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 C1ClassicsMemories: A Story of German LoveExplore tender memories of childhood and love through poetic prose that reflects on life’s mysteries, growth, and the bittersweet passage of time, inviting readers into a world of…
Level C1ClassicsMemories of HawthorneEnter the intimate world of Sophia Hawthorne through her profound letters, revealing a life entwined with love, artistry, and the vibrant literary circles of 19th-century America,…
Level C1ClassicsMemories and PortraitsExplore a tapestry of memories and portraits that weave together childhood, family, and the evolving identity of a nation divided by language, culture, and tradition—where foreignn…
Level C1ClassicsMemorials of the Life of Amelia Opie: Selected and Arranged from her Letters, Diaries, and other ManuscriptsExplore the intimate letters and diaries revealing the life of a compassionate woman whose literary talents and unwavering benevolence touched many.
Level C1ClassicsMemorials and Other Papers — CompleteExplore a collection of reflective essays and papers penned amid personal trials, offering vivid accounts of historical events, mysterious crimes, and philosophical musings, all re…
Level C1ClassicsMemoirs of the Life of Sir Walter Scott, Volume 6 (of 10)Explore the intimate letters and reflections surrounding the declining health of the Duke of Buccleuch, revealing the personal struggles and duties entwined with friendship, nobili…
Level C1ClassicsMemoirs of the Life of Sir Walter Scott, Volume 4 (of 10)Follow the intimate journey of a literary giant relocating to Abbotsford, where generosity meets hardship, and friendships bloom amid creative pursuits and heartfelt correspondence…
Level C1ClassicsMemoirs of the Life of Sir Walter Scott, Volume 1 (of 10)Delve into the detailed life and times of Sir Walter Scott through a richly annotated narrative that unveils his literary world, personal relationships, and the historical figures…
Level C1ClassicsMemoirs of the Author of a Vindication of the Rights of WomanExplore the early life and resilient spirit of a remarkable woman who challenges the harsh confines of family and society to become a guiding force for change.
Level C1ClassicsMemoirs of a millionaireAmid the idle wealth and political apathy of Boston’s elite, a vibrant woman named Mildred Brewster challenges the complacency of her social circle, sparking a tale of vision, gene…
Level C1ClassicsMemoirs of William WordsworthExplore the life of a poet who sought to revive the true power of poetry, retreating to nature’s solitude to find inspiration and renew the art’s ancient, spiritual purpose amid a…
Level C1ClassicsMemoirs of My Dead LifeIn a candid exploration of life, love, and societal conventions, a provocative writer confronts the clash between artistic freedom and moral boundaries, challenged by unsettling le…
Level C1ClassicsMemoirs of Miss Sidney Biddulph: Extracted from her own Journal, and now first publishedA young woman’s journal reveals the harsh realities of virtue and misfortune, exploring how true goodness often meets with adversity in life, yet faith offers hope beyond worldly j…
Level C1ClassicsMemoirs of Margaret Fuller Ossoli, Volume IIAmid the intellectual circles of 1839 Jamaica Plain, a fiercely independent and brilliant young woman challenges social conventions with her sharp wit, profound insights, and unyie…
Level C1ClassicsMemoirs of Margaret Fuller Ossoli, Volume IBorn into a world of loss and longing, a young woman reflects on her childhood shaped by family, grief, and an early hunger for knowledge and truth.
Level C1ClassicsMemoirs of Life and LiteratureExplore a personal journey through Victorian England’s shifting social, religious, and intellectual landscapes, as reflections on family, society, and literature reveal the profoun…
Level C1ClassicsMemoirs of Joseph GrimaldiStep behind the curtain to explore the enchanting world of clowns, pantomimes, and theatrical magic through the eyes of a lifelong enthusiast.
Level C1ClassicsMemoirs of Fanny HillAn orphaned young woman ventures from her rural village to London, seeking fortune and independence amid the city's dazzling sights and hidden dangers.
Level C1ClassicsMemoirs of Eighty YearsAn octogenarian reflects on a lifetime shaped by family legacy, fleeting memories, and a quest for true education beyond mere knowledge.
Level C1ClassicsMemoirs of Carwin the Biloquist (A Fragment)A curious boy defies his father's strict limits to pursue forbidden knowledge, driven by an insatiable thirst for mystery and discovery.
Level C1ClassicsMemoirs of Arthur Hamilton, B. A. of Trinity College, Cambridge: Extracted from His Letters and Diaries, with Reminiscences of His Conversation by His Friend Christopher Carr of the Same CollegeA thoughtful soul navigates the tensions between tradition and dissent in religious and intellectual life at Cambridge, revealing the inner struggles of a reflective temperament.
