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 C1ClassicsMaterials and Methods of Fiction: With an Introduction by Brander MatthewsExplore the rise of the novel from its humble, often scorned beginnings to its emergence as a respected literary form, tracing its evolution alongside epic poetry and drama while u…
Level C1ClassicsMasterpieces of the masters of fictionDive into a satirical romp where a giant born in the most bizarre manner embarks on wild adventures, battles absurd foes, and discovers a utopia where freedom reigns and virtue flo…
Level C1ClassicsMasterpieces of American Wit and HumorDive into a rich collection of sharp wit and humor from America's greatest writers, exploring the fading art of laughter amidst rising seriousness and moral scrutiny.
Level C1ClassicsMasterman and SonA self-made builder seizes a chance to transform his fortune and social standing by investing in a prestigious London suburb, navigating ambition, risk, and the delicate dance of r…
Level C1ClassicsMaster and ManOn a bitter winter day, a landowner rushes to secure a valuable grove while his loyal but troubled servant prepares their horse for the journey, setting the stage for a tense tale…
Level C1ClassicsMasques & PhasesDive into a world where archaeology meets literary art, exploring the profound impact of ancient relics and timeless myths through essays and stories that blur the lines between fi…
Level C1ClassicsMasks and Faces; or, Before and Behind the Curtain: A Comedy in Two ActsIn the bustling world behind the theatre curtain, actors and critics collide over art, ambition, and love as rival suitors vie for the captivating actress Mrs.
Level C1ClassicsMary: A FictionA thoughtful woman defies conventional roles, exploring her mind’s vast powers beyond society’s shallow expectations.
Level C1ClassicsMary WollastonIn post-WWI New York, a celebrated surgeon grapples with a strained relationship with his devoted daughter, whose defiance and heartbreak ripple through their genteel household.
Level C1ClassicsMary Russell MitfordExplore the life of Mary Russell Mitford, a woman whose tender charm masks a tragic devotion to an unworthy cause, set against the quiet backdrop of early Victorian Hampshire and m…
Level C1ClassicsMary RoseIn a silent, timeworn Sussex manor, a weary soldier returns to unravel the house’s haunting past, where shadows cling to peeling wallpaper and whispered memories linger in the cold…
Level C1ClassicsMary Olivier: a LifeA young girl navigates a confusing world filled with eerie shadows and complex family dynamics, where love and fear intertwine in the quiet moments of infancy.
Level C1ClassicsMary MarstonIn a quaint, shadowed town, a humble draper’s shop becomes the backdrop for delicate negotiations and quiet connections, where young Mary Marston’s simple voice and steadfast chara…
Level C1ClassicsMary Magdalene: A Play in Three ActsIn a Roman garden overlooking Bethany, a retired scholar and a military tribune discuss the enigmatic Mary Magdalene, a woman whose mysterious past and complex relationships stir c…
Level C1ClassicsMary Gresley, and An Editor's TalesA young woman named Mary Gresley captivates with her gentle spirit and quiet strength amid sorrow, drawing the protective affection of an older editor who witnesses her struggles a…
Level C1ClassicsMary AndersonAmid the fragrant gardens and crashing Atlantic waves, a captivating actress retreats to her peaceful Long Branch home, where passion for the stage and nature intertwine in a world…
Level C1ClassicsMaryIn a secluded Norwegian fjord, the Krog family estate stands as a peaceful refuge shaped by history and nature.
Level C1ClassicsMartin EdenA rough seafarer steps into a refined world, feeling out of place yet mesmerized by art and literature that ignite a fierce yearning within him.
Level C1ClassicsMarried or single?, Vol. 3 (of 3)A tense afternoon gathering turns electrifying when Mr.
Level C1ClassicsMarried or single?, Vol. 1 (of 3)In a grand suburban mansion turned schoolroom, Madeline West navigates the harsh shift from cherished pupil to overworked governess, balancing duty, pride, and the sting of lost pr…
Level C1ClassicsMarried Life; Its Shadows and SunshineExplore the complexities of marriage through the eyes of a wife navigating the challenges of love, expectations, and true companionship.
Level C1ClassicsMarried Life: A Comedy, in Three ActsIn a witty exploration of marriage, a couple navigates jealousy, misunderstandings, and social intrigues, revealing the humorous tensions beneath domestic life.
Level C1ClassicsMarriedA fierce exploration of marriage and gender roles unfolds as a man confronts his evolving views on women and society, revealing raw truths shaped by personal experience and relentl…
Level C1ClassicsMarriage à la modeA young man embarks on a tense journey to America with hopes of forging new opportunities, while his skeptical uncle criticizes the country's history and the extravagance of the tr…
Level C1ClassicsMarket Harborough, and Inside the BarAn experienced horseman and justice of the peace, Mr.
