and simple pleasures.
Level C1ClassicsTogetherOn a warm June morning, Isabelle stands poised at the altar, caught between the past and an uncertain future as she prepares to unite her life with a stranger who is about to becom…