Level C1ClassicsMemoirs and Posthumous Works of Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin, Vol. 1Explore the formative years of a remarkable woman whose sharp intellect and resilient spirit overcome a harsh upbringing marked by familial indifference and strict discipline, reve…
Level C1ClassicsMemoir of a BrotherDiscover the quiet strength and steadfast principles of an unassuming English gentleman whose life, though free of sensational adventure, reveals the true ballast of a nation throu…
Level C1ClassicsMemoir of Jane AustenDiscover the intimate portrait of a beloved author through the memories of her nephew, revealing the warmth, character, and quiet life behind the timeless novels that continue to c…
Level C1ClassicsMembers of the FamilyJourney to a fading Wyoming where the wild antelope once roamed and cowboys ruled the plains, now transformed by progress and memory.
Level C1ClassicsMelomaniacsIn a haunting hall where music and faith collide, Baruch Mendoza faces the Grand Inquisitor's relentless demand to renounce his heresies.
Level C1ClassicsMelmoth ReconciledIn a society where mediocrity is rewarded and genius is stifled, the life of a humble cashier unfolds—a man trapped in routine, bound by societal expectations, and caught between v…
Level C1ClassicsMelincourtIn a biting satire filled with political lampoon and sharp social critique, a cast of characters navigates a world rife with hypocrisy, mistaken ideals, and the clash of radical th…
Level C1ClassicsMehalah: A Story of the Salt MarshesAmid the wild, shifting salt marshes between sea and land, a strong-willed girl defies hardship and fierce family ties, living on a remote island where nature’s beauty and danger i…
Level C1ClassicsMeg, of ValenciaA devoted mother faces heartache as her beloved son chooses a religious calling, shaped by his late father's faith, over a life of worldly joys and family hopes.
Level C1ClassicsMedoline Selwyn's WorkA young English ward embarks on a long, solitary journey through quiet countryside, navigating unfamiliar people and places while carrying the weight of her past and uncertain futu…
Level C1ClassicsMedley Dialect Recitations, Comprising a Series of the Most Popular Selections in German, French, and ScotchStep into lively scenes where German, French, and Scotch dialects bring humor and character to life through spirited recitations, perfect for readers and performers seeking charmin…
Level C1ClassicsMedical Essays, 1842-1882Explore provocative essays challenging medical orthodoxy and exposing widespread superstitions in 19th-century practice, revealing the tension between innovative science and entren…
Level C1ClassicsMeadow Grass: Tales of New England LifeStep into the quiet charm of Tiverton, where childhood games, secret rivers, and the simple beauty of meadows shape a world untouched by time.
Level C1ClassicsMay; vol. IIA woman devoted to her family faces a profound emptiness when her lifelong duties come to an end, leaving her adrift in a quiet town filled with memories and silent longing.
Level C1ClassicsMay; vol. IIn a steadfast Scottish family home where tradition meets quiet dignity, two brothers defy expectations—one a reliable laird, the other an orderly bachelor—both bound by loyalty as…
Level C1ClassicsMay BrookeIn a storm-darkened mansion, cynical guardian Mark Stillinghast begrudgingly watches over the hopeful young May Brooke, whose gentle spirit contrasts his bitter past as she faces t…
Level C1ClassicsMaxwell Drewitt, vol. 1 of 2In a quiet Irish cottage, Maxwell Drewitt and his uneasy companion Tim Ryan navigate a world where appearances deceive and trust is a dangerous gamble.
Level C1ClassicsMaxims for RevolutionistsSharp and provocative maxims dissect power, society, and human nature, challenging conventional wisdom on government, democracy, education, and marriage with wit and radical insigh…
Level C1ClassicsMaxim GorkiExperience the passionate world of a transformative Russian writer whose life and works illuminate the struggles of society, personal hardship, and the rise of new heroes through v…
Level C1ClassicsMax Havelaar;A passionate exposé reveals the brutal exploitation of natives under Dutch colonial rule in the Indies, challenging the complacency of a prosperous coffee broker and society itself…
Level C1ClassicsMax FargusIn a modest New York street overshadowed by ambition and struggle, a mysterious man arrives with news that could change everything for a woman clinging to hope.
Level C1ClassicsMaupratIn a world shaped by rigid social codes, a young man torn between brutality and tenderness embarks on a journey of self-discovery and love, challenging conventions and revealing th…
Level C1ClassicsMattie:—A Stray (Vol 3 of 3)In a world where ambition meets sudden downfall, Sidney Hinchford grapples with shattered dreams and bitterness, while Mattie faces choices that could alter their intertwined fates…
Level C1ClassicsMattie:—A Stray (Vol 1 of 3)In the foggy streets of Southwark, a bright-eyed girl clings to the shadows outside a lively stationer's shop, where a small party unfolds above.
Level C1ClassicsMatthew ArnoldExplore the life and influence of a Victorian intellectual whose prose and poetry shaped an era, revealing his deep humanity and the complexities behind his public persona through…
Level C1ClassicsMatisse Picasso and Gertrude Stein: With Two Shorter StoriesExplore the intimate reflections on identity and the fragile beginnings of life, as the narrator delves into the universal experience of being a helpless baby and the complex feeli…
Level C1ClassicsMathildaA haunting tale of forbidden love unfolds as Mathilda grapples with her father's dark obsession, his tragic suicide, and her retreat into isolation on a lonely heath, revealing dee…