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 B2ClassicsAnne Severn and the FieldingsA young girl returns to the grand Fieldings estate after her mother's death, navigating the complex relationships with Jerrold and his family while coping with grief and memories o…
Level C1ClassicsAnne PageIn the twilight garden of Fairholme Court, Anne Page, a woman of timeless beauty and quiet grace, awaits evening guests amid the enchanting scent of roses and lavender.
Level B2ClassicsAnne Hereford: A NovelA young girl in deep mourning journeys alone through foggy England to stay with her Aunt Selina, encountering strangers and uncertainty along the way.
Level C1ClassicsAnnals of a Quiet NeighbourhoodA reflective vicar, grappling with doubt and the passage of time, invites you into a quiet parish where the unseen struggles of faith and purpose unfold.
Level C1ClassicsAnnajanska, the Bolshevik EmpressIn a turbulent military outpost, a weary general confronts the chaos of shifting powers and shattered loyalties amid revolution.
Level C1ClassicsAnna the AdventuressA woman flees a terrifying incident and assumes her sister Anna’s identity, enduring a scandalous reputation in Paris.
Level B2ClassicsAnna of the Five TownsIn a bustling chapel yard, young Agnes clutches her prize book, caught between the watchful eyes of two very different men.
Level C1ClassicsAnna ChristieA hardened captain returns to the gritty waterfront tavern where old ties and secrets linger like the whiskey on the bar.
Level B2ClassicsAnn and Her MotherIn a cozy country fireside setting, Ann dreams of transforming her inherited Green Glen into a blooming sanctuary, while her practical mother offers a grounded perspective on the c…
Level C1ClassicsAnn Boyd: A NovelA determined woman faces harsh judgment from her community and church after boldly reclaiming her place among them, challenging long-held prejudices and enduring bitter conflict ov…
Level C2ClassicsAnimaduersions uppon the annotacions and corrections of some imperfections of impressiones of Chaucer's workesDelve into a 16th-century critique revealing the intricacies of editing Chaucer’s works, intertwined with the storied lineage and literary influence of the Thynne family, guardians…
Level C2ClassicsAnima PoetæDive into the intimate pocket-books of a restless mind, where poetry, philosophy, and personal reflection intertwine in a tapestry of unfiltered thoughts and spiritual yearnings.
Level C1ClassicsAngels' Shoes, and Other StoriesIn a remote jungle where river and sea clash, a wounded man and a mysterious native girl are rescued by a fragile trader’s crew, sparking a haunting tale of survival, identity, and…
Level C1ClassicsAngelicaIn a gritty Harlem tenement, a weary mother struggles to provide for her captivating yet exacting daughter, Angelica, whose mysterious allure both fascinates and unsettles those ar…
Level C1ClassicsAngela's BusinessA young writer grapples with society's outdated assumptions about women, challenging the roles imposed on spinsters and idle wives as he explores the complexities of the Woman Ques…
Level C1ClassicsAnecdotes of the late Samuel Johnson, LL.D.: During the Last Twenty Years of His LifeStep into the intimate world of Samuel Johnson through the eyes of a close friend and hostess who witnessed his final years.
Level C2ClassicsAnecdotes of the Learned Pig: With Notes, Critical and Explanatory, and Illustrations from Bozzy, Piozzi &c. &c.A remarkable pig, born amid political turmoil and steeped in controversy, navigates a world of factional conflicts and royal favors.
Level B2ClassicsAndrocles and the LionIn a forest where wild beasts roam, a meek Christian named Androcles navigates his strained marriage and unexpected encounters—especially when a wounded lion crosses their path, ch…
Level C1ClassicsAndrew MarvellExplore the enigmatic life of Andrew Marvell, a poet, parliamentarian, and diplomat whose striking wit and steadfast patriotism shaped 17th-century England, yet whose true characte…
Level C1ClassicsAnderby WoldIn the frost-bitten East Riding countryside, Sarah Bannister drives with quiet determination to a tea party celebrating the final clearance of a farm mortgage, navigating the delic…
Level C1ClassicsAnatole FranceExplore the life and works of Anatole France, a pacifist thinker whose clear, ironic mind navigates beauty and ugliness alike amid the turmoil of war.
Level C1ClassicsAnatole FranceExplore the sharp wit and subtle irony that define a writer who masks profound truths beneath naïve tones, challenging society’s conventions and revealing the complexity of justice…
Level C1ClassicsAnathema: A Tragedy in Seven ScenesIn a mysterious realm guarded by silent sentinels, Anathema, a restless outcast, challenges fate and eternity itself.
Level C1ClassicsAnalytical StudiesExplore the sharp, satirical dissection of marriage and its complexities, where biting humor and philosophical insight challenge the romantic ideal, revealing the social foibles an…
Level C1ClassicsAn odd coupleIn a quiet drawing-room, a steady yet shocking proposal of separation disrupts a long marriage marked by deep, unyielding differences.
