Classics
Read Classics Classics in English
6,942 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 B2ClassicsInvincible MinnieA determined young woman named Minnie disrupts the quiet life of a stubborn old tenant and her landlord, challenging social norms with charm and cunning in a rural setting where pr…
Level C1ClassicsIntroduction to SallyIn a small shop, Mr.
Level C1ClassicsIntroduction and Publisher's AdvertisingDive into a meticulously crafted edition that unites early Folios and Quartos to reveal Shakespeare’s plays as never before, complete with detailed notes and thoughtful emendations…
Level C1ClassicsInternational Short Stories: FrenchIn the turmoil of war, a privileged young duke abandons luxury to enlist in the French army, confronting harsh realities and unexpected camaraderie as he struggles to reconcile his…
Level C1ClassicsInternational Short Stories: AmericanA painter with the uncanny ability to capture not just a person's likeness but their very soul arrives in colonial America, stirring fascination and fear alike.
Level C1ClassicsInternational Language, Past, Present & Future: With Specimens of Esperanto and GrammarExplore the rise and potential of a universal auxiliary language designed to unite nations and streamline global communication amid rapid scientific and cultural exchange.
Level C1ClassicsInterferenceIn a once-exclusive Irish town now fading into decay, a sharp-eyed old maid navigates the remnants of genteel society and lingering traditions against a backdrop of shifting fortun…
Level C1ClassicsIntentionsIn a witty dialogue set in a country house, two friends debate the nature of art, truth, and the imperfections of the natural world, challenging conventional views on lying and cre…
Level C1ClassicsInnocentIn a charming old London house filled with history and hidden treasures, the Eastwood family navigates the complexities of modern life, with Ellinor, the unassuming yet indispensab…
Level C1ClassicsInkle and Yarico: An opera, in three actsIn a wild American forest, an ambitious merchant braves danger and native threats to pursue profit, sparking a dramatic tale of discovery, survival, and unexpected bonds.
Level B2ClassicsIngleside;A young pastor arrives in a struggling town, bringing heartfelt sermons that reveal the hidden sorrows and spiritual struggles of its people, as a devoted community seeks peace and…
Level C1ClassicsInfeliceOn a stormy night, a mysterious woman arrives at a parsonage seeking the absent Dr.
Level C1ClassicsIndianaA young woman trapped in a stifling marriage wrestles with society’s harsh judgments and her own desires, revealing the painful truths about love, freedom, and inequality in a rigi…
Level B2ClassicsIndian tales of the great ones among men, women, and bird-peopleSoar with mighty eagle brothers whose daring quest for the sun reveals a tale of sacrifice and love, then journey to a ruined city where a boy’s wise judgments awaken the spirit of…
Level C1ClassicsIndian Methodist Hymn-book: Hymns Used on the Fraser River Indian Mission, of the Methodist Church, B. C. Conference, to Which Are Appended Hymns in Chinook, and the Lord's Prayer and Ten CommandmentsExperience heartfelt hymns used by the Fraser River Indian Mission, presented in both English and the native Alkomaylum language, blending spiritual devotion with rich cultural her…
Level C1ClassicsIndiaA spirited toast to "India, the Pearl of Pearl River," sets the stage for a tale of bold characters and vivid Southern life, where a noble hero embraces hardship to forge his own d…
Level C1ClassicsIn the three zonesIn a chilling tale from Maine’s austere coast, a young man battles the cold logic of materialism with a fierce defense of passion, mysticism, and the soul’s infinite depths, reveal…
Level C1ClassicsIn the swimA restless young man returns to New York after years in the wild West, confronting the ruthless power of new-money elites and the shadows of his father's tarnished legacy.
Level C1ClassicsIn the cloudsAmid the vast, silent expanse of the Great Smoky Mountains, Ben Doaks finds himself drawn to the towering peak of Thunderhead, a symbol of elusive freedom and unfulfilled dreams.
Level C1ClassicsIn the Year of JubileeAs Arthur Peachey escapes for his first summer holiday since marriage, tensions simmer in a respectable London household where three sisters navigate clashing wills, fading respect…
Level B2ClassicsIn the WorldA young boy enters the world of a bustling boot shop, navigating harsh masters, sly assistants, and complex social rules.
Level B2ClassicsIn the WildernessAt a bustling Milan hotel, an observant porter watches a diverse cast of travelers arrive, including a spirited young woman whose presence breathes fresh life into a weary Englishm…
Level C1ClassicsIn the Whirl of the RisingOn a frost-bitten Christmas Eve, a daring rescue from icy waters sparks a bitter clash of courage and contempt between a passionate woman and her fiancé, whose true bravery comes i…
Level C1ClassicsIn the Village of VigerIn a sleepy village on the brink of urban sprawl, old traditions clash with new arrivals as a mysterious milliner sets up shop in a tiny, peculiar house.
Level C1ClassicsIn the TidewayAmid the stifling heat and crowded society gatherings, old friendships and past memories intertwine as Lady Maud and Mr.
