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 C1ClassicsA Vendetta of the DesertIn the shadow of a chilling family curse, Tyardt van der Walt faces a haunting howl that signals death and threatens his inheritance, as eerie events unfold under the Cape’s dark s…
Level B2ClassicsA Vanished HandElsie Kilner, cast out from her ancestral home by her brother’s scheming and his wife’s cruelty, fights a silent battle of sorrow and resilience in a humble London room, haunted by…
Level C1ClassicsA Valiant Ignorance; vol. 3 of 3: A Novel in Three VolumesMarston Loring returns from Africa with a secretive new ally, Alfred Ramsay, to orchestrate a risky financial scheme involving the dubious Welcome Diamond Mining Company.
Level C1ClassicsA Valiant Ignorance; vol. 2 of 3: A Novel in Three VolumesAmidst the shifting moods of autumn society, Julian returns home changed—more independent, yet distant—stirring subtle tensions with his mother, Mrs.
Level C1ClassicsA Valiant Ignorance; vol. 1 of 3: A Novel in Three VolumesIn the vibrant, sunlit atmosphere of a Nice hotel on the eve of carnival, a poised and enigmatic woman named Mrs.
Level C1ClassicsA Twofold LifeTorn between passion and conscience, a young man and a captivating Parisienne grapple with a love that threatens to destroy their lives and reputations.
Level C1ClassicsA True Friend: A NovelTwo girls from starkly different worlds—a lowly music governess and a wealthy heiress—form a deep, unlikely friendship that challenges social expectations and school hierarchies, r…
Level C1ClassicsA Trip to Scarborough; and, The CriticAmidst the changing fashions and follies of 18th-century England, a penniless Tom Fashion arrives in Scarborough, scheming to secure his future through wit, charm, and an uneasy al…
Level C1ClassicsA Traveler from Altruria: RomanceAn enigmatic traveler from Altruria arrives in America, his calm demeanor and curious perspective challenging the hectic, anxious world around him.
Level C1ClassicsA Transient Guest, and Other EpisodesA young Wall Street heir finds himself a guest of the Dutch consul in exotic Sumatra, where the sultry landscape and enigmatic locals hint at hidden motives beneath the colonial ve…
Level C1ClassicsA Tramp's Wallet: stored by an English goldsmith during his wanderings in Germany and FranceAn English goldsmith sets out on a wanderlust-fueled journey through Germany and France, earning his way and documenting the lives, customs, and struggles of the working class he e…
Level C1ClassicsA Tramp's NotebookA man battles starvation and isolation in the harsh streets of 1885 San Francisco, confronting the brutal realities of survival and society’s indifference.
Level C1ClassicsA Tramp AbroadEmbark on a vivid journey through Europe's landscapes, culture, and quirks, narrated with wit and illustrated by unforgettable scenes and characters.
Level C1ClassicsA Tragic IdylIn the dazzling chaos of Monte Carlo's casino during Carnival, a diverse crowd—royalty, artists, gamblers, and desperate souls—collide amid luxury and vice.
Level C1ClassicsA Touch of Sun, and Other StoriesIn the sweltering heat of a California mining town, a woman returns unexpectedly to confront the challenges of life and love amid the relentless demands of the Asgard Company's iso…
Level C1ClassicsA Tiger's Skin: The Lady of the Barge and Others, Part 8.A quaint village buzzes with excitement and fear when a circus tiger escapes, sparking wild tales and frantic attempts to protect the townsfolk.
Level C1ClassicsA Thoughtless YesExplore a series of provocative stories that challenge social, religious, and economic norms, urging readers to question the unquestioned and reject complacency toward injustice an…
Level C1ClassicsA Tender Attachment: A FarceIn a quiet country house known as "Bachelors’ Paradise," a devoted father seeks his runaway son rumored to have formed a mysterious "tender attachment," only to find a quirky mix o…
Level C1ClassicsA Temporary Dead-Lock: 1891A devoted rector embarks on a much-needed European journey, leaving his family behind as they prepare for summer apart.
Level C1ClassicsA Tar-Heel BaronA foreign baron embraces the rugged life of a North Carolina farmer, winning hearts with his charm and humility despite harsh hardships.
Level C1ClassicsA Tangled TaleTwo travelers descend a mountain at a measured pace, sparking a puzzling challenge of time, distance, and speed that twists into a series of mathematical riddles woven through adve…
Level C1ClassicsA Tale of a TubDive into a witty and satirical exploration of literary culture and human nature through a series of digressions, dedications, and tales that challenge the conventions of writing a…
Level C1ClassicsA Tale of a Lonely ParishA weary country vicar struggles with the dull routine of tutoring and parish duties while reflecting on a life of sacrificed ambitions and modest success.
Level B2ClassicsA Tale of Brittany (Mon frère Yves)A sailor’s pay-book reveals a life shaped by the endless sea, from youthful voyages and hard-earned wages to turbulent loves and wild excesses.