Level B2ClassicsAn interrupted nightA young girl idolizes her enchanting Auntie Belle, whose radiant presence transforms their home and whose secret life as a beloved author captivates a growing circle of admirers.
Level C1ClassicsAn idyl of the Wabash, and other storiesA young New England teacher ventures to a small Indiana town, confronting its unfamiliar customs, rugged landscape, and quaint inhabitants with a mix of humor and cultural clash.
Level C1ClassicsAn ideal husbandIn the glittering world of London high society, charming conversations mask underlying secrets and idle lives, as the Chiltern family navigates the delicate balance between appeara…
Level B2ClassicsAn eye for an eyeIn gritty Chicago, switchman Hank Clery faces a tense visit to the county jail, summoned by a dying friend's urgent message.
Level C1ClassicsAn episode in the doings of the dualizedIn a family rich in culture but poor in money, Ethelbert Daksha navigates the clash between lofty ideals and the harsh realities of society's obsession with wealth.
Level C1ClassicsAn apology for idlers, and other essaysIn a society obsessed with relentless industry, a thoughtful voice champions the overlooked value of idleness—not as laziness, but as a vital form of learning and reflection beyond…
Level C1ClassicsAn anthology of German literatureJourney through the rich tapestry of German literature, exploring medieval poetry and key works in their original or modernized forms, accompanied by insightful notes that illumina…
Level C1ClassicsAn altruistIn the heart of London society, Wilfrid Bertram passionately champions altruism and duty, challenging the selfish norms of his peers.
Level C1ClassicsAn account of the giants lately discoveredA daring captain discovers a hidden tribe of towering giants along the Patagonian coast, sparking a mysterious encounter filled with silence, strange gestures, and an unspoken invi…
Level C1ClassicsAn Unsocial SocialistIn an old English country-house, a strict teacher confronts a group of rebellious young women whose daring antics challenge the rules and reveal the tensions beneath their discipli…
Level C1ClassicsAn Unpardonable LiarIn a cozy gathering, a mysterious chant from outside disrupts a lively performance, stirring eerie memories and hidden tensions among the guests.
Level C1ClassicsAn Outcast; Or, Virtue and FaithIn a Charleston gripped by fear and disease, society retreats while the city’s darkest vices simmer beneath the surface.
Level C1ClassicsAn Outcast of the IslandsA worn-out European drifts through a shadowy tropical settlement, shunned and mysterious, carrying the heavy burden of a past betrayal that haunts both him and those around him.
Level C1ClassicsAn Orkney MaidAmid the rugged Orkney Islands, a community shaped by Viking heritage and shifting sovereignties faces the challenges of progress and peril.
Level C1ClassicsAn Open-Eyed Conspiracy; An Idyl of SaratogaIn the sultry shade of Saratoga’s parks, an observant traveler notices a striking young woman whose beauty masks complex relationships and hidden tensions.
Level C1ClassicsAn Old Woman's Tale: (From: "The Doliver Romance and Other Pieces: Tales and Sketches")In a sleepy Connecticut village where time seems to pause, a young couple from fading fortunes contemplates love beneath ancient elms, while an old woman’s tales blur the line betw…
Level B2ClassicsAn Old Story of My Farming Days Vol. 3 (of 3).: (Ut Mine Stromtid)In a quiet town where farming life intertwines with personal hopes, Louisa anxiously awaits her father's return after Christmas, fearing his restlessness in a new, inactive world.
Level C1ClassicsAn Old Story of My Farming Days Vol. 2 (of 3).: (Ut Mine Stromtid)In a quaint village, young lovers navigate social divides and festive preparations, while a quirky friend crafts a homemade flag to honor a returning lieutenant—unfolding a charmin…
Level C1ClassicsAn Old Story of My Farming Days Vol. 1 (of 3).: (Ut Mine Stromtid)In struggling Mecklenburg, a tenant farmer faces bankruptcy and the auction of his life's work, reflecting a time of hardship, resilience, and the stark realities of rural poverty…
Level B2ClassicsAn Old Chester SecretIn Old Chester, Miss Lydia's sudden disappearance sparks curiosity and whispers as a secret consumes her life.
Level C1ClassicsAn Obscure Apostle: A Dramatic StoryIn a society trapped in ancient customs and deep divisions, a hidden world unfolds where education and brotherhood struggle against ignorance and prejudice.
Level C1ClassicsAn Isle of Surrey: A NovelIn the quiet dusk by South London's canal, a group of men gossip about the mysterious new occupant of Crawford's House, stirring curiosity and suspicion in this gritty tale of secr…
Level C1ClassicsAn Isle in the WaterA widower’s new wife rules the island with children and charm, erasing the memory of his first, deceased wife—except for a faithful dog and eerie whispers of a ghost haunting the q…