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 C1ClassicsClioAn ancient bard, known as the Blind One, journeys through sacred woods and sunlit valleys, carrying the weight of years and memories.
Level C1ClassicsClerambault: The Story of an Independent Spirit During the WarAmid the turmoil of war, an independent spirit grapples with the loss of individual conscience swallowed by the collective, challenging blind patriotism and urging the courage to t…
Level C1ClassicsClemenceA young woman of delicate upbringing faces the looming threat of poverty and hardship after the loss of her father, while navigating her mother's high societal expectations and her…
Level C1ClassicsClayhangerIn the industrial heart of the Five Towns, sixteen-year-old Edwin Clayhanger faces the daunting transition from schoolboy innocence to the complexities of adult life, set against a…
Level C1ClassicsClaude's ConfessionA struggling young poet in the Paris Latin Quarter bares his soul through feverish letters, revealing a poignant journey of love, despair, and hope amidst the harsh realities of st…
Level C1ClassicsClark's FieldA nostalgic journey through a once-familiar town reveals the relentless march of progress erasing childhood landmarks like Clark's Field.
Level C1ClassicsClara HopgoodIn the quiet town of Fenmarket, sisters Clara and Madge Hopgood navigate societal expectations and personal desires against a backdrop of monotonous landscapes and stifling provinc…
Level C1ClassicsClair de Lune: A Play in Two Acts and Six ScenesIn a stately court where political intrigue simmers beneath elegant façades, a restless queen seeks her elusive prince amid whispers of secret passions and shadowy plots.
Level C1ClassicsCircular SawsWitty and whimsical tales twist reality with kings who splash boldly, an ostrich in Parliament, a princess craving a frog’s freedom, and a beauty who defies convention—each story b…
Level C1ClassicsCirce's DaughterIn a London flat buzzing with anticipation, a seasoned butler and an old family friend reflect on the rise of a young barrister poised to become remarkable.
Level C1ClassicsCinderella, and Other StoriesIn a bustling New York hotel, the staff unites to host an extraordinary annual ball, inviting a celebrated singer to perform for their exclusive celebration.
Level C1ClassicsCinderella JaneIn a season of lavish society spectacles, aspiring artist Jerry Paxton seizes a daring chance to direct a grand biblical pageant, navigating high society’s demands and his own ambi…
Level C1ClassicsCicelyIn the sun-drenched south of France, young Geneviève navigates the quiet struggles of family duty, social expectations, and longing for a more vibrant life beyond her modest world.
Level C1ClassicsChronicles of the Canongate, 1st SeriesAmid financial ruin and revealed identity, a once-anonymous author turns to storytelling with candid reflections and vivid tales drawn from Scottish life, blending humor, tragedy,…
Level C1ClassicsChristmas storiesOn Christmas Eve, Alice Warren prepares for her debut into society, her family’s wealth and warmth contrasting sharply with the envy and hidden struggles of Adelaide Huntington, wh…
Level C1ClassicsChristmas at Thompson HallA determined Mrs.
Level C1ClassicsChristmas Roses and Other StoriesIn a wintry garden, a resilient widow tending Christmas roses finds unexpected hope and strength as she faces grief and a troubling letter from her family, reminding her that life’…
Level C1ClassicsChristmas Eve at Swamp's EndAmid a frozen, windswept lumber town on Christmas Eve, young Pattie Batch pours her heart into crafting a precious cloak, weaving warmth and love against the harsh wilderness and t…
Level C1ClassicsChristmas Comes but Once a Year: Showing What Mr. Brown Did, Thought, and Intended to Do, During That Festive Season.In a snowy Victorian suburb, the ambitious Mr.
Level C1ClassicsChristine of the hillsA mysterious guide leads a traveler through the enchanting Adriatic islands to a secluded pavilion where Christine, a captivating and enigmatic woman, awaits amidst lush nature and…
Level C1ClassicsChristineA young woman embarks on a bold adventure studying music in Berlin, writing heartfelt letters home as she navigates hope, love, and the looming shadows of war in 1914 Germany.
Level C1ClassicsChristina Alberta's fatherA retired laundryman, Mr.
Level C1ClassicsChristie Johnstone: A NovelA wealthy but restless viscount finds himself discontent despite his fortune and pleasures, until love and sharp intellect intertwine in the spirited Lady Barbara Sinclair, whose v…
Level C1ClassicsChristian's MistakeA young governess unexpectedly marries the reserved Master of Saint Bede's College, thrusting her into a world of social change and hidden tensions.
Level C1ClassicsChristian MelvilleOn a cold December evening, Christian Melville, a thoughtful woman burdened by sorrow, faces the bittersweet emotions stirred by her brother's impending marriage.