Level C1ClassicsA Summer Evening's Dream: 1898In a tranquil village shaded by ancient elms, two young women while away a languid summer afternoon, pondering the curious, decades-long companionship between a solitary lawyer and…
Level C1ClassicsA Study of ShakespeareEmbark on a voyage through the vast, uncharted seas of Shakespeare’s works, exploring the evolution of his style and the mysteries beneath his poetic craft, guided by a keen ear ra…
Level C1ClassicsA Study of HawthorneDelve into a vivid portrait of Hawthorne that explores his roots in New England's stern Puritan past and traces how his unique genius blossomed from centuries of history, revealing…
Level C1ClassicsA Study In ShadowsA young Englishwoman confronts the bleak isolation of a winter at Pension Boccard, where six enigmatic women share lives marked by loneliness and guarded secrets.
Level C1ClassicsA Struggle For LifeAn enigmatic man with a face both young and old stirs curiosity on Boston Common, hinting at a past filled with loss and mystery.
Level C1ClassicsA String of Amber BeadsA young woman’s innocent flirtation sparks a harsh reckoning with society’s unforgiving judgment, exploring the fragile line between reputation and ruin.
Level C1ClassicsA Street of Paris and Its InhabitantIn a neglected Paris street shadowed by the Catacombs, an eccentric, absent-minded scientist with a distinctive appearance emerges from a mysterious garden door, inviting readers t…
Level C1ClassicsA Strange World: A Novel. Volume 2 (of 3)In a secluded manor steeped in sorrow, a stranger uncovers the haunting legacy of the late young Squire, whose portrait and memory evoke mystery and melancholy amidst the rugged Co…
Level C1ClassicsA Strange World: A Novel. Volume 1 (of 3)In a fading city near a grand cathedral, a weary young woman and her aging actor father grapple with dreams and harsh realities of the theatrical world, revealing the bitter strugg…
Level C1ClassicsA Start in LifeIn a rapidly changing Paris where old stagecoaches face fierce competition from new transport ventures, a family business fights to maintain its monopoly on key routes.
Level C1ClassicsA Sportsman's Sketches: Works of Ivan Turgenev, Volume IExplore the contrasting lives of Russian peasants through vivid encounters with eccentric locals, rustic homesteads, and the wild countryside, as a passionate sportsman journeys de…
Level C1ClassicsA Sportsman's Sketches, Volume 2: Works of Ivan Turgenev, Volume 2Step into the serene Russian countryside where Tatyana Borissovna, a kind-hearted widow, welcomes young visitors into her peaceful home, offering warmth, wisdom, and quiet companio…
Level B2ClassicsA Spoil of Office: A Story of the Modern WestIn the vibrant heart of the American West, a humble young man named Bradley Talcott navigates the rugged landscape and lively Grange community, striving to achieve political succes…
Level C1ClassicsA Spinner in the SunAfter twenty-five years away, a woman returns to her long-abandoned, weathered home, haunted by memories and sorrow.
Level B2ClassicsA Speckled BirdA spirited young girl named Eglah struggles with her unwanted name and her place within a strict, sorrowful household marked by loss and tradition.
Level C1ClassicsA Sovereign RemedyTwo men with the same name and striking resemblance collide on a remote moor, sparking a curious partnership as they navigate identity, fate, and the wild landscape stretching towa…
Level C1ClassicsA Son of the StateIn the bustling streets of London, young Bobbie Lancaster navigates the colorful crowds and lively neighborhoods, caught between childhood mischief and serious matters as he become…
Level C1ClassicsA Son of the SoilIn a rain-soaked countryside where locals embrace the weather and rugged life, a worldly young visitor clashes with spirited Colin, a native boy whose resilience and connection to…
Level C1ClassicsA Son of the HillsIn the shadow of Lost Mountain, a forgotten community struggles with poverty, pride, and the legacy of a fading aristocracy.
Level C1ClassicsA Son of Mars, volume 1In a bustling military barracks, a mysterious woman claims a boy raised by a humble family as her own, igniting secrets and tensions beneath the surface of everyday soldierly life.
Level B2ClassicsA Soldier's SonAfter the war ends, a wounded boy named Carol returns home to a loving family eager to welcome him, bringing hope and healing to a household shadowed by loss.
Level C1ClassicsA Society Clown: ReminiscencesStep behind the curtain with a society clown who shares witty, candid recollections of a life on and off the stage, blending humor, humility, and heartfelt moments to entertain and…
Level C1ClassicsA Small Boy and OthersA tender journey into childhood memories unfolds, capturing the vivid scenes, unique characters, and intimate family moments that shaped a young life.
Level C1ClassicsA Singular MetamorphosisIn an old mansion shadowed by secrets, Miss Fiske's curiosity grows as she senses a mystery behind the Tracys' guarded home and the unexplained warnings to avoid certain rooms, dra…