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 C1ClassicsFibble, D.D.A well-meaning clergyman sets out to guide the youth of his parish through refined nature study and literature, only to find his well-intentioned plans leading to unexpected and tr…
Level C1ClassicsFiander's Widow: A NovelIn the aftermath of a tragic farmer’s death, an auction disperses his belongings, revealing the struggles of rural life and the fierce grief of a young widow determined to face the…
Level C1ClassicsFerragus, Chief of the DévorantsIn the shadowy underworld of Napoleonic Paris, a secret society of thirteen men wields power beyond the law, bound by loyalty and mystery.
Level B2ClassicsFern's HollowNestled in a hidden Welsh hollow, a rugged hut shelters a family marked by hardship and hope, living quietly on the edge of society where common land meets solitary hills.
Level C1ClassicsFern Vale; or, the Queensland Squatter. Volume 2Amid the rugged Australian bush, two young men venture into an indigenous corroboree, uncovering mysterious rites of passage and the harsh realities of tribal customs.
Level C1ClassicsFern Leaves from Fanny's Port-folio. Second SeriesEscape to the cozy little brown house where warm family memories bloom amidst the changing seasons, only to face the harsh realities of loss and harsh dependency.
Level C1ClassicsFenwick's CareerA painter torn between the serene landscapes of Westmoreland and the seductive allure of Versailles navigates the profound influence of two women, each shaping his art and destiny…
Level C1ClassicsFennel and RueA struggling author’s serialized story captivates a mysterious, ailing reader who pleads to know its ending before her time runs out, forcing him to confront the power and meaning…
Level C1ClassicsFenellaA fierce swimmer braves the relentless noontide sun and the wild sea, embodying strength and resilience on a desolate shore where nature’s power both nurtures and destroys.
Level C1ClassicsFelix O'DayIn rain-soaked Broadway’s dazzling glow, a mysterious man silently watches the theatre crowds, his keen eyes searching for something—or someone—amid the city’s glittering chaos.
Level C1ClassicsFelix Lanzberg's ExpiationIn a languid spa town, a retired officer and a sharp-witted baroness exchange society gossip, unraveling whispered scandals beneath the surface of polite conversation.
Level C1ClassicsFaustusA restless scholar confronts the dark forces of ambition and corruption, journeying through cities and courts where vice and virtue clash.
Level C2ClassicsFaust: A TragedyA scholar, disillusioned with life’s limits, makes a daring pact to transcend human experience and knowledge.
Level C1ClassicsFather and Son: A Study of Two TemperamentsA poignant memoir unfolds the clash between two opposing temperaments and eras—a father bound by fading Puritan values and a son propelled toward modernity—capturing a bittersweet…
Level C1ClassicsFather Tom and the PopeIn a lively Dublin debate, Father Tom, a charismatic Irish priest, clashes with the timid Rev.
Level C1ClassicsFather StaffordIn the serene English countryside, Eugene Lane, a young MP with wealth and a promising fiancée, prepares to host one of his notorious weekend parties, where social intrigues and un…
Level B2ClassicsFather SergiusA promising officer destined for glory abruptly abandons his military career, fiancée, and wealth to seek solace in a monastery.
Level C1ClassicsFated to Be Free: A NovelIn a secluded English valley, a faded estate and its weathered past invite exploration through the eyes of a reflective narrator who reveals the intertwined lives of its inhabitant…
Level B2ClassicsFate Knocks at the Door: A NovelA young man’s decisive act aboard a swift clipper in the China Sea sets the stage for a journey through fate, passion, and the complexities of life.
Level C1ClassicsFashions in LiteratureExplore the evolving tastes and ideals in literature through thoughtful essays that blend humor, morality, and keen observation of human nature, revealing the subtle relationship b…
Level C1ClassicsFashion and FamineIn bustling 19th-century New York, vivid market scenes and diverse characters intertwine amid the city's awakening.
Level C1ClassicsFarquharson of GluneIn the desolate moors of Perthshire, two starkly different men venture toward the haunted, poverty-stricken estate of Glune, where mystery and sorrow cling to every shadowed corner…
Level C1ClassicsFarmingtonA reflective narrator retraces his childhood in a narrow Pennsylvania valley, revealing how his self-centered view shapes his memories and understanding of life’s truths and contra…
Level C1ClassicsFarewell Love! A NovelIn a vivid portrait of Southern Italian life, a woman lies motionless under a white coverlet, hinting at hidden struggles and passions beneath the surface.
Level C1ClassicsFardorougha, The Miser: The Works of William Carleton, Volume OneOn a clear August night, a midwife rushes to the remote cottage of Fardorougha Donovan, a miser whose childless marriage has been marked by suspicion and silence.
Level C1ClassicsFar-away StoriesA once-celebrated violinist now lives quietly in London, his life a tapestry of music, memory, and fading fame.
Level C1ClassicsFar above rubies (Vol. 3 of 3)Caught in the tangled web of a dubious company, Arthur Dudley grapples with betrayal, financial ruin, and the harsh realities of London life far from his peaceful farm.
Level C1ClassicsFar above rubies (Vol. 2 of 3)In a lively dining-room debate, sharp-witted Miss Hope and the cunning Mr.
Level C1ClassicsFar above rubies (Vol. 1 of 3)Escape to the tranquil beauty of Berrie Down Hollow, a remote country lane teeming with wildflowers and timeless charm, where nature’s seasons unfold in vivid detail far from the b…
Level C1ClassicsFar Away and Long Ago: A History of My Early LifeJourney through vivid childhood memories on the vast South American plains, where wild birds, colorful characters, and turbulent historical events shape a young boy's early life in…
Level C1ClassicsFantasy: A NovelIn a vivid portrait of Italian life, a determined woman overcomes hardship and societal constraints to pursue her passion for literature and journalism, revealing the fierce realit…
Level C1ClassicsFantastic FablesA Moral Principle and a Material Interest confront each other on a narrow bridge, setting the stage for sharp, satirical fables that explore human nature, politics, and morality wi…
Level C1ClassicsFanny's First PlayIn a quirky country house, a group of literary guests gather as a mysterious Count, dressed in outdated finery, reveals his yearning for genuine beauty and integrity amid a society…
Level C1ClassicsFanny's First NovelIn a lively household influenced by the theatrical spirit of Mr.
Level C1ClassicsFanny and the Servant ProblemNewlywed Lady Bantock arrives at her grand estate, where her aunts anxiously prepare her boudoir and wonder if she lives up to their expectations.
Level B2ClassicsFanny Lambert: A NovelAn aspiring artist in Chelsea awaits the visit of Fanny Lambert, a spirited young woman whose innocence and unconventional ways promise to upend his orderly world.
Level C1ClassicsFanny Burney and Her Friends: Select Passages from Her Diary and Other WritingsDelve into the intimate world of a gifted musical family in 18th-century England, where young Frances Burney’s early life unfolds amid artistic pursuits, complex family ties, and t…
Level C1ClassicsFanny Burney (Madame D'Arblay)Explore the rich Burney family history, tracing the roots and remarkable musical legacy of Charles Burney, father of Fanny Burney, amidst 18th-century England’s artistic and social…
Level C1ClassicsFancies Versus FadsExplore a spirited critique of modern theories and fads through sharp, playful essays that celebrate traditional sanity as the key to truly imaginative insight.
Level C1ClassicsFan : The Story of a Young Girl's LifeIn a bleak London tenement, a young girl named Fan struggles to survive amid poverty and familial strife, selling matches while enduring the harshness of her parents' troubled live…
Level B2ClassicsFamous Authors (Men)Discover the early struggles and literary rise of William Dean Howells, tracing his journey from a newspaper boy in Ohio to a celebrated author navigating the challenges of publish…
Level B2ClassicsFamily Pride; Or, Purified by SufferingIn a stately New England farmhouse, an old-fashioned deacon and his steadfast family confront the challenges of changing times and personal loss, revealing how pride and perseveran…
Level C1ClassicsFamiliar QuotationsExplore a rich treasury of familiar quotations drawn from original sources, revealing the profound influence of language shaped by timeless authors and sacred texts.
Level C1ClassicsFamiliar Letters: The Writings of Henry David Thoreau, Volume 06 (of 20)Explore the intimate letters of a contemplative mind balancing rustic charm with keen intellect, revealing the everyday kindness, wit, and philosophical reflections behind the cele…
Level C1ClassicsFalkner: A NovelIn a secluded Cornish village, a solitary girl visits a shadowed churchyard, hinting at a tale woven with loss, nature’s beauty, and quiet mystery where the sea meets the cliffs.
Level C1ClassicsFalkland, CompleteA solitary recluse retreats to a decaying estate, seeking refuge in thought and nature while reflecting on the weariness beneath society's gaiety.
Level C1ClassicsFalkland, Book 1.A solitary recluse retreats to a decaying estate, finding refuge in isolation and introspection, as he grapples with the weariness of society and the torment of a guilty passion th…
Level C1ClassicsFalk: A ReminiscenceA group of seasoned sailors gather near the Thames, sharing tales of the sea’s timeless mysteries and shifting times, when one recounts an absurd episode involving his enemy Falk,…