Level C1ClassicsMark Twain: A Biography. Volume II, Part 2: 1886-1900Dive into the rich intellectual life of Mark Twain between 1886 and 1900, where his passionate study of Browning's poetry and skeptical view of contemporary literature reveal a man…
Level C1ClassicsMark Twain: A Biography. Volume I, Part 1: 1835-1866Explore the early life and lineage of Samuel Clemens, tracing the roots and family stories that shaped the man known as Mark Twain.
Level C1ClassicsMark Twain: A Biography. CompleteExplore the life behind the legend as this detailed biography traces the roots, family, and early years of a beloved American humorist, revealing the man beyond his stories through…
Level C1ClassicsMark Twain's SpeechesDive into a collection where sharp wit meets heartfelt reflection, capturing speeches that blend humor, insight, and social commentary—from literary dinners to thoughts on educatio…
Level C1ClassicsMark Twain's Letters — Volume 6 (1907-1910)Dive into the witty and reflective letters of a literary giant as he grapples with human nature, literary censorship, and honors like an Oxford degree, all while managing personal…
Level C1ClassicsMark Twain's Letters — Volume 5 (1901-1906)A sharp and candid collection of letters reveals a transformed Mark Twain—no longer just a humorist, but a fierce reformer challenging Church, State, and social hypocrisies with wi…
Level C1ClassicsMark Twain's Letters — Volume 4 (1886-1900)Explore intimate letters revealing Mark Twain's family life, theatrical home performances, and a poignant secret romance held by his mother for over sixty years, blending humor, no…
Level C1ClassicsMark Twain's Letters — Volume 1 (1853-1866)Discover the unfiltered thoughts and early life of a legendary humorist through candid letters revealing his boyhood struggles, budding career, and ambitious dreams beyond the smal…
Level C1ClassicsMark Rutherford's DeliveranceStruggling with limited means, a man secures a commission to report on the chaotic debates of the House of Commons, exposing the tedious repetition and political skepticism that un…
Level C1ClassicsMark Hurdlestone; Or, The Two BrothersIn a rural English parish, a wealthy miser known for his cruelty and isolation guards his vast fortune with obsessive fervor, revealing how one man’s greed and bitterness shape the…
Level C1ClassicsMark Gildersleeve: A NovelIn the industrious town of Belton, a sprawling manufacturing hub powered by a roaring waterfall, the legacy of the Obershaw family looms large—marked by wealth, ambition, and the r…
Level C1ClassicsMariquita: A NovelIn a vast, sunlit prairie where light and wind shape life itself, Mariquita, a young woman of mixed heritage, navigates solitude, faith, and the quiet stubbornness of love under th…
Level C1ClassicsMariposilla: A NovelA mother's desperate hope leads her and her ailing child from New York to the healing calm of California's mountains, where a mysterious Spanish home promises refuge and renewal.
Level C1ClassicsMarion Darche: A Story Without CommentIn bustling New York, society is a complex map of shifting social fields where migration between classes is a delicate dance.
Level C1ClassicsMarie Corelli: The Writer and the WomanExplore the life behind the enigmatic novelist whose daring flights into the Unknown and the Unseen sparked both wonder and controversy.
Level C1ClassicsMarie ClaireA young working seamstress in Paris defies hardship and limited opportunities by embracing her passion for writing, revealing the quiet strength and depth of her life through heart…
Level C1ClassicsMaria; Or, The Wrongs of WomanTrapped in a suffocating marriage, a woman with a sensitive, intelligent mind battles the crushing injustices imposed by society’s partial laws and customs.
Level C1ClassicsMaria EdgeworthDelve into the intertwined lives of Maria Edgeworth and her visionary father, Richard Lovell Edgeworth, as their family legacy shapes Ireland’s history through ambition, invention,…
Level C1ClassicsMarguerite Verne; Or, Scenes from Canadian LifeOn a starry New Year's Eve in St.
Level C1ClassicsMargret Howth: A Story of To-dayAmid the shadow of war and despair, explore the quiet heroism and enduring hope found in ordinary lives battling the persistent enemy within.
Level C1ClassicsMarge AskinforitA sharp-witted woman named Marge navigates her eccentric family’s quirks and scandals with biting humor, revealing a world where beauty, ambition, and misadventure collide in the s…
Level C1ClassicsMargaret MaliphantAmidst the ancient ruins and quiet marshlands of Sussex, two sisters from a once-proud farming family navigate the weight of heritage and changing fortunes, where past glories ling…
Level C1ClassicsMargaret Fuller (Marchesa Ossoli)Explore the remarkable life of Margaret Fuller, a pioneering spirit who challenged her era's conventions through intellect, activism, and literary influence, while navigating frien…