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 C1ClassicsHow they loved him, Vol. 1 (of 3)In a tranquil convent garden, a graceful young girl named Fenella cares for a fallen fledgling, her quiet sorrow hinting at a deeper loneliness and a life shaped by faith, duty, an…
Level C1ClassicsHow Women Love (Soul Analysis)In a small Hungarian village, the strikingly beautiful wife of an unattractive cartwright fiercely repels the advances of charming military officers, revealing the fierce, untamed…
Level B2ClassicsHow The Raven Died: 1902, From "Wolfville Nights"In a rugged frontier town, tales unfold of Native American visitors, enigmatic scouts, and the elusive Old Jeffords, whose eerie hymns and mysterious past blur the line between wil…
Level C1ClassicsHow Spring Came in New EnglandIn a land where winter’s icy grip battles the warm southern winds, New England teeters between frost and thaw.
Level C1ClassicsHow Shakspere Came to Write the TempestAmidst tales of shipwreck and survival on a mysterious island, the origins of a timeless play unfold, blending history, rumor, and imagination.
Level B2ClassicsHow Robin Hood Once Was a Wait: A Miracle Play or Christmas MasqueIn a snowy wood, Robin Hood and his merry men confront a humble band of Christmas singers called the Waits, leading to a rare and heartwarming celebration of carols, kindness, and…
Level B2ClassicsHow John Norton the Trapper Kept His ChristmasAn old trapper spends a quiet Christmas Eve by his cabin fire, reflecting on the meaning of kindness and the true spirit of the season while reading from a cherished, ancient book.
Level C1ClassicsHow It HappenedA spirited girl wrestles with poverty, pride, and family struggles, finding fierce joy and defiance in a battered hat and a worn tambourine.
Level B2ClassicsHow It Feels to Be FiftyExplore the vibrant perspective of turning fifty, where life is not a decline but an exciting ascent filled with newfound confidence and joy.
Level B2ClassicsHow It All Came RoundA young woman of intellect and beauty stands on the brink of marriage, balancing family bonds and personal ambition in a world of wealth and secrets.
Level C1ClassicsHow I write my novelsA writer's struggle with inspiration and rejection unfolds through candid reflections on finding plots and characters, revealing the delicate dance between doubt, perseverance, and…
Level C1ClassicsHow He Lied to Her HusbandA witty exploration of love and deception unfolds when a man finds himself entangled in a delicate dance of truth and lies with a woman's husband, challenging the stale tropes of r…
Level C1ClassicsHow Doth the Simple Spelling BeeAn irritable scholar finds his work repeatedly interrupted by zealous advocates pushing a radical reform of English spelling, sparking a humorous clash between tradition and innova…
Level B2ClassicsHow Deacon Tubman and Parson Whitney Kept New Year's: And Other StoriesOn a crisp New Year's morning, Deacon Tubman stumbles upon a mysterious gift from his meticulous housekeeper, Miss Miranda, setting the stage for a charming tale of unexpected warm…
Level C1ClassicsHousehold Papers and StoriesExplore the intimate challenges and joys of managing a household through heartfelt essays blending humor, practical wisdom, and reflections on family life during a turbulent era.
Level C2ClassicsHousehold Gods: A ComedyA Roman nobleman's love fades into mystery as his wife retreats into the wild woods, where ancient gods and forbidden desires stir beneath the moonlight.
Level C1ClassicsHot corn: Life Scenes in New York IllustratedExplore the harsh realities of New York's streets through the eyes of little Katy, a young hot corn seller, revealing the struggles of the city's poor amid wealth and luxury.
Level C1ClassicsHortus Vitae: Essays on the Gardening of LifeExplore the unnoticed gifts and deepest consolations of life through reflective essays inspired by a cherished friendship, celebrating resilience, joy, and the enduring beauty foun…
Level C1ClassicsHortus Inclusus: Messages from the Wood to the Garden, Sent in Happy Days: to the Sister Ladies of the Thwaite, ConistonDiscover a serene correspondence where nature’s beauty and gentle wisdom intertwine, revealing the tranquil lives and heartfelt friendship of two sisters devoted to their village a…
Level C1ClassicsHorses and Men: Tales, long and short, from our American lifeIn a candid reflection on desire and perception, a young man recounts his uneasy start working with racehorses, caught between family disapproval and his own uncertain ambitions am…
Level C1ClassicsHorae subsecivae. Rab and His Friends, and Other PapersStep into a vivid world where boyhood camaraderie and the spirited nature of dogs intertwine, exploring courage, endurance, and the raw energy of life through heartfelt stories and…
Level C1ClassicsHorace and His InfluenceExplore the enduring power of Horace's poetry as it shapes ethics, art, and civilization through centuries.
