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 C1ClassicsColin Clink, Volume 3 (of 3)In a misty London morning, Colin unexpectedly encounters the fierce Jerry Clink, leading him to shadow the man through shadowy streets and secret meetings.
Level C1ClassicsColin Clink, Volume 1 (of 3)Born into poverty and scorned by his own family, Colin Clink faces a harsh world with only the hope of rising above his humble beginnings.
Level C1ClassicsColas BreugnonIn the heart of Burgundy, a spirited narrator channels the lively spirit of his forebears, sharing candid stories filled with humor and warmth amid the looming shadows of war.
Level C1ClassicsCoffee and ReparteeIn a lively boarding house, a sharp-tongued group of gentlemen gather around breakfast, exchanging witty banter and probing each other's quirks—where umbrellas, rare books, and dry…
Level C1ClassicsCobwebs from an Empty SkullDive into a collection of witty fables where cunning animals and clever humans reveal timeless truths through sharp, unexpected tales.
Level B2ClassicsCobwebs and CablesRoland Sefton, a prosperous bank partner and beloved town leader, faces a looming crisis that threatens his cherished home and reputation.
Level B2ClassicsCobb's AnatomyDive into a witty exploration of body image and the trials of growing stout, as a slim narrator humorously recounts the social quirks and personal challenges of gaining weight and…
Level C1ClassicsCoasting BohemiaExplore the vibrant world of Victorian art and theatre through intimate essays and personal reflections, revealing how the Bohemia of the past shaped creativity and challenged the…
Level C1ClassicsCoaches and CoachingExplore the elegance and complexity of coaches and carriages, where comfort meets pride and the thrill of travel intertwines with social status.
Level B2ClassicsCloudy JewelA devoted woman faces loneliness and judgment after refusing her sister's offer of shelter and support, choosing instead to remain alone in the family home amidst grief and hardshi…
Level B2ClassicsClocksDiscover the quirky world of clocks that are either charmingly unreliable or deceptively precise, causing daily chaos and unexpected adventures.
Level C1ClassicsClioAn ancient bard, known as the Blind One, journeys through sacred woods and sunlit valleys, carrying the weight of years and memories.
Level C1ClassicsClerambault: The Story of an Independent Spirit During the WarAmid the turmoil of war, an independent spirit grapples with the loss of individual conscience swallowed by the collective, challenging blind patriotism and urging the courage to t…
Level C1ClassicsClemenceA young woman of delicate upbringing faces the looming threat of poverty and hardship after the loss of her father, while navigating her mother's high societal expectations and her…
Level C1ClassicsClayhangerIn the industrial heart of the Five Towns, sixteen-year-old Edwin Clayhanger faces the daunting transition from schoolboy innocence to the complexities of adult life, set against a…
Level C1ClassicsClaude's ConfessionA struggling young poet in the Paris Latin Quarter bares his soul through feverish letters, revealing a poignant journey of love, despair, and hope amidst the harsh realities of st…
Level C1ClassicsClark's FieldA nostalgic journey through a once-familiar town reveals the relentless march of progress erasing childhood landmarks like Clark's Field.
Level C1ClassicsClara HopgoodIn the quiet town of Fenmarket, sisters Clara and Madge Hopgood navigate societal expectations and personal desires against a backdrop of monotonous landscapes and stifling provinc…
Level C1ClassicsClair de Lune: A Play in Two Acts and Six ScenesIn a stately court where political intrigue simmers beneath elegant façades, a restless queen seeks her elusive prince amid whispers of secret passions and shadowy plots.
Level C1ClassicsCircular SawsWitty and whimsical tales twist reality with kings who splash boldly, an ostrich in Parliament, a princess craving a frog’s freedom, and a beauty who defies convention—each story b…
Level C1ClassicsCirce's DaughterIn a London flat buzzing with anticipation, a seasoned butler and an old family friend reflect on the rise of a young barrister poised to become remarkable.
Level C1ClassicsCinderella, and Other StoriesIn a bustling New York hotel, the staff unites to host an extraordinary annual ball, inviting a celebrated singer to perform for their exclusive celebration.
Level C1ClassicsCinderella JaneIn a season of lavish society spectacles, aspiring artist Jerry Paxton seizes a daring chance to direct a grand biblical pageant, navigating high society’s demands and his own ambi…
Level C1ClassicsCicelyIn the sun-drenched south of France, young Geneviève navigates the quiet struggles of family duty, social expectations, and longing for a more vibrant life beyond her modest world.
Level C1ClassicsChronicles of the Canongate, 1st SeriesAmid financial ruin and revealed identity, a once-anonymous author turns to storytelling with candid reflections and vivid tales drawn from Scottish life, blending humor, tragedy,…
Level C1ClassicsChristmas storiesOn Christmas Eve, Alice Warren prepares for her debut into society, her family’s wealth and warmth contrasting sharply with the envy and hidden struggles of Adelaide Huntington, wh…
Level C1ClassicsChristmas at Thompson HallA determined Mrs.![Cover of Christmas Stories from French and Spanish Writers by Antoinette [Translator] Ogden](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dabm6io9638s73a2ufdg.webp)
Level B2ClassicsChristmas Stories from French and Spanish WritersA blind musician, orphaned and isolated, pours his soul into composing a grand requiem while struggling against poverty and political oppression.
Level C1ClassicsChristmas Roses and Other StoriesIn a wintry garden, a resilient widow tending Christmas roses finds unexpected hope and strength as she faces grief and a troubling letter from her family, reminding her that life’…
Level B2ClassicsChristmas Eve on Lonesome and Other StoriesIn a snowy, secluded mountain town, a man fueled by years of hatred plots revenge against the enemy who betrayed him, only to confront unexpected truths on a tense Christmas Eve.
Level C1ClassicsChristmas Eve at Swamp's EndAmid a frozen, windswept lumber town on Christmas Eve, young Pattie Batch pours her heart into crafting a precious cloak, weaving warmth and love against the harsh wilderness and t…
Level B2ClassicsChristmas DayStep into a frosty Christmas morning at an ancient English estate where charming children, loyal hounds, and heartfelt carols fill the air with festive magic and old-world traditio…
Level C1ClassicsChristmas Comes but Once a Year: Showing What Mr. Brown Did, Thought, and Intended to Do, During That Festive Season.In a snowy Victorian suburb, the ambitious Mr.
Level C1ClassicsChristine of the hillsA mysterious guide leads a traveler through the enchanting Adriatic islands to a secluded pavilion where Christine, a captivating and enigmatic woman, awaits amidst lush nature and…
Level C1ClassicsChristineA young woman embarks on a bold adventure studying music in Berlin, writing heartfelt letters home as she navigates hope, love, and the looming shadows of war in 1914 Germany.
Level C1ClassicsChristina Alberta's fatherA retired laundryman, Mr.
Level C1ClassicsChristie Johnstone: A NovelA wealthy but restless viscount finds himself discontent despite his fortune and pleasures, until love and sharp intellect intertwine in the spirited Lady Barbara Sinclair, whose v…
Level C1ClassicsChristian's MistakeA young governess unexpectedly marries the reserved Master of Saint Bede's College, thrusting her into a world of social change and hidden tensions.
Level C1ClassicsChristian MelvilleOn a cold December evening, Christian Melville, a thoughtful woman burdened by sorrow, faces the bittersweet emotions stirred by her brother's impending marriage.
Level C1ClassicsChristian Gellert's Last Christmas: From "German Tales" Published by the American Publishers' CorporationIn 1768 Leipzig, beloved poet and moral lecturer Christian Gellert faces his final lessons with a heavy heart, questioning the true impact of his teachings on youth and the world.
Level C1ClassicsChrist in FlandersIn a remote Flemish village where aristocrats and commoners share a tense boat journey, mysterious arrivals spark whispered legends and deep social divides.
Level C1ClassicsChoice Specimens of American Literature, and Literary Reader: Being Selections from the Chief American WritersExplore a curated collection of extended excerpts from America’s foremost writers, spanning religious, historical, and literary voices from the seventeenth century onward.
Level C1ClassicsChitra, a Play in One ActA warrior princess raised as a son grapples with her identity and love when Arjuna, a famed prince and ascetic, enters her forest realm, challenging her strength and awakening her…
Level B2ClassicsChit-Chat; Nirvana; The SearchlightA young man named John Cornwall navigates the challenges of early 20th-century life, from boyhood adventures to a pivotal job managing vast coal lands in Kentucky.
Level C1ClassicsChinese fables and folk storiesExplore the enchanting world of Chinese fables and folk stories, revealing the rich imagination, wisdom, and cultural insights of a people whose tales have long remained hidden fro…
Level C1ClassicsChildren of the desertAmid the vast, unforgiving desert borderlands, Harboro, a stoic railroad man with a mysterious past, marries Sylvia in a small town where weddings are rare and lives intersect unde…
Level C1ClassicsChildren of the TenementsIn the grim tenements of New York, a struggling immigrant family battles poverty, sickness, and ruthless landlords to protect their most precious treasure—their child, known only a…
Level B2ClassicsChildren of the SoilReturning to the mist-shrouded village of Kremen, Pan Stanislav Polanyetski confronts memories of childhood and a past intertwined with family, mystery, and the haunting beauty of…