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 C1ClassicsGertrude's MarriageAn unexpected inheritance thrusts a young man into the challenges of rural estate life, forcing him to reconsider his ambitions and the practicalities of love and marriage amid a c…
Level C1ClassicsGerminalUnder a starless sky, a lone man journeys through harsh coal-mining lands, embodying the struggles of a working-class community facing relentless hardship.
Level C1ClassicsGerman FictionExplore the unique landscape of German fiction, where characters are shaped by the world’s pressures and inner life takes precedence over outward action, revealing a deep psycholog…
Level C1ClassicsGerald Eversley's Friendship: A Study in Real LifeTwo boys from vastly different backgrounds arrive at St.
Level C1ClassicsGeorge Walker at SuezA Londoner exiled to the harsh desert town of Suez struggles with isolation and British exclusiveness, but an unexpected reunion sparks a week of surprising encounters and small tr…
Level C1ClassicsGeorge Silverman's ExplanationBorn into poverty and orphaned young, a boy’s harsh childhood in a cellar unfolds with raw honesty and dark humor as he grapples with loss, hunger, and the cruel world around him.
Level C1ClassicsGeorge Sand: Some Aspects of Her Life and WritingsExplore the life of Aurore Dupin, better known as George Sand, whose prolific writing and bold ideas challenged 19th-century norms on love, society, and politics, revealing the com…
Level C1ClassicsGeorge SandExplore the life and influence of George Sand, a pioneering woman who challenged societal norms and championed the social independence and equality of women, reshaping literature a…
Level C1ClassicsGeorge Meredith: A StudyDelve into an intellectual exploration of George Meredith’s literary craft, tracing the evolution of the 19th-century novelist whose work challenges conventions and invites readers…
Level C1ClassicsGeorge Eliot; a Critical Study of Her Life, Writings and PhilosophyExplore the life and mind behind some of the 19th century’s most insightful novels, as this study delves into the personal experiences, intellectual influences, and social surround…
Level C1ClassicsGeorge Eliot's Life, as Related in Her Letters and Journals. Vol. 3 (of 3)Journey through the intimate letters and journals revealing the personal travels, intellectual pursuits, and social encounters of a remarkable literary mind.
Level C1ClassicsGeorge Eliot's Life, as Related in Her Letters and Journals. Vol. 2 (of 3)Delve into the intimate letters and journals revealing the early triumphs and doubts behind a celebrated literary debut.
Level C1ClassicsGeorge Eliot's Life, as Related in Her Letters and Journals. Vol. 1 (of 3)Explore the intimate world behind a literary genius through her letters and journals, revealing the private thoughts, daily life, and evolving intellect of a woman whose work shape…
Level C1ClassicsGeorge EliotExplore the intellectual legacy and unique perspective of a groundbreaking English author as her life and theories on women's literary influence unfold through rare letters and fir…
Level C1ClassicsGeorge Borrow: Times Literary Supplement, 10th July 1903A restless wanderer with a passion for adventure and languages, he abandons a conventional life to immerse himself among gypsies and outcasts, blending folklore, mystery, and exoti…
Level C1ClassicsGeorge Borrow: The Man and His BooksA vivid portrait of a man who lived as he wrote, blending fact and fiction to create unforgettable characters and tales.
Level C1ClassicsGeorge Borrow, the Man and His WorkExplore the life and mysterious origins of a man long misunderstood, delving into his Celtic roots, travels, and the enigmatic "Veiled Period" through letters, family ties, and his…
Level C1ClassicsGeorge Borrow and His Circle: Wherein May Be Found Many Hitherto Unpublished Letters of Borrow and His FriendsDelve into the intricate world of George Borrow through unpublished letters and intimate connections that reveal the man behind the legend.
Level C1ClassicsGeorge BorrowExplore the complex life and ideals of George Borrow, a man who bridged the worlds of religion, literature, and the nomadic gipsy culture, revealing a unique perspective on freedom…
Level C1ClassicsGeorge Bernard ShawDive into a sharp, unconventional exploration of a provocative thinker whose complex ideas demand thorough unpacking.
Level C1ClassicsGeorge Alfred Henty: The Story of an Active LifeA frail boy confined to bed grows into a robust man whose vivid war correspondence and adventurous tales captivate readers worldwide.
Level C1ClassicsGeoffery GambadoDive into a witty collection of caricatures and sketches that aim to lift spirits and cure melancholy through humor and insight, revealing the quirks of society and the healing pow…
Level C1ClassicsGentlemen of the Jury: A FarceTwelve jurors locked in a room must decide the fate of Peter Popgun, accused of illegally manufacturing gunpowder.
