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 C1ClassicsBeaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 05 of 10Noble intrigue and passionate conflict unfold across Naples and France as kings, queens, and lovers navigate power, disguise, and desire.
Level C2ClassicsBeaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 04 of 10Step into the intrigues of imperial Rome with senators, soldiers, and emperors clashing in a gripping tragedy, then shift to the lively comedy of Monsieur Thomas, where love, wit,…
Level C1ClassicsBeaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 03 of 10: The Loyal SubjectIn the turbulent court of Moscovia, a seasoned general wrestles with loyalty and honor amid political intrigue, while a young duke's ambition stirs unrest in the ranks.
Level C2ClassicsBeaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 02 of 10: the Humourous LieutenantAmidst courtly intrigue and sharp wit, a spirited young woman navigates the pomp and power of royal audiences and embassies, challenging the rigid hierarchy and revealing the fiery…
Level C1ClassicsBeaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 01 of 10: the Custom of the CountryIn a land ruled by a brutal custom where governors claim the maidenhood of brides before marriage, a nobleman faces a harrowing choice between love and honor.
Level C1ClassicsBeauchamp's Career — CompleteAs tensions rise with a looming foreign threat, a young naval officer returns home to a nation grappling with fear, political strife, and questions about its military preparedness.
Level C1ClassicsBeatrixIn a remote Breton town frozen in time, ancient feudal customs clash with the encroaching modern world, revealing a society caught between fading traditions and inevitable change.
Level C1ClassicsBeasts and Super-BeastsIn a world where mystical lore and esoteric powers mingle with high society, an enigmatic visitor claims to wield Siberian Magic, stirring intrigue and a daring wager to transform…
Level B2ClassicsBeasts & Men: Folk Tales Collected in Flanders and Illustrated by Jean de BosschèreIn a drought-stricken valley, cunning Master Fox and clever Mistress Goat embark on a quest for water, but the Fox’s sly trick leaves the Goat trapped and at the mercy of the farme…
Level C1ClassicsBeasley's Christmas PartyIn a quiet, moonlit neighborhood, a newcomer becomes intrigued by a mysterious house where unseen guests appear and ghostly whispers echo through the night, hinting at secrets wait…
Level C1ClassicsBealby; A HolidayYoung Bealby rebels against his destined role as a servant at the grand estate of Shonts, determined to carve out a different future despite his family’s insistence.
Level C1ClassicsBayou FolkIn post-war Louisiana, a young man seeks purpose as he investigates a dilapidated plantation on the Red River, confronting the legacy of a fallen Creole family and the mysteries of…
Level C1ClassicsBasil and Annette: A NovelUnder the vibrant Australian sun, Basil Whittingham, a charming yet penniless English gentleman, navigates a new life on a remote plantation alongside the enigmatic Anthony Bidaud.
Level C1ClassicsBasilWhen love blooms in the most unlikely places and ordinary street sounds heighten the drama of human passions, a story unfolds where reality and extraordinary events collide to reve…
Level C1ClassicsBashan and IIn serene morning strolls, a man shares a profound bond with Bashan, his spirited dog whose joyful, intricate greetings reveal the subtle depths of canine mind and affection.
Level C1ClassicsBartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall-StreetIn a quiet Wall Street law office, an unambitious lawyer encounters Bartleby, a peculiar scrivener whose strange behavior challenges the routine of his orderly world.
Level C1ClassicsBartholomew Fair: A ComedyStep into the bustling chaos of Bartholomew Fair, where lively characters and sharp wit collide in a riotous celebration of London's vibrant street life.
Level C1ClassicsBart Ridgeley: A Story of Northern OhioA weary young man returns to Northern Ohio, burdened by failures and uncertain of his path, only to face the cold judgment of a respected local judge.
Level C1ClassicsBarrington. Volume 2 (of 2)Amid autumn’s changing light, Barrington returns to his ancestral home with his sister and granddaughter, only to find the past and present entwined in unexpected ways.
Level C1ClassicsBarrington. Volume 1 (of 2)In a secluded Irish inn favored by fishermen, a fallen gentleman clings to his passion for law amid the ruins of his fortune and family scandal.
Level C1ClassicsBarren GroundIn a desolate Virginia farming community struggling with barren soil and fading traditions, a young woman faces the harsh realities of life and fate amid the relentless spread of b…
Level B2ClassicsBarnaby: A NovelTrapped in the desolate outpost of Paradise Town, a stranded troupe of actors throws themselves into their performances with desperate passion, clinging to the hope that a passing…
Level C1ClassicsBarks and PurrsStep into a charming world where a dog and a cat reveal the simple truths of life through their natural, heartfelt adventures in a Parisian apartment garden.
