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 B2ClassicsDancers in the DarkIn the glow of her first prom night, Joy Nelson steps into a dazzling world of late-night dances, rebellious roommates, and thrilling secrets.
Level B2ClassicsDame CareA family faces ruin as their estate is seized and a newborn’s arrival deepens their despair.
Level C1ClassicsDaisy: the autobiography of a catA spirited Boston-born cat recounts her early life, guided by her wise mother’s lessons on kindness and self-control amid rough neighborhood alley cats.
Level B2ClassicsDaisy's Necklace, and What Came of ItA vain young writer’s attempt at a novel unfolds alongside sharp critiques and the charming story of Daisy Snarle, whose mysterious necklace weaves through a tapestry of dreams, ho…
Level C1ClassicsDaisy of "Old Meadow."In a struggling village, a kind yet sharp-witted shopkeeper observes the lives around her, including the mysterious old man of "Old Meadow" and his gentle daughter Daisy, whose qui…
Level B2ClassicsDaisy ThorntonA devoted sister’s journal reveals her growing unease as her brother Guy marries Daisy, a charming but mysterious young woman from a troubled family.
Level C1ClassicsDaisy Miller: A StudyIn a luxurious Swiss hotel filled with tourists and intrigue, an American visitor observes the charming and curious lives of expatriates and travelers, setting the stage for a subt…
Level C1ClassicsDaisy Burns (Volume 2)Torn by childhood rivalries and complex emotions, Daisy reflects on the intense, often painful relationships shaping her past, revealing a tale of jealousy, passion, and the search…
Level C1ClassicsDaisy Burns (Volume 1)In a secluded cottage by the sea, a delicate young woman reflects on her solitary childhood with her devoted physician father, discovering the vast world beyond her garden while ye…
Level C1ClassicsDaireen. Volume 1 of 2A young heir grapples with the weight of his noble ancestry and a forbidden love that challenges family pride and fading traditions.
Level C1ClassicsDagonet AbroadA traveler’s vivid account of European cities unfolds through personal adventures and keen observations.
Level C1ClassicsCythereaA middle-aged man grapples with aging and restless curiosity when a mysterious doll, named Cytherea, captivates his imagination, stirring memories and an inexplicable fascination t…
Level C1ClassicsCynthia's Revels; Or, The Fountain of Self-LoveIn a world where ambition meets artistry, a fierce poet battles personal struggles and fierce rivals to carve his place on the English stage.
Level C1ClassicsCyclopedia of illustrations for public speakersA comprehensive collection of facts, anecdotes, and poetry designed to enrich public speeches, sermons, and lessons with vivid illustrations.
Level B2ClassicsCy Whittaker's PlaceIn the seaside town of Bayport, town clerk Asaph Tidditt uncovers a secret letter that could change everything about the coveted Whittaker estate, stirring local tensions and polit…
Level C1ClassicsCurious Epitaphs, Collected from the Graveyards of Great Britain and Ireland.Unearth the humor, history, and humanity etched in stone with a unique collection of curious epitaphs from parish clerks, sextons, and other memorable figures across Britain and Ir…
Level C1ClassicsCurious EpitaphsExplore a collection of witty and whimsical epitaphs that reveal the quirks and lives of tradesmen, engineers, and inventors, each memorialized with humor and humanity in their fin…
Level C1ClassicsCuriosities of Street LiteratureDive into the vibrant world of 19th-century street literature, where rival printers battle over bawdy ballads, political broadsides, and sensational tales crafted for the amusement…
Level B2ClassicsCupid and the lawIn the shadowy world of Honolulu's opium smuggling, a cunning crew navigates danger and deception, racing against customs officers to protect their illicit cargo.
Level C1ClassicsCup-bearers of wine and helleboreDive into the boisterous world of François Rabelais, where earthy humor and profound truths mingle amid vineyards, monasteries, and lively kitchens.
Level C1ClassicsCulture's garlandExplore sharp wit and tender insight as humor gently unmasks the follies and pretensions of society, blending satire with reverence in a lively celebration of American literature a…
Level C1ClassicsCrump folk going homeIn a cold, creaking manor shadowed by sudden death, Christian de Lyndesay returns home to confront family secrets and the eerie legacy of “Slinkin’” Lyndesay.
Level C1ClassicsCrucial InstancesStep behind the shuttered facade of an ancient Italian villa, where time stands still in the untouched apartments of a long-gone duchess, and uncover the silent secrets nestled in…
Level C1ClassicsCrowded Out! and Other SketchesAn ambitious artist battles the harsh realities of London life, striving to be recognized while clinging to a fierce love for the city’s gritty charm and endless possibilities.
Level B2ClassicsCrowd-horrorA fiercely powerful boxer with raw talent struggles to master the science of fighting as his determined manager guides him from reckless slugger to potential champion in the brutal…
Level C1ClassicsCritical Strictures on the New Tragedy of Elvira, Written by Mr. David MallochThree young Scotsmen set out to harshly critique a new tragedy by David Malloch, a controversial figure despised for his arrogance and betrayals.