Level C1ClassicsHorace ChaseIn a serene mountain village in 1873, the spirited Ruth Franklin navigates family quirks and societal expectations with a blend of indolence and vivacity, revealing the complexitie…
Level C1ClassicsHopes and Fears: or, scenes from the life of a spinsterIn the bustling heart of London, Honora Charlecote balances city life with her devotion to teaching and uplifting the poor, all while navigating the hopes and fears of a spinster’s…
Level C1ClassicsHope Mills; Or, Between Friend and SweetheartIn a town divided by class and family legacy, two boys from opposite worlds forge a deep friendship tested by social prejudices and youthful adventures.
Level B2ClassicsHope Hathaway: A Story of Western Ranch LifeOn a sprawling Missouri ranch, old-time cattleman Jim Hathaway struggles against the encroaching changes of civilization and rising tensions within his family, especially involving…
Level C1ClassicsHope Farm NotesExperience the quiet reflections of a boy raised on a Yankee farm, where the chilly side of the barn teaches hard work and thoughtful resilience, while the sunny side beckons with…
Level C1ClassicsHoosier MosaicsIn a languishing Indiana town plagued by ague and decay, a traveler encounters the quirky inhabitants and their bleak yet oddly charming daily lives.
Level B2ClassicsHookersIn the gritty border town of Juarez, Pearl Jones fights to make a living under the harsh realities of the oldest trade, navigating corrupt officials, tough rivals, and the relentle…
Level C1ClassicsHonoré de BalzacStep into the world of 1830s Paris and meet Honoré de Balzac, a literary titan whose robe symbolizes his dedication to the craft.
Level C1ClassicsHonoré de BalzacExplore a collection of gripping short stories woven with intense passion, social insight, and vivid characters, revealing the intricate tapestry of human nature and society throug…
Level C1ClassicsHonoré de BalzacExplore the turbulent life and enduring legacy of a literary genius whose relentless creativity and fierce struggles illuminate the path of human ambition and artistic triumph.
Level C1ClassicsHonorineIn 1836 Genoa, amid the elegance of a diplomat’s villa, two Parisians find themselves immersed in a refined world where French wit and charm defy foreign shores—setting the stage f…
Level C1ClassicsHonore de Balzac, His Life and WritingsExplore the life behind the legendary novelist through meticulously sourced letters and rare documents, revealing the man beyond the myths and critics.
Level C1ClassicsHonor O'CallaghanIn a world where young ladies and gentlemen vie for status through fashion and wealth, Irish orphan Honor O'Callaghan faces cold neglect and social harshness at a London seminary,…
Level C1ClassicsHonor Edgeworth; Or, Ottawa's Present TenseIn a candid portrait of Ottawa society, a sharp-eyed observer exposes the moral failings and social pretenses behind its polished facade, urging a call for reform and awakening the…
Level B2ClassicsHonest Wullie; and Effie Patterson's StoryIn a snow-covered Scottish countryside, honest Wullie, a devoted farm-laborer, faces the challenge of supporting his wayward brother and his family, balancing duty, sacrifice, and…
Level C1ClassicsHomo: 1909In a cozy Parisian salon, a group of diverse characters debate honor, vengeance, and mercy, while an African explorer hints at a deeper, untold story of love and suffering hidden b…
Level C1ClassicsHomestead on the HillsideA once-grand homestead harbors fading health and whispered secrets as a mysterious widow arrives with unsettling intentions.
Level B2ClassicsHomes made and marredA skilled workman and a devoted housemaid plan to start a life together, but hidden tensions and past struggles threaten their dreams of a happy home.
Level B2ClassicsHomeburg MemoriesA small-town train brings a daily flood of characters and stories to Homeburg, where the arrival of old Number Eleven is the highlight of the day, weaving together the lives of hom…
Level C1ClassicsHome as Found: Sequel to "Homeward Bound"Returning from abroad, a family navigates the complexities of American society, confronting its provincialism and social divides while reestablishing their place in both urban and…
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.
Level B2ClassicsHome Lights and ShadowsIn a home where love and selfishness clash, a wife and husband navigate the delicate balance between duty and defiance, revealing the shadows that can darken even the sunniest dome…![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.