Level C1ClassicsBardell v. PickwickIn 1828 London, a well-meaning bachelor faces a comic legal battle when his landlady misinterprets his intentions, leading to a breach of promise trial filled with sharp satire on…
Level C1ClassicsBarchester TowersPower struggles and political intrigue unfold in the cathedral city of Barchester as the death of the old bishop sparks a tense race to fill his seat amid shifting government tides…
Level C1ClassicsBarbarossa, and Other TalesAmidst the serene isolation of a mountain village, a poet seeks solitude and finds unexpected companionship in an eccentric apothecary whose endless verses reveal a heart shaped by…
Level C1ClassicsBarbara RebellOn her tenth birthday in serene St.
Level C1ClassicsBalzacA prodigious boy with a restless mind, Balzac absorbs vast knowledge and battles mysterious illnesses while dreaming of future fame.
Level C1ClassicsBalzacExplore the turbulent world of early 19th-century France, where society struggles to rebuild after revolution and empire, through the life and works of a novelist whose stories mir…
Level B2ClassicsBalthasar and Other Works - 1909A young Ethiopian king embarks on a journey to meet the enchanting Queen of Sheba, whose beauty captivates him and stirs a mysterious desire to experience fear, challenging the saf…
Level C1ClassicsBalloonsIn a world where youth and charm dictate worth, Miss Wilcox struggles to find love and meaning beyond appearances and empty flirtations.
ClassicsBaled Hay: A Drier Book than Walt Whitman's "Leaves o' Grass"A lively collection of humorous essays, anecdotes, and reflections that blend wit and homespun wisdom, offering a charming glimpse into everyday life and human nature with a playfu…
Level C1ClassicsBalcony StoriesOn summer nights in a sun-drenched land, women gather on balconies to share stories of love, loss, and life, their whispered voices weaving a tapestry of memories and secrets benea…
Level B2ClassicsBalaam and His Master, and Other Sketches and StoriesIn the peculiar town of Billville, where nearly every man is named Bill, the arrival of Berrien Cozart—a handsome but willful child—sets the stage for a story of unexpected bonds a…
Level C1ClassicsBakemono Yashiki (The Haunted House), Retold from the Japanese Originals: Tales of the Tokugawa, Volume 2 (of 2)In the tumultuous era following the fall of the Hōjō clan, a web of loyalty, power struggles, and military strategy unfolds around Tokugawa Iyeyasu’s rise to shogunate in Edo.
Level C1ClassicsBagh O Bahar, or Tales of the Four DarweshesJourney into a vibrant garden of tales where four wandering mystics share stories steeped in Eastern thought, language, and fantastical beings like jinns and angels, revealing the…
Level C1ClassicsBad HughIn a mysterious Kentucky estate weathering a fierce winter storm, Hugh Worthington returns home to a life shaped by an enigmatic past and the complex ties of family, solitude, and…
Level C1ClassicsBaconian EssaysExplore the controversial theory that the plays and poems attributed to Shakespeare were actually penned by hidden authors, challenging long-held beliefs about literary history and…
Level C1ClassicsBacklog StudiesIn a world losing its hearth and home, one man reflects on the fading warmth of family and tradition amid modern life's artificial comforts.
Level B2ClassicsBack to the Woods: The Story of a Fall from GraceA hapless gambler’s streak of bad luck at the racetrack strains his promises and relationships, leading to humorous misadventures and a struggle to regain trust and stability amid…![Cover of Back to back [Night watches, Part 1.] by W. Jacobs](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da6jmoapmtvc73csnnj0.webp)
Level B2ClassicsBack to back [Night watches, Part 1.]After a minor railway accident leaves Mr.
Level C1ClassicsBack Home: Being the Narrative of Judge Priest and His PeopleIn a small Kentucky town where the Civil War's legacy lingers, a newcomer faces suspicion after killing the county clerk without witnesses—setting the stage for a vivid portrayal o…
Level C1ClassicsBack HomeA candid, humorous reflection on the simple pleasures and restless nights brought on by a modest book, offering a fresh perspective on life beyond youthful romances.
Level C1ClassicsBabylon, Volume 3Caught between the decaying grandeur of Rome and the harsh realities of artistic failure, Hiram Winthrop struggles to find his true voice amid squalor, disappointment, and fleeting…
Level C1ClassicsBabylon, Volume 2A young sculptor, yearning to escape his modest apprenticeship, dreams of studying in Rome to master his craft and prove his talent.
Level C1ClassicsBabylon, Volume 1In a stark rural American farm, young Hiram finds solace in a wild blackberry lot, a rare patch of nature amid endless, barren fields.
Level C1ClassicsBaboo Jabberjee, B.A.An earnest Indian graduate striving to master English prose offers his refined essays and poetry to a London periodical, challenging the prevailing vulgarities of local writing wit…
Level C1ClassicsBabes in the BushA family faces financial ruin in England and is tempted by a letter offering a new start on a vast Australian estate.