Level C1ClassicsChristian Gellert's Last Christmas: From "German Tales" Published by the American Publishers' CorporationIn 1768 Leipzig, beloved poet and moral lecturer Christian Gellert faces his final lessons with a heavy heart, questioning the true impact of his teachings on youth and the world.
Level C1ClassicsChrist in FlandersIn a remote Flemish village where aristocrats and commoners share a tense boat journey, mysterious arrivals spark whispered legends and deep social divides.
Level C1ClassicsChoice Specimens of American Literature, and Literary Reader: Being Selections from the Chief American WritersExplore a curated collection of extended excerpts from America’s foremost writers, spanning religious, historical, and literary voices from the seventeenth century onward.
Level C1ClassicsChitra, a Play in One ActA warrior princess raised as a son grapples with her identity and love when Arjuna, a famed prince and ascetic, enters her forest realm, challenging her strength and awakening her…
Level C1ClassicsChinese fables and folk storiesExplore the enchanting world of Chinese fables and folk stories, revealing the rich imagination, wisdom, and cultural insights of a people whose tales have long remained hidden fro…
Level C1ClassicsChildren of the desertAmid the vast, unforgiving desert borderlands, Harboro, a stoic railroad man with a mysterious past, marries Sylvia in a small town where weddings are rare and lives intersect unde…
Level C1ClassicsChildren of the TenementsIn the grim tenements of New York, a struggling immigrant family battles poverty, sickness, and ruthless landlords to protect their most precious treasure—their child, known only a…
Level C1ClassicsChildren of the Ghetto: A Study of a Peculiar PeopleWithin the narrow streets of London’s Jewish Ghetto, a vibrant community struggles with poverty, tradition, and the weight of history, weaving dreams and faith amid hardship and ch…
Level C1ClassicsChildren of the Dear CotswoldsAmid the timeless beauty of the Cotswolds, returning soldiers and locals reconnect with their cherished homeland, revealing the deep bonds between people and place during a time of…
Level C1ClassicsChild and Country: A Book of the Younger GenerationA family escapes the weariness of city life to build a home on the lakeshore, discovering health, creativity, and a new vision for educating children at home.
Level C1ClassicsChetwynd CalverleyIn a grand Cheshire estate, estranged siblings reunite amid their father's grave illness, unveiling family tensions and mysterious silences that hint at deep secrets and shifting l…
Level C1ClassicsCheckers: A Hard-luck StoryOn Derby Day in Chicago, a novice racegoer navigates the thrilling chaos of betting, crowds, and horse racing odds, uncovering unexpected stakes and secrets beneath the surface of…
Level C1ClassicsChattertonIn a cramped London garret, the young poet Chatterton wrestles with poverty and pride while clinging to his dreams and the fragile hope of recognition, even as those around him dis…
Level C1ClassicsChastelard, a TragedyIn the shadowed chambers of Holyrood, the four Maries weave songs of love and longing, while whispers of courtly passion and scandal stir around the enigmatic figure of Chastelard,…
Level C1ClassicsChaste as Ice, Pure as Snow: A NovelIn bustling London during May, a striking woman of contrasting elegance and simplicity faces the vibrant world around her, while hidden stories of hope, struggle, and art unfold am…
Level C1ClassicsCharlotte Brontë: A MonographExplore the life and genius of one of the most remarkable women of her age through intimate letters and firsthand accounts that reveal the true spirit behind the literary legend, s…
Level C1ClassicsCharles Tyrrell; or, The Bitter Blood. Volumes I and IIIn a tranquil Hampshire estate, where nature’s renewal contrasts with human loss, deep secrets and shifting fortunes unfold amid a home shaped by generations.
Level C1ClassicsCharles Lever, His Life in His Letters, Vol. IIDive into a vivid correspondence capturing the trials and triumphs of a writer grappling with health, criticism, and creativity amid Florence’s charm.
Level C1ClassicsCharles Lever, His Life in His Letters, Vol. IDiscover the life and literary journey of Charles Lever through his own letters, revealing intimate insights and fresh perspectives on the Irish novelist behind beloved works like…
Level C1ClassicsCharles Lamb: A MemoirA devoted man battles life's hardships to protect his sister, whose tragic madness shadows their shared existence.
Level C1ClassicsCharles LambDive into the vivid life of a devoted Londoner whose days unfold amid the bustling streets, theaters, and coffee houses of the city.
Level C1ClassicsCharles DickensExplore the vibrant world behind literary styles as this work unpacks the artifice of romanticism and realism, revealing the optimistic spirit that breathes life into Dickens’s unf…
Level C1ClassicsCharles Baudelaire, His LifeDiscover the intimate life and striking presence of a young poet on the cusp of fame, as he navigates the artistic circles of 19th-century Paris with a unique blend of dandyism and…