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 C1ClassicsJessie GrahamAn aging deacon reflects on loss and legacy beneath a towering maple tree, while his young grandson Walter carries the weight of a sorrowful past as the family navigates grief, lov…
Level C1ClassicsJesse CliffeIn a secluded, marshy English landscape, a once-grand farmstead stands abandoned, shrouded in silence and decay.
Level C1ClassicsJerusalemIn a steadfast Swedish parish, a powerful religious revival shakes the lives of the Ingmarsson family and their neighbors, leading many to forsake their ancestral homes and embark…
Level C1ClassicsJenny: A Village IdylAs a train journeys through a quiet countryside, strangers bound by their worries and hopes share fleeting moments—a fierce woman traveling to care for her ailing child, a young wo…
Level C1ClassicsJenifer's PrayerA troubled man escorts a young English beauty southward through ancient England, their journey shadowed by unspoken tension and a secret past.
Level C1ClassicsJean-Christophe, Volume IA gifted musician wrestles with truth, integrity, and societal compromise as he grows from youth to a rebellious young man forced to flee his German hometown for Paris.
Level C1ClassicsJava HeadOn a radiant May morning, eleven-year-old Laurel Ammidon confronts the bittersweet shift from childhood imagination to sober reality, set against the backdrop of her family's state…
Level C1ClassicsJaunty Jock, and Other StoriesIn a rain-soaked Edinburgh, a plain but sharp-witted man named Macdonald navigates a lively masked ball where appearances deceive and clan rivalries simmer beneath the dance floor’…
Level C1ClassicsJaponetteA once-wealthy scion returns to New York broke but determined to face ruin on his own terms, navigating the collapse of family fortunes and the harsh realities of honor, friendship…
Level C1ClassicsJapanese Plays and PlayfellowsExplore the enchanting world of Japanese theater and culture through the eyes of a foreign visitor who uncovers the contrast between the country's poetic surface and its deeper soc…
Level C1ClassicsJapanese Literature: Including Selections from Genji Monogatari and Classical Poetry and Drama of JapanStep into the refined world of Heian-era Japan, where courtly life, poetry, and drama intertwine through the eyes of a talented noblewoman who crafts a timeless tale filled with de…
Level C1ClassicsJap Herron: A Novel Written from the Ouija BoardWhen a psychic gathering attempts spirit communication via a Ouija board, the voice of a famed humorist surfaces, urging the telling of untold stories from beyond the grave—launchi…
Level C1ClassicsJanet of the DunesOn a remote Long Island shore, Janet and her steadfast guardian Cap'n Billy navigate the rugged life of the Life Saving Station, where bravery meets the challenges of isolation, st…
Level C1ClassicsJane TalbotA young woman pours out her heart in letters to her beloved, revealing the depths of her passionate love and the haunting shadows of her past.
Level C1ClassicsJane Sinclair; Or, The Fawn Of Springvale: The Works of William Carleton, Volume TwoA young woman’s intellect shatters under the weight of first love’s betrayal, plunging her into a haunting madness that evokes both sorrow and reverence.
Level C1ClassicsJane EyreAn orphaned governess navigates hardship, love, and mystery within the imposing Thornfield Hall, where secrets and passion intertwine in this gripping five-act drama adapted from a…
Level C1ClassicsJan Vedder's WifeIn the rugged Shetland town of Lerwick, Jan Vedder’s betrothal to Margaret Fae sets the stage for a tale steeped in seafaring tradition, Norse heritage, and the stirring passions o…
Level C1ClassicsJames Russell Lowell, A Biography; vol. 1/2Dive into the rich life of James Russell Lowell, tracing his roots to the historic Elmwood estate in Cambridge, and explore the intimate letters, writings, and friendships that sha…
Level C1ClassicsJames Fenimore Cooper: American Men of LettersExplore the origins and early life of a renowned American novelist, tracing his family's pioneering settlement in the scenic village that bears their name and uncovering the myths…
Level C1ClassicsJames Fenimore CooperExplore the life behind the legendary creator of American romance, tracing his roots from a childhood shaped by family fortune in the wilderness of Otsego to the world that inspire…
Level C1ClassicsJafferyIn a blossoming garden, an urbane narrator begins to unravel the spirited life of his indomitable friend Jaffery Chayne, weaving together wit, philosophy, and intimate musings on f…
Level C1ClassicsJacqueline — CompleteIn the lively salons of Paris, Jacqueline stands apart—a striking young girl whose rare beauty and individuality captivate her circle of friends.
Level C1ClassicsJacob's RoomA young boy named Jacob wanders a windswept seaside, caught between childhood's fragile moments and the vast, silent world around him.
Level C1ClassicsJack Hinton: The GuardsmanAn English guardsman navigates the complexities of Irish society and culture during the early 19th century, encountering colorful characters and unexpected adventures that challeng…
Level C1ClassicsJack Brag, vol. 3 (of 3)After a wild night of gambling and family revelations, Jack wakes to a tangled web of secrets, lost money, and uneasy alliances.
