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 C1ClassicsHome Scenes and Home Influence; a series of tales and sketchesExplore intimate tales of family life where the mother's influence shapes children's hearts, and the pursuit of comfort tests young couples striving for happiness within their mean…
Level C1ClassicsHome Pastimes; or Tableaux VivantsDiscover the art of tableaux vivants, where living pictures bring poetry and beauty to life through carefully crafted scenes and costumes.![Cover of Home Life in Russia, Volumes 1 and 2: [Dead Souls] by Nikolai Vasilevich Gogol](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daf8anoe1ofc73dhcd00.webp)
Level C1ClassicsHome Life in Russia, Volumes 1 and 2: [Dead Souls]Step into the complex world of mid-19th century Russian society through the eyes of a traveling nobleman whose arrival stirs quiet curiosity and reveals the customs, tensions, and…
Level C1ClassicsHome Influence: A Tale for Mothers and DaughtersExplore the delicate bonds of family and faith as a mother’s influence shapes the hearts and minds of her daughters, revealing how everyday conversations nurture virtues and guide…
Level C1ClassicsHome AgainIn a quiet farmhouse dimmed by fading youth and unspoken regrets, a father defends his son’s poetic dreams against harsh criticism.
Level C1ClassicsHolden with the CordsIn a quiet elm-lined street, a strikingly plain yet prominent building hints at hidden stories of faith, temptation, and moral struggle.
Level C1ClassicsHocken and Hunken: A Tale of TroyA seasoned captain returns to his seaside hometown after years at sea, reflecting on the changing harbor and familiar faces as he contemplates the tides of life on land and water.
Level C1ClassicsHis vanished starAn architect envisions a grand summer hotel amid the majestic, untamed mountains, seeking to transform wilderness into a thriving retreat.
Level C1ClassicsHis Unquiet Ghost: 1911Under the eerie moonlight, three men lie in ambush along a silent mountain pass, confronting a mysterious wagon carrying a coffin—the last journey of a local soul amid secrets, sus…
Level C1ClassicsHis Second WifeTwo sisters journey to New York, one wealthy and glamorous, the other modest and mourning her father's death, as they navigate contrasting worlds and hidden tensions beneath their…
Level C1ClassicsHis Own PeopleA young American in Rome finds himself enchanted by the dazzling world of Old-World aristocracy, longing to belong to the glamorous society he's dreamed of since youth.
Level C1ClassicsHis MasterpieceIn the vibrant Paris art scene of the Second Empire, a passionate painter battles poverty, criticism, and his own torment to create a masterpiece that challenges the conventions of…
Level C1ClassicsHis Majesty Baby and Some Common PeopleA charming baby captivates an eclectic group of passengers on a city bus, breaking down social barriers with innocent gestures and gentle humor.
Level C1ClassicsHis Lordship's Leopard: A Truthful Narration of Some Impossible FactsIn a bustling New York gripped by war fever and political intrigue, a leisure-seeking novelist finds his sensational book entwined with mysterious foreign agents and secret plots—w…
Level C1ClassicsHis Excellency the MinisterIn a stirring portrait of modern society and politics, a provincial lawyer rises to become a Minister of State, only to confront the harsh realities and betrayals of power in the b…
Level C1ClassicsHis "day in court": 1895In the rugged Great Smoky Mountains, a tense mystery unfolds as a flickering candle signals a secret rendezvous, stirring suspicion and conflict among a mountain family confronting…
Level C1ClassicsHints to PilgrimsStep into the bustling streets of a modern metropolis where towering skyscrapers, dazzling electric signs, and vibrant neighborhoods create a new pilgrimage.
Level C1ClassicsHints for LoversExplore the intricate dance of attraction and affection through witty reflections on girls, men, and the mysteries of love, courtship, and beauty.
Level C1ClassicsHilda: A Story of CalcuttaIn the vibrant streets of Calcutta, two women from contrasting worlds confront faith, identity, and societal expectations—one draped in luxury, the other barefoot and devoted to a…
Level C1ClassicsHilda LesswaysTrapped in a stifling domestic life with her indifferent mother, young Hilda yearns for something more but cannot name it—her restless spirit clings to forbidden poetry and dreams…
Level C1ClassicsHigh Life in New York: A series of letters to Mr. Zephariah Slick, Justice of the Peace, and Deacon of the church over to Weathersfield in the state of ConnecticutA sharp-witted countryman writes humorous letters describing his adventures and misadventures navigating the bustling, flashy society of New York City, contrasting rustic simplicit…
Level C1ClassicsHide and SeekOn a bleak November Sunday in London, a young boy named Zack and his devoted page navigate a world shrouded in fog and mystery.
