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 C1ClassicsDespair's Last JourneyA solitary city man disembarks at a remote mountain station, abandoning his polished attire for rugged wilderness gear.
Level C1ClassicsDesert Air: 1905In the heart of the Sahara, a journey to the remote, untamed city of Beni-Kouidar reveals how the fierce desert air can alter the nature of even the most serious-minded traveler, c…
Level C1ClassicsDerval Hampton: A Story of the Sea, Volume 1 (of 2)A once-wealthy family now lives in humble poverty by the sea, where Greville Hampton wrestles with bitterness and loss while his devoted wife Mary finds solace in their young son,…
Level C1ClassicsDerrick Vaughan, NovelistA shy boy’s fascination with history sparks vivid tales of heroism and adventure, revealing the true journey behind Derrick Vaughan’s rise to literary fame.
Level C1ClassicsDenzil QuarrierIn a quiet London home, Lilian Quarrier navigates solitude, unexpected visitors, and the weight of compassion as she awaits her husband's return.
Level C1ClassicsDemocracy, an American novelA wealthy widow seeks meaning beyond society’s superficiality and philanthropy, wrestling with ambition and disillusionment in America’s capital.
Level C1ClassicsDelsarte System of OratoryExplore the art of oratory through detailed lessons on voice, gesture, and expression, revealing the principles that transform speech into powerful communication.
Level B2ClassicsDelilah of the SnowsCaught between rigid social ranks and personal longing, a young man cherishes secret moments with a proud, graceful woman in a quiet English village, where unspoken hopes and the p…
Level C1ClassicsDelight and power in speechDiscover a practical, inspiring guide to mastering the natural art of speech and reading aloud, unlocking the power of voice and expression to captivate any audience with clarity,…
Level C1ClassicsDelia BlanchflowerAn Englishman on holiday in a Tyrolese hotel observes a striking mix of cultures and faces, especially two contrasting young women whose beauty and temper hint at deeper tensions a…
Level C1ClassicsDelaware; or, The Ruined Family. Vol. 3A man burdened with secret wealth seeks to resolve tangled family debts and unspoken loves, navigating delicate pride and hidden motives.
Level C1ClassicsDelaware; or, The Ruined Family. Vol. 2A wealthy family’s fortune hinges on a looming debt, while a mysterious fire at a neighbor’s estate raises suspicions of foul play.
Level C1ClassicsDelaware; or, The Ruined Family. Vol. 1In the Italian countryside, a chance meeting between travelers sparks a year-long companionship filled with intriguing stories and shared adventures, revealing the complex lives be…
Level C1ClassicsDeirdre of the SorrowsIn a rugged Irish landscape, a young woman named Deirdre defies the wishes of the High King Conchubor, whose desire to claim her as queen sets the stage for tension and tragedy.
Level C1ClassicsDeficient Saints: A Tale of MaineIn a quiet Maine town, the devout Mrs.
Level C1ClassicsDeerbrookIn the tranquil village of Deerbrook, the Grey family anticipates the arrival of distant relatives whose uncertain future stirs quiet expectations.
Level B2ClassicsDeephaven and Selected Stories & SketchesTwo young women inherit a charming old estate in the quaint, sea-swept town of Deephaven, where childhood memories and family legacies intertwine.
Level C1ClassicsDeep channelA timid girl navigates the harsh streets and schoolyard of Hart’s Run, where fear and cruelty shadow her childhood.
Level C1ClassicsDebit and CreditIn mid-19th century Prussia, the novel explores the complex social dynamics between the higher and middle classes, revealing profound truths about societal change through richly dr…
Level B2ClassicsDear EnemyA spirited socialite unexpectedly takes charge of a bleak orphanage, plunging into the challenge of transforming its grim halls and the lives within—while navigating family expecta…
Level C1ClassicsDead-sea fruit, Vol. 1 (of 3)In a tranquil Belgian city frozen in time, a young English tutor with a mysterious past navigates quiet streets and a solitary existence, haunted by the absence of his father's ide…
Level C1ClassicsDead men's shoes, vol. 3 (of 3)Haunted by past sorrows and village scandal, Alexis finds solace and unexpected affection in caring for a mysterious child and his devoted nurse, Linda.
Level C1ClassicsDead men's shoes, vol. 2 (of 3)In a provincial town where social ambitions clash, Sibyl faces the scrutiny of the county elite and the unsettling prospect of a serious courtship from Sir Wilford Cardonnel.
Level C1ClassicsDead men's shoes, vol. 1 (of 3)A young woman, burdened by poverty and past hardships, receives a letter offering a chance to escape her bleak existence by reconnecting with a wealthy, eccentric uncle.
Level C1ClassicsDead lettersStep into a world where history and imagination intertwine through a collection of fictional letters from legendary figures, revealing unexpected glimpses behind timeless myths and…
Level C1ClassicsDead SoulsA cunning man embarks on a journey across Russia to buy up "dead souls"—deceased serfs still registered for tax—to amass a fortune through deception.