Level C1ClassicsCritical Miscellanies, Vol. 1, Essay 3: ByronExplore the paradox of a conservative England birthing a revolutionary poet whose fiery verses inspired social rebels across Europe, yet remains misunderstood and underappreciated…
Level C1ClassicsCritical Miscellanies, Vol. 1, Essay 2: CarlyleExplore the profound influence of a fiery intellectual who sees society's unraveling and challenges the complacency of his age.
Level C1ClassicsCritical Miscellanies, Vol. 1 (of 3), Essay 4: MacaulayExplore the enduring influence of a literary titan whose vivid narration and commanding style shaped modern journalism and captivated generations.
Level C1ClassicsCritical Miscellanies (Vol. 3 of 3), Essay 6: Harriet MartineauExplore the life of Harriet Martineau, a woman of steadfast moral courage and intellectual rigor, whose unwavering sincerity and progressive social insights challenge the conventio…
Level C1ClassicsCritical Miscellanies (Vol. 3 of 3), Essay 5: On Pattison's MemoirsExplore the unvarnished memoirs of a reserved scholar whose intellect, though not groundbreaking, offers sharp irony and insightful reflections amid Victorian academic life.
Level C1ClassicsCritical Miscellanies (Vol. 3 of 3), Essay 4: The Life of George EliotExplore the thoughtful life behind the literary genius George Eliot, revealed through her letters and journals, as this biography delves into her views on privacy, criticism, and t…
Level C1ClassicsCripps, the Carrier: A Woodland TaleIn the secluded village of Beckley, the Cripps family follows a strict tradition: each son inherits a specific trade, with the eldest becoming the carrier.
Level C1ClassicsCressyIn a rustic California schoolhouse, a young teacher grapples with the unruly, wandering spirits of his country pupils, whose reluctant arrival and lively chatter hint at hidden sto…
Level C1ClassicsCreatures That Once Were MenIn a land teetering between ancient paganism and modern upheaval, the raw spirit of revolution clashes with deep-rooted loyalty, revealing the turbulent souls of men caught between…
Level C1ClassicsCream of the jugA lively anthology of humorous tales capturing American wit and charm from the 1920s, blending sharp storytelling with laughter-inducing moments across diverse voices and styles.
Level C1ClassicsCradock Nowell: A Tale of the New Forest. Vol. 3 (of 3)In a quaint New Forest parish, festive preparations mask deeper sorrows as Parson John faces an uncertain future and Amy ventures beyond familiar woods to the dazzling yet daunting…
Level C1ClassicsCradock Nowell: A Tale of the New Forest. Vol. 2 (of 3)In the heart of the New Forest, Cradock Nowell and Amy Rosedew forge a moonlit bond, while secrets and rivalries simmer beneath the genteel surface at Kettledrum Hall.
Level B2ClassicsCowboy Life on the Sidetrack: Being an Extremely Humorous & Sarcastic Story of the Trials & Tribulations Endured by a Party of Stockmen Making a Shipment from the West to the East.A group of seasoned cowboys faces the chaotic reality of shipping cattle eastward, battling delays, deceptive agents, and railroad logistics on the great Overland route.
Level C1ClassicsCousin PonsAmid the bustling streets of 1844 Paris, an eccentric old man clad in outdated Empire fashion captures the curious gaze of passersby, hinting at a poignant tale of faded grandeur a…
Level B2ClassicsCousin PhillisA young clerk embarks on newfound independence in a quiet county town, navigating the challenges of work, solitude, and society.
Level B2ClassicsCousin MaudeA young widow faces a life-changing engagement to a wealthy but cold doctor whose true nature remains unknown as she prepares to leave her simple home and bring her spirited daught…
Level C1ClassicsCousin MaryA proud but fading family estate hides stories of past glory and quiet struggles as the Prescotts navigate their diminished fortunes and complicated relationships within their gran…
Level C1ClassicsCousin HenryA young woman faces a wrenching choice between family duty and personal integrity when her uncle insists she marry her despised cousin to keep their ancestral estate intact.
Level C1ClassicsCousin BettyA self-satisfied retired captain navigates Parisian society, where pride and appearances mask deeper family tensions.
Level C1ClassicsCourt Netherleigh: A NovelAmidst the serene Berkshire countryside, the stately Court Netherleigh stands as a beacon of tradition and care, where Miss Margery and two young women await the arrival of visitor…
Level C1ClassicsCountry NeighborsIn a quiet country house, Amelia Maxwell, a solitary woman haunted by past romance, finds her peaceful routine disrupted when a long-lost acquaintance unexpectedly arrives, stirrin…
Level C1ClassicsCountry LuckA city merchant’s family spends a summer on a rustic farm, where youthful innocence meets social contrasts and unexpected friendships blossom.