Level C1ClassicsHey Rub-a-dub-dub: A Book of the Mystery and Wonder and Terror of LifeA struggling scrivener lives on the gritty outskirts of New York, wrestling with poverty, loneliness, and conflicting ideas about life, faith, and society while observing the vibra…
Level C1ClassicsHesperus; or, Forty-Five Dog-Post-Days: A Biography. Vol. I.A quirky and profound tale unfolds over forty-five dog-post-days, blending wit, wisdom, and odd fancies to capture the heart and mind with reflections on life, society, and the hum…
Level C1ClassicsHesper, the Home-Spirit: A simple story of household labor and loveIn a quiet farmhouse nestled among the hills, Aunt Nyna endures the humble trials of daily life with steadfast love and patience, while a long-awaited letter stirs hope and emotion…
Level C1ClassicsHermia SuydamIn a cold New York mansion, two sisters face hardship after their father's death leaves them at the mercy of a stern, prideful uncle who grudgingly offers shelter but demands self-…
Level C1ClassicsHermann: A NovelIn a quiet town shaken by the steward Brand's mysterious theft and sudden suicide, the noble household of Count Arnau faces suspicion and sorrow.
Level C1ClassicsHerman Melville, Mariner and MysticDive into the turbulent life of a mariner turned mystic whose youthful adventures on the seas and brushes with cannibals contrast starkly with his later years of solitude and metap…
Level C1ClassicsHeriot's Choice: A TaleA devoted sister leaves behind years of quiet caregiving to answer her brother's urgent plea for help after his wife's sudden death, stepping into a new life filled with unexpected…
Level C1ClassicsHere and HereafterIn a remote farmhouse where isolation breeds mystery, a doctor is summoned to aid a foreign woman facing childbirth alone.
Level C1ClassicsHerb of GraceA young lawyer with a poetic soul finds solace in the quiet corners of London, observing the simple beauty of life and the fragile bond between a crippled child and her cobbler fat…
Level C1ClassicsHer fairy princeTwo estranged Englishmen reunite in Boulogne, one a fallen man desperate for help, the other a cynical captain with a soft spot.
Level C1ClassicsHer brother's keeperTorn between duty to her unreliable brother and a long-lost love who suddenly inherits a fortune, a devoted woman navigates loyalty, sacrifice, and hope amid the bustling streets o…
Level C1ClassicsHenry of Ofterdingen: A Romance.A young nobleman’s life is transformed by a profound love that awakens his spirit and fuels his poetic dreams, set against the backdrop of family ties, deep friendships, and a worl…
Level C1ClassicsHenry Wadsworth LongfellowExplore the remarkable life and enduring influence of a beloved American poet whose works crossed continents and languages, shaping the landscape of native literature and touching…
Level C1ClassicsHenry NorthcoteIn a chilly, dilapidated garret on Fleet Street, struggling lawyer Henry Northcote faces starvation and despair—until a mysterious, ragged stranger named Iggs appears, bringing an…
Level C1ClassicsHenry James, Jr.Explore the life and literary rise of Henry James, tracing his transatlantic upbringing, early works, and the unique blend of vivid expression and dispassionate analysis that defin…
Level C1ClassicsHenry Is Twenty: A Further Episodic History of Henry Calverly, 3rdAt twenty, Henry Calverly wrestles with his vanity, self-doubt, and complicated loves in a small Illinois town, navigating the messy, unheroic journey toward adulthood with a touch…
Level C1ClassicsHenry GallyExplore the origins and evolution of character-writing through a critical examination of Theophrastus’ moral sketches, revealing how vivid, concise portraits capture human vices an…
Level C1ClassicsHenry Fielding: a Memoir: Including Newly Discovered Letters and Records with Illustrations from Contemporary PrintsExplore the life of Henry Fielding through newly uncovered letters, documents, and contemporary prints that reveal his personal struggles, social activism, and career as a London m…
Level C1ClassicsHenry D. ThoreauExplore the intimate life and profound intellect of Henry D.
Level C1ClassicsHenrik IbsenExplore the life and artistic journey of a groundbreaking playwright whose Norwegian roots and European influences shaped modern drama.
Level C1ClassicsHenrietta's Wish; Or, DomineeringTwin siblings reunited after school face family tensions and hopes of moving closer to home, where attachments run deep but life feels stagnant—will Henrietta's wish bring change t…
Level C1ClassicsHell Fer Sartain and Other StoriesIn the rugged Kentucky hills, fiery rivalries and raw mountain life collide during a tense Christmas dance, where moonshine, love, and deadly grudges intertwine.
Level C1ClassicsHelena Brett's CareerA successful author struggles with family tensions and the pressures of marriage while navigating the complexities of his career and personal life, revealing the unromantic realiti…
Level C1ClassicsHelen with the High Hand (2nd ed.)In the industrial heart of the Five Towns, where human nature is as tough as stone, the creation of a town park sparks rare moments of beauty and romance.
Level C1ClassicsHeld for Orders: Being Stories of Railroad LifeIn a rough cattle town where railroad workers face constant danger from hostile cowboys, Callahan struggles to keep the yard running amid sabotage and violence.
Level C1ClassicsHelbeck of Bannisdale — Volume IIAmid the fiery chaos of a factory accident, a young woman named Laura steps into the heart of a desperate community, confronting the raw human cost and social tensions ignited by t…