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 Boy I Knew and Four DogsA coming-of-age story unfolds through the eyes of a boy shaped by a loving, selfless mother and a scholarly, multilingual father.
Level C1ClassicsA Book o' Nine Tales.A wounded stranger, washed ashore and lost to memory, awakens under the care of a curious young woman who becomes captivated by his mysterious past and delirious ravings.
Level C1ClassicsA Book for the HammockJourney into the heart of the sea’s fading romance, where steam-powered vessels roar past and ancient maritime mysteries slip beneath waves.
Level C1ClassicsA Book About MyselfA young man in 1890 Chicago dreams of capturing the vibrant life of a city bursting with ambition and change.
Level C1ClassicsA Bold Stroke for a Husband: A Comedy in Five ActsIn Madrid, a daring wife disguises herself as a man to outwit jealousy and preserve her marriage, while a young maiden plots boldly to secure a husband, weaving humor and intrigue…
Level C1ClassicsA Blot in the 'ScutcheonIn a grand estate, tensions rise as the arrival of a wealthy suitor sets the stage for a tangled web of honor, love, and societal expectations among nobility and their retainers.
Level C1ClassicsA Blind Esperantist's Trip to Finland and Sweden, to Attend the Fