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.
- 6,942
- books
Level C1ClassicsChildren of the Ghetto: A Study of a Peculiar PeopleWithin the narrow streets of London’s Jewish Ghetto, a vibrant community struggles with poverty, tradition, and the weight of history, weaving dreams and faith amid hardship and ch…
Level C1ClassicsChildren of the Dear CotswoldsAmid the timeless beauty of the Cotswolds, returning soldiers and locals reconnect with their cherished homeland, revealing the deep bonds between people and place during a time of…
Level B2ClassicsChildren of the BushIn the rugged Australian bush, a group of rough shearers rally together to help a sick jackaroo, revealing a harsh yet fiercely loyal community bound by a simple creed of shared ha…
Level B2ClassicsChildren of MenIn a relentless factory filled with roaring sewing machines, Braun dreams of a distant place where beauty is free and life might offer a brief escape from grinding labor and loomin…
Level C1ClassicsChild and Country: A Book of the Younger GenerationA family escapes the weariness of city life to build a home on the lakeshore, discovering health, creativity, and a new vision for educating children at home.
Level C1ClassicsChetwynd CalverleyIn a grand Cheshire estate, estranged siblings reunite amid their father's grave illness, unveiling family tensions and mysterious silences that hint at deep secrets and shifting l…
Level C1ClassicsCheckers: A Hard-luck StoryOn Derby Day in Chicago, a novice racegoer navigates the thrilling chaos of betting, crowds, and horse racing odds, uncovering unexpected stakes and secrets beneath the surface of…
Level C2ClassicsChaucer's Works, Volume 5 — Notes to the Canterbury TalesDelve into detailed scholarly notes that unravel the complex manuscript history and authorship debates surrounding the Canterbury Tales, offering critical insights into Chaucer's g…
Level C1ClassicsChattertonIn a cramped London garret, the young poet Chatterton wrestles with poverty and pride while clinging to his dreams and the fragile hope of recognition, even as those around him dis…
Level B2ClassicsChateau d'Or, Norah, and Kitty CraigTraveling through southern France, a chance glimpse of the ancient Chateau d’Or sparks a haunting tale of ambition, love, and mystery centered on Annie Strong, a beautiful New Engl…
Level C1ClassicsChastelard, a TragedyIn the shadowed chambers of Holyrood, the four Maries weave songs of love and longing, while whispers of courtly passion and scandal stir around the enigmatic figure of Chastelard,…
Level C1ClassicsChaste as Ice, Pure as Snow: A NovelIn bustling London during May, a striking woman of contrasting elegance and simplicity faces the vibrant world around her, while hidden stories of hope, struggle, and art unfold am…
Level C1ClassicsCharlotte Brontë: A MonographExplore the life and genius of one of the most remarkable women of her age through intimate letters and firsthand accounts that reveal the true spirit behind the literary legend, s…
Level C1ClassicsCharles Tyrrell; or, The Bitter Blood. Volumes I and IIIn a tranquil Hampshire estate, where nature’s renewal contrasts with human loss, deep secrets and shifting fortunes unfold amid a home shaped by generations.
Level C1ClassicsCharles Lever, His Life in His Letters, Vol. IIDive into a vivid correspondence capturing the trials and triumphs of a writer grappling with health, criticism, and creativity amid Florence’s charm.
Level C1ClassicsCharles Lever, His Life in His Letters, Vol. IDiscover the life and literary journey of Charles Lever through his own letters, revealing intimate insights and fresh perspectives on the Irish novelist behind beloved works like…
Level C1ClassicsCharles Lamb: A MemoirA devoted man battles life's hardships to protect his sister, whose tragic madness shadows their shared existence.
Level C1ClassicsCharles LambDive into the vivid life of a devoted Londoner whose days unfold amid the bustling streets, theaters, and coffee houses of the city.
Level C1ClassicsCharles DickensExplore the vibrant world behind literary styles as this work unpacks the artifice of romanticism and realism, revealing the optimistic spirit that breathes life into Dickens’s unf…
Level B2ClassicsCharles Chapin's storyA celebrated city editor faces life imprisonment after a devastating act driven by despair and mental anguish.
Level C1ClassicsCharles Baudelaire, His LifeDiscover the intimate life and striking presence of a young poet on the cusp of fame, as he navigates the artistic circles of 19th-century Paris with a unique blend of dandyism and…
Level C1ClassicsCharles Auchester, Volume 2 (of 2)A solitary violinist arrives at a German academy, navigating unfamiliar customs and a world of earnest, youthful scholars.
Level C1ClassicsCharles Auchester, Volume 1 (of 2)Amidst the vibrant world of 19th-century music, a young idealist navigates passion, genius, and the immortal spirit of Mendelssohn, capturing the heart of a musical era through fri…
Level C1ClassicsCharacters of Shakespeare's PlaysExplore the rich personalities behind Shakespeare's plays through the keen insights of a passionate thinker shaped by a unique upbringing and intellectual awakening, revealing the…
Level C1ClassicsCharacter Writings of the Seventeenth CenturyExplore vivid portraits of human nature through concise sketches that reveal timeless vices and quirks, from dissimulation to stupidity, tracing the rich tradition of character wri…
Level C1ClassicsCharacter Sketches of Romance, Fiction and the Drama, Vol. 3Explore vivid character sketches drawn from romance, fiction, and drama, revealing the quirks and depths of figures like Mark Tapley’s jolly resilience amid hardship and young Marl…
Level C1ClassicsCharacter Sketches of Romance, Fiction and the Drama, Vol. 1Explore vivid portraits of iconic figures from romance, fiction, and drama, enriched by detailed illustrations and historical insights that bring legendary characters and their sto…
Level C1ClassicsChapters from My AutobiographyDive into a lively, unconventional autobiography that shuns grandiose tales for everyday truths, weaving ancestral legends with personal reflections in a candid, free-flowing narra…
Level C1ClassicsChantry HouseThree brothers navigate childhood and unexpected inheritance at Chantry House, facing family secrets and personal trials shaped by fate and loss.
Level C1ClassicsChance in Chains: A Story of Monte CarloTwo struggling engineers in Paris make a groundbreaking discovery in wireless telegraphy, but lack the funds and influence to bring it to life—will their revolutionary idea ever se…
Level C1ClassicsChainsIn a grim tenement world of poverty, violence, and despair, young Madeleine Kinsella quietly navigates her harsh surroundings with a fragile hope for something better.
Level C1ClassicsCertain Personal MattersA sharp, witty exploration of life's contradictions unfolds through reflections on cherished heirlooms, the allure of cheapness, and the weight of tradition.
Level C1ClassicsCeres' Runaway, and Other EssaysExplore the untamed beauty of Rome’s wild greenery as it defies municipal order, flourishing atop ancient ruins and city rooftops, revealing a vibrant, fragrant landscape where nat…
Level C1ClassicsCelt and Saxon — CompleteA young Irishman journeys to the Welsh border, torn between duty and desire, to seek a mysterious woman who once captivated his brother.
Level C1ClassicsCelibatesThree intertwined stories explore the lives of celibates shaped by modern society: a charming yet cold flirt, a proud monk-like man torn by his passions, and a woman who seeks refu…
Level C1ClassicsCecilia: A Story of Modern RomeIn the serene, hidden garden of Rome’s Arcadian Society, two contrasting friends—a bold naval officer and a contemplative dreamer—reflect on life, art, and the restless tides of th…
Level C1ClassicsCecil Castlemaine's Gage, Lady Marabout's Troubles, and Other StoriesIn a dazzling 18th-century court, Cecil Castlemaine reigns as an untouchable beauty whose pride and political zeal defy the suitors vying for her favor, challenging the era's socia…
Level C1ClassicsCaught in a TrapA restless soldier dreads a dull week at his strict mother’s country estate and persuades his charming friend to join him, promising adventure, social intrigue, and a mysterious go…
Level C1ClassicsCato: A Tragedy, in Five ActsIn a time of political turmoil, a stoic Roman leader faces the ultimate test of virtue and freedom.
Level B2ClassicsCatherine's coquetriesIn a lively French village, Catherine, the gamekeeper’s spirited wife, invents a playful chase among raspberry bushes that sparks joy, rivalry, and unexpected encounters—where laug…
Level B2ClassicsCatherine herselfA young girl named Catherine navigates the rhythms of home, school, and church life in a small town, observing the quirks and mysteries of the adults around her while trying to und…
Level C1ClassicsCatharine FurzeIn the quiet market town of Eastthorpe, where ancient traditions meet subtle change, life unfolds under the shadow of St.
Level C1ClassicsCatharineA young woman faces a long, painful illness with unwavering Christian faith, transforming her final days into a testament of hope and spiritual peace.
Level C1ClassicsCastle RackrentAn intimate portrait unfolds of the spirited Edgeworth family, whose lively letters and rich traditions reveal the passionate, unconventional lives of a prominent Irish household n…
Level C1ClassicsCast AdriftIn the harsh underbelly of a sprawling city, a mother's desperate search for her lost child exposes the brutal realities of poverty, crime, and vice.
Level C1ClassicsCashel Byron's ProfessionA restless youth struggles at a strict English school, caught between academic failure and a reputation for athletic prowess—and the high hopes of the determined woman who cares fo…
Level C1ClassicsCarter, and Other PeopleTorn between two worlds, Carter is a man of mixed race trapped by society’s harsh lines and his own conflicted identity.
Level C1ClassicsCarson of Red RiverIn an industrial riverside flat, Kit Carson balances the harsh realities of shipbuilding with the warmth of friendship and the hopeful spirit of Mabel Blake’s bright presence.