Level C1ClassicsGenius in Sunshine and ShadowExplore the enduring nature of genius through the shifting shadows of history, as this reflective collection examines the lives and legacies of great artists and thinkers whose fam…
Level C1ClassicsGenevra; or, the history of a portrait: by an American lady. A resident of Washington City.In Rome, two English friends grow restless as they wait for dinner and decide to explore the city’s ancient ruins and an artist’s studio, uncovering the clash between timeless gran…
Level C1ClassicsGeneral John ReganIn the sweltering quiet of an Irish police barrack, Constable Moriarty battles boredom and duty, set against the stark realities of his military role.
Level C1ClassicsGene Stratton Porter, Best-SellerDiscover the life and legacy of a beloved Hoosier author whose romantic tales captivated millions despite critical dismissal, revealing the influences and inspirations behind her e…
Level C1ClassicsGaudissart IIIn the bustling streets of Paris, the art of selling becomes a dazzling performance where charm, wit, and spectacle collide.
Level C1ClassicsGarthowen: A Story of a Welsh HomesteadA rugged seafarer returns to his Welsh homestead, grappling with his father’s harsh judgment and the tender ties of childhood, including a special bond with the spirited Morva.
Level C1ClassicsGammer Gurton's NeedleWhen Gammer Gurton loses her precious needle, chaos and comedy ensue in this lively farce of rustic life, filled with rollicking humor and unexpected twists that build to a hilario…
Level C1ClassicsGambolling with Galatea: a Bucolic RomanceIn a sunlit barnyard, restless animals unite in protest against their confinement, yearning for freedom and fairness under the unseen hand of their absent caretaker.
Level C1ClassicsGambaraOn New Year’s Day 1831, a proud Milanese exile with poetic ambitions and a taste for luxury navigates the glittering yet shadowy world of Paris society, torn between his ideals and…
Level C1ClassicsGalusha the MagnificentOn a foggy October evening, a confident local politician’s solitary drive is interrupted by a mysterious stranger seeking directions, sparking an encounter that promises intrigue o…
Level C1ClassicsGadsbyIn a small town bursting with youthful ambition, follow a story filled with love, comedy, patriotism, and political dreams—all crafted without using the most common vowel in Englis…
Level C1ClassicsG. K. Chesterton, A Critical StudyExplore the turbulent shift in English literature at the turn of the 20th century, where Victorian order gives way to eccentric voices wrestling with boredom, convention, and the s…
Level C1ClassicsFurther Experiences of an Irish R.M.An Englishman reluctantly takes on the chaotic role of Master of Hounds in rural Ireland, navigating local disputes, eccentric characters, and the unexpected challenges of managing…
Level C1ClassicsFunny EpitaphsDiscover a collection of witty, poignant, and eccentric epitaphs from graves around the world, revealing the humor and humanity behind the final words of those departed.
Level C1ClassicsFrédérique, vol. 1At a lively gentlemen’s dinner, a frank conversation about love, fidelity, and desire sparks witty debates on passion and society’s hypocrisy, revealing tangled hearts and the comp…
Level C1ClassicsFruits of CultureIn a grand Moscow household, the lives of aristocrats and servants intertwine with ambition, desire, and social intrigue, revealing the complex dynamics beneath polished appearance…
Level C1ClassicsFruitfulnessA visionary exploration of society’s future, where the creation of home and the promise of progress are intertwined with the pursuit of a new social religion built on fruitfulness,…
Level C1ClassicsFroth: A NovelDive into the evolving world of Spanish literature as it shifts from romanticism to realism, following the journey of a young lawyer-turned-writer navigating cultural change and li…
Level C1ClassicsFromont and Risler — CompleteIn a Parisian café, Risler, a self-made man, celebrates a joyful moment amidst a society rife with corruption he cannot escape—his story intertwines with complex characters reveali…![Cover of From the heart of a friend by Amy [Compiler] Addingley](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dabnt009638s73a33g9g.webp)
Level C1ClassicsFrom the heart of a friendExplore the profound nature of friendship, its joys and challenges, through reflections and timeless wisdom that reveal how true friends shape our lives, support us in adversity, a…
Level C1ClassicsFrom the four windsIn a tropical paradise shadowed by unease, a group of friends confront secrets and silent tensions on the eve of departure.
Level C1ClassicsFrom the Easy Chair, Volume 3Explore the idealistic yet challenging world of Brook Farm, where intellectuals sought a utopian community, only to confront the harsh realities of manual labor and human nature in…
Level C1ClassicsFrom the Easy Chair, Volume 2Reflect on the passing year and the hopeful dawn of the new as voices sing the requiem and celebration of time's relentless march.
Level C1ClassicsFrom the Easy Chair, Volume 1Step into a richly detailed 19th-century world of eloquent orators, refined society, and the quiet tensions beneath a genteel gathering amid the shadow of civil war.
Level C1ClassicsFrom a College WindowA reflective scholar shares his sincere and intimate perspective on life, art, and education from the quiet sanctuary of a college fellowship, revealing the delicate balance betwee…