Level C1ClassicsDe ProfundisIn the shadowed confines of a prison cell, a once-celebrated man confronts unending sorrow and the weight of disgrace, weaving a profound meditation on suffering, love, and redempt…
Level C1ClassicsDays with Sir Roger De CoverleySpend a month in the charming country house of Sir Roger de Coverley, where old friendships, loyal servants, and gentle humor reveal the warmth and quirks of rural English life thr…
Level C1ClassicsDays and hours in a gardenStep into a tranquil English garden where seasons turn and nature’s quiet dramas unfold—trees grow tall, birds flit among blossoms, and memories linger beneath the shade.
Level C1ClassicsDays Off, and Other DigressionsEscape the grind of routine with Uncle Peter's philosophy of taking true "days off"—moments of spontaneous freedom that nourish the soul and reveal life’s deeper lessons beyond sch…
Level C1ClassicsDawnIn a tender twilight conversation, a married couple explores the complexities of love, individuality, and freedom within marriage, challenging the traditional bonds that often conf…
Level C1ClassicsDavid: A TragedyIn a richly adorned palace fraught with tension, David navigates court intrigues and the shadow of King Saul's suspicion as enemies gather beyond the hills.
Level C1ClassicsDavid Poindexter's Disappearance, and Other TalesA young clergyman from a struggling family navigates love, ambition, and a restless spirit in early 19th-century England, where his engagement to a colonel's daughter stirs tension…
Level C1ClassicsDavid Lockwin—The People's IdolIn the bustling world of Chicago's elite, David Lockwin faces rivalry and romance as he navigates ambition, politics, and the mystery surrounding the captivating Esther Wandrell an…
Level C1ClassicsDavid Harum: A Story of American LifeIn a small New York town, the shrewd yet good-natured country banker David Harum navigates life, love, and horse-trading with homespun wisdom and humor, revealing the colorful char…
Level C1ClassicsDavid ElginbrodIn a humble Scottish cottage, David Elginbrod’s steadfast faith and quiet life intertwine with his daughter Meg’s restless wanderings through the fir-wood, where she seems drawn by…
Level C1ClassicsDavenport Dunn, a Man of Our Day. Volume 2 (of 2)When a cryptic telegram threatens the financial stability of the Ossory Bank, Davenport Dunn faces a sudden crisis that challenges both his reputation and his resolve.
Level C1ClassicsDavenport Dunn, a Man of Our Day. Volume 1 (of 2)At the enchanting Villa d’Este on Lake Como, a luxurious water cure establishment becomes the backdrop for vivid characters and dramatic encounters, where the charm of the setting…
Level C1ClassicsDaughters of MenAmid the glittering salons of Athens, a celebrated pianist's return ignites a vibrant world of aristocrats, diplomats, and artists, weaving a dazzling tapestry of culture, ambition…
Level C1ClassicsDarrel of the Blessed IslesIn a remote wilderness where legends mingle with reality, a mysterious boy arrives in a little red sleigh, sparking a tale of rugged virtues, lost histories, and the quiet struggle…
Level C1ClassicsDark HesterIn a quiet Essex village, Monica Wilmott wrestles with haunting resentment toward Hester, the enigmatic woman married to her son Clive.
Level B2ClassicsDaphne: An Autumn PastoralAn American girl navigates language barriers and cultural quirks while exploring the Italian countryside alone, uncovering the beauty and challenges of villa life amid whispers of…
Level C1ClassicsDante Alighieri, Apostle of Freedom: War-time and Peace-time EssaysExplore the enduring spirit of Dante Alighieri as an apostle of liberty, whose timeless words inspire political, intellectual, and spiritual freedom amid the upheavals of war and p…
Level B2ClassicsDanny's Own StoryRaised by a quarrelsome couple who can’t agree on his name or his place in the world, young Danny navigates a harsh life where love, identity, and hardship collide in a raw, unforg…
Level C1ClassicsDaniel DerondaIn a lavish gambling salon where European high society mingles, a young boy’s gaze fixes on a mysterious woman whose restless charm sparks questions of fate and desire, setting the…
Level C1ClassicsDangerous Connections, v. 1, 2, 3, 4: A Series of Letters, selected from the Correspondence of a Private Circle; and Published for the Instruction of Society.In a society where appearances mask deceit, a tangled web of private letters reveals the dangerous entanglements of passion, manipulation, and ambition.
Level C1ClassicsDanger; Or, Wounded in the House of a FriendAmid a fierce winter storm, a young man, lost and disoriented, stumbles into a deadly danger that threatens to shatter his family.
Level C1ClassicsDandy Dick: A Play in Three ActsIn a bright deanery, two young women face a scandalous dilemma as they prepare to attend a masked ball under the watchful eye of their strict father.