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 C1ClassicsAdela Cathcart, Volume 1On a foggy Christmas Eve train journey north from London, a solitary traveler shares a carriage with a mysterious clergyman whose unexpected depth and character challenge his preju…
Level C1ClassicsAde's FablesA young man’s dreams shift from circus performer to military hero to devoted family man, guided by the persistent and ever-changing force of Ambition.
Level C1ClassicsAddresses in America, 1919Celebrate the legacy of James Russell Lowell and explore the unifying power of the English language as a bridge between nations and cultures in the wake of a transformative era.
Level C1ClassicsAddisonStep into the refined world of eighteenth-century England where a reserved yet magnetic figure shapes society, literature, and public opinion with unmatched wit and virtue.
Level C1ClassicsActive ServiceIn a snow-covered campus, Marjory nervously reveals to her scholarly father her intention to marry Rufus Coleman, the controversial Sunday editor of the New York Eclipse, igniting…
Level B2ClassicsAcross the YearsA lively elderly couple craves more than traditional gifts this Christmas, dreaming of a sparkling tree, sweet treats, and a festive party before their children’s arrival—can they…
Level C1ClassicsAcross the StreamDelve into a world where childhood memories blur with mysterious spiritual questions, as a young boy’s earliest moments unfold alongside a provocative exploration of communication…
Level C1ClassicsAcross the Plains, with Other Memories and EssaysA weary emigrant navigates the chaos and harsh realities of a crowded train station, embarking on a perilous journey across the American plains.
Level C1ClassicsAcross the ChasmA strong-minded Southern beauty challenges the idle affections of a young man caught between tradition and ambition, as she navigates love, duty, and the fading grandeur of her fam…
Level C1ClassicsAccording to PlatoWhen Mr.
Level B2ClassicsAbsolutionIn a gloomy, neglected cellar, Mrs.
Level B2ClassicsAbsalom's HairAt sixty, Harald Kaas lives a rugged, solitary life surrounded by trophies of his wild exploits, drawing uneasy relatives into his untamed world.
Level B2ClassicsAbroad with the JimmiesAn adventurous group of friends reunites for a carefree journey through Europe, embracing spontaneity and unexpected discoveries.
Level C1ClassicsAbroad with Mark Twain and Eugene FieldJoin an American correspondent as he shares vivid tales and witty encounters with Mark Twain and Eugene Field during their European adventures, revealing the humor and humanity beh…
Level C1ClassicsAbracadabra & other satiresExplore the haunting journey of Minna, a fragile yet fierce spirit whose childhood shyness gives way to a life marked by passion, struggle, and mysterious transformation within the…
Level B2ClassicsAbner Daniel: A NovelIn a rural valley where timberland speculations stir family tensions, a young man grapples with his father's risky land deals and the growing worry that these investments might lea…
Level B2ClassicsAbington Abbey: A NovelA wealthy banker envisions a grand new chapter for his family with the acquisition of Abington Abbey, a sprawling estate steeped in history and promise.
Level B2ClassicsAbijah's BubbleIn a struggling village transformed by a determined mill-owner, Abijah “Abbie” Todd faces the hardships of life, from a stormy christening to teaching setbacks, as she navigates po…
Level C1ClassicsAbbé Aubain and MosaicsDelve into a world where scholarly precision meets intense human drama, as cold intellect uncovers fierce emotions beneath the surface.
Level C1ClassicsAbbotsford and Newstead AbbeyJourney to the rustic charm of Abbotsford, where a warm welcome from the “mighty minstrel of the north” leads to discoveries of ancient ruins and local lore, revealing a world rich…
Level C1ClassicsAbbeychurch; Or, Self-Control and Self-ConceitAs the consecration of their church approaches, Helen and her sisters navigate the tensions between duty, social expectations, and personal values, revealing the challenges of self…
Level C1ClassicsAbbe Mouret's TransgressionA young priest, recovering from fever, awakens in an enchanted garden where nature's laws and divine vows collide, igniting a profound inner struggle between spiritual duty and nat…
Level B2ClassicsAaron's RodOn Christmas Eve after the war, miner and union secretary Aaron Sisson returns home to his family amid tensions both underground and in his household, as he contends with the linge…
ClassicsABC of Fox HuntingDive into the timeless world of fox hunting with detailed guidance and insights into this traditional sport, revealing the skills and etiquette that define the chase.
Level C1ClassicsA. W. Kinglake: A Biographical and Literary StudyExplore the life and legacy of A.