Level C1ClassicsJack Brag, vol. 2 (of 3)Caught between the affections of two charming women, Jack Brag must navigate social intrigues and rival suitors in London’s clubs, all while seeking advice from friends and facing…
Level C1ClassicsJack Brag, vol. 1 (of 3)Caught between his family’s modest wax and tallow business and his high-society pursuits, Jack Brag navigates the clash of trade and leisure, seeking acceptance among the elite whi…
Level C1ClassicsJack Ballington, ForesterA forester reflects on humanity's deep bond with nature and the enduring hope rooted in the soil, weaving a tale of life, faith, and the timeless connection between man and the lan…
Level C1ClassicsJ. S. Le Fanu's Ghostly Tales, Volume 4In the haunting village of Chapelizod, where ancient ruins and eerie legends linger, a ruthless bully reigns supreme—until a young underdog challenges his brutal reign, sparking a…
Level C1ClassicsJ. Comyns Carr: Stray Memories, by His WifeA young dramatic critic’s chance encounter with a spirited woman new to London sparks a delicate courtship amidst the vibrant theatrical and artistic circles of 1870s Bohemia.
Level C1ClassicsIxion In HeavenA disgraced king, accused of murder and shunned by all, seeks refuge among the gods of Olympus.
Level C1ClassicsIvanoff: A PlayA troubled landowner faces mounting debts and personal tensions at his countryside estate, where strained relationships and financial woes threaten to unravel his life and ambition…
Level C1ClassicsItalian Letters, Vols. I and II; Or, The History of the Count de St. JulianA heartfelt letter from the Count de St.
Level C1ClassicsIt was a Lover and His LassIn the eerie twilight of northern Scotland, an unfinished, grand palace stands abandoned, its eerie presence stirring local superstition.
Level C1ClassicsIt Never Can Happen AgainIn a gritty London neighborhood, young Lizarann guides her blind father through the maze of streets, unaware of his mysterious daily routine, while navigating the harsh realities a…
Level C1ClassicsIt May Be True, Vol. 1 (of 3)In the tranquil village of Ashleigh, surrounded by lush forests and rolling hills, young Amy Neville wanders through blooming lanes and sunlit bridges, carrying the quiet weight of…
Level C1ClassicsIt Is Never Too Late to MendA struggling Berkshire farmer faces the harsh realities of rural life and a tempting offer from an honorable gentleman seeking fortune in Australia, challenging George to choose be…
Level C1ClassicsIsola; or, The disinherited: A revolt for woman and all the disinheritedA visionary queen challenges outdated laws and superstitions, demanding justice and equality for all living beings, women, and rulers alike.
Level C1ClassicsIsland Tales / On the Makaloa MatAmidst the lush beauty of Hawaii, Martha Scandwell’s grand estate teems with family, tradition, and the vibrant mingling of cultures.
Level C1ClassicsIsland Nights' EntertainmentsStranded on a remote South Sea island, a solitary man encounters enigmatic traders and navigates the mysterious customs, dangers, and secrets of island life, where the line between…
Level C1ClassicsIsabel Clarendon, Vol. 2 (of 2)Vincent Lacour cherishes a life of leisurely ease, dreaming of escape and travel, until an unexpected visitor disrupts his quiet existence, revealing hidden tensions and uncertain…
Level C1ClassicsIsabel Clarendon, Vol. 1 (of 2)A solitary traveler chooses the winding, forgotten old road over the new highway, encountering quaint rural scenes and curious characters that hint at deeper stories in this quiet…
Level C1ClassicsIsaac Watts; his life and writings, his homes and friendsExplore the serene and devout life of Isaac Watts, whose profound hymns and theological writings reveal a mind illuminated by piety and charity.
Level C1ClassicsIsaac Bickerstaff, Physician and AstrologerStep into the witty world of Isaac Bickerstaff, a shrewd physician and astrologer who dispenses sharp social commentary through lively essays that challenge the vices and follies o…
Level C1ClassicsIs Shakespeare Dead?: From My AutobiographyExplore the enigmatic world of historical claimants, from lost heirs to literary legends, as a seasoned observer unravels the enduring mysteries and passionate debates surrounding…
Level C1ClassicsIs Polite Society Polite? and Other EssaysExplore the true nature of polite society as it unveils the contrast between genuine manners and superficial flattery, questioning whether social graces mask selfishness or reflect…
Level C1ClassicsIrvin Cobb, His Book:: Friendly Tributes upon the Occasion of a Dinner Tendered to Irvin Shrewsbury Cobb at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, New York, April Twenty-Fifth, MCMXVCelebrate the wit and insight of a renowned storyteller who captures the spirit of American life—from Southern roots to bustling New York streets—with humor, pathos, and vivid char…
Level C1ClassicsIrresolute CatherineAmid rugged mountain slopes and a tight-knit chapel community, Heber Moorhouse, known as ‘Black Heber,’ grapples with duty and fiery independence while a delicate young woman named…