Level C1ClassicsIn the Tennessee mountainsAmid the dense, mysterious wilderness of the Tennessee mountains, Cynthia Ware contemplates life’s drifting currents and fading hopes as she watches Lost Creek vanish beneath the a…
Level C1ClassicsIn the South Seas: Being an Account of Experiences and Observations in the Marquesas, Paumotus and Gilbert Islands in the Course of Two Cruises on the Yacht "Casco" (1888) and the Schooner "Equator" (1889)Ailing and seeking renewal, a traveler embarks on voyages through the remote South Sea islands, encountering breathtaking landscapes, unfamiliar cultures, and the enchanting rhythm…
Level B2ClassicsIn the Shadow of the HillsA determined engineer takes charge of a troubled dam construction in a hostile southwestern town, battling delays, labor unrest, and shadowy opposition as he fights to tame both th…
Level C1ClassicsIn the Shadow of the GlenIn a remote cottage at the head of a Wicklow glen, a lone woman tends to her mysterious, recently deceased husband while a wandering tramp seeks shelter from the wild night, unrave…
Level B2ClassicsIn the QuarterIn the bustling Café des Écoles, artists and friends grapple with the fierce competition and harsh judgments of the Salon, where creative dreams clash with the sting of rejection a…
Level C1ClassicsIn the Permanent WayIn colonial India, a fierce Muslim watchman guards a Christian church built atop a Mahomedan tomb, embodying the complex layers of faith, culture, and conquest that shape a communi…
Level C1ClassicsIn the Name of the Bodleian, and Other EssaysExplore the rich history and legacy of the Bodleian Library, delving into its founder's vision and the profound impact of this venerable institution on learning and scholarship.
Level C1ClassicsIn the MountainsA weary woman returns alone to her mountain home, seeking solace and healing after the ravages of war and profound loss.
Level C1ClassicsIn the Heart of a FoolIn the vast, untamed prairies of post-Civil War America, a group of hopeful pioneers, led by young Amos Adams and his wife Mary, set out to build new lives fueled by dreams and lov…
Level C1ClassicsIn the Guardianship of GodInside a sun-baked Indian gaol, a sharp-eyed doctor inspects a diverse group of prisoners, each carrying stories of crime and survival.
Level C1ClassicsIn the Garden of DelightA spirited young girl yearns to break free from the rigid confines of her great-aunts' strict rules and discover the wild, enchanting outdoors where nature’s beauty and freedom awa…
Level C1ClassicsIn the Footprints of Charles LambTrace the footsteps of Charles Lamb through the streets and homes of London, uncovering the places that shaped the beloved writer’s life and work, while revealing the man behind th…
Level C1ClassicsIn the Dozy Hours, and Other PapersExplore the comforting allure of cherished books that soothe restless nights and evoke the gentle nostalgia of youth, as timeless essays reflect on the joy of rereading and the ser…
Level C1ClassicsIn the Desert of Waiting: The Legend of Camel-back MountainA merchant’s camel falters in the desert, leaving him stranded with a ruined load and fading hopes of reaching the City of Desire.
Level B2ClassicsIn the Dead of Night: A Novel. Volume 3 (of 3)A proud squire faces financial ruin and must confront the cold reality of borrowing money for the first time, challenging friendships and long-held promises as he seeks a way out o…
Level C1ClassicsIn the CageConfined behind a wire screen in a London post office, a young telegraphist navigates the monotony and social divides of her work while contemplating a transfer that could change h…
Level C1ClassicsIn the Arena: Stories of Political LifeDive into the gritty, hand-to-hand battles of political life through the eyes of a seasoned ward-worker, who reveals the game’s fierce struggles, sacrifices, and the rare satisfact…
Level C1ClassicsIn the "Stranger People's" countryIn the shadow of the Great Smoky Mountains lies a mysterious burial ground of the "Little Stranger People," an ancient, forgotten race whose secrets unsettle the local mountaineers…
Level C1ClassicsIn peril on the seaExperience the challenges and camaraderie of naval life during wartime, as this engaging narrative explores the realities of sailors’ daily routines, officialdom, and the unique sp…
Level C1ClassicsIn mid-airA wartime pilot faces a deadly dilemma when his bomb fails to release properly, leaving a live torpedo swinging beneath his plane—each movement threatening catastrophic explosion.
Level B2ClassicsIn doors and outA young dry goods dealer strikes out on his own with the backing of a wealthy merchant, only to find his ambitions complicated by the captivating presence of the merchant’s beautif…
Level C1ClassicsIn and About Drury Lane, and Other Papers Vol. 1 (of 2): Reprinted from the pages of the 'Temple Bar' MagazineStep behind the scenes at Drury Lane Theatre on Boxing Day, 1865, where a bustling pantomime rehearsal contrasts sharply with the grim streets outside.
Level B2ClassicsIn a steamer chair, and other shipboard storiesAs the steamship City of Buffalo departs New York harbor, George Morris embarks on a transatlantic voyage weighed down by restless thoughts and a mysterious urgency to leave the sh…