Level C1ClassicsA waif's progressIn a childless home shadowed by past regrets, a troubled young woman named Bonnybell arrives, stirring quiet tensions and hidden desires.
Level C1ClassicsA voyage of discoveryA young Englishwoman embarks on a voyage to the United States, eager to unravel the complexities of American society through encounters with intriguing characters, including a shar…
Level C1ClassicsA trip to PlutopiaIn a starkly divided society called Plutopia, 49,500 workers endure strict control and minimal lives, while 500 elites enjoy opulence and power without government.
Level C1ClassicsA tight squeezeA gentleman wagers he can travel from New York to New Orleans in three weeks without money, living as a professional tramp.
Level C1ClassicsA story teller's storyJourney through the tender struggles and imaginative world of a young American boy whose family, though poor, finds romance and resilience in their everyday life and the art of sig…
Level C1ClassicsA story of the sawdust: The pathetic history of "Old Props'" darlingBorn and raised amid the dust and roar of the circus ring, Patty is a spirited young equestrienne whose dazzling performances captivate audiences, yet her world beyond the tent rem…
Level C1ClassicsA scarlet poppy, and other storiesA couple’s clash over a mere twenty-five-cent scarlet poppy ignites a deeper struggle about money, independence, and marital control, revealing the tensions beneath genteel society…
Level C1ClassicsA rolling stoneIn Edwardian London, the sharp-witted and independent Leila Wynyard faces the challenges of society as a penniless woman with no suitors.
Level C1ClassicsA reversion to typeIn a grand, timeworn estate, Dr.
Level B2ClassicsA pixy in petticoatsJohn Burrough's secret sanctuary by the river is invaded when a stray newspaper reveals his hidden retreat, threatening the peaceful solitude he cherishes amid Dartmoor's wild, lus…
Level C1ClassicsA municipal feudIn a sun-scorched desert town, two unlikely partners navigate a fierce municipal feud where rival cities fight to claim everything not nailed down, testing their uneasy alliance an…
Level C1ClassicsA motley jestOn a mysterious island, displaced characters from Shakespeare’s plays grapple with magic, mischief, and mistaken identities, weaving a whimsical fantasy where familiar voices echo…
Level C1ClassicsA moment of madness, and other stories (vol. 3 of 3)Trapped in a remote colonial outpost, a lonely woman battles untrustworthy servants and unsettling fears while confronting the arrival of a charming rival who may hold the key to h…
Level C1ClassicsA moment of madness, and other stories (vol. 2 of 3)In a lonely house haunted by a mysterious white shadow, a woman confronts chilling ghostly encounters and unsettling nightmares that blur the line between reality and the supernatu…
Level C1ClassicsA moment of madness, and other stories (vol. 1 of 3)A struggling gentleman burdened by a demanding family and meager income seeks a desperate escape from his crushing circumstances.
Level C1ClassicsA modern exodus: a novelIn a future England shadowed by rising anti-Semitism, a devout yet reform-minded Jewish politician navigates faith, identity, and societal pressures during the solemn Day of Atonem…
Level C1ClassicsA mirror of ShalottIn a Roman presbytery, seven priests and a layman gather to debate agnosticism, miracles, and supernatural phenomena, embarking on a series of captivating tales that challenge fait…
Level C1ClassicsA memoir of Miss Hannah AdamsAn introspective journey through a life shaped by frailty, solitude, and an insatiable thirst for knowledge, revealing the quiet struggles and triumphs of a woman who defied early…
Level C1ClassicsA man made of moneyA man trapped by debt struggles to maintain his dignity while his wife’s relentless demands for money reveal the sharp tensions beneath their domestic life.
Level B2ClassicsA long way from homeA young Jamaican poet in 1918 America balances menial railroad jobs with his burning desire to be recognized on the literary stage, navigating the chaos of wartime railroads and th…
Level C1ClassicsA little girl in tearsA restless clubman seeks thrills beyond his quiet life by venturing into a gritty East Side tenement, where a tearful young girl mistakes him for an undertaker—igniting an unexpect…
Level C1ClassicsA laugh a day keeps the doctor awayDive into a collection of witty, short humorous stories that capture the spirit of American storytelling, from clever anecdotes to timeless jokes shared across the nation.
Level C1ClassicsA haunted lifeIn the vibrant London season, two old friends reunite amid the grandeur of Hyde Park’s Coaching Club, as one returns from India on a secret mission tied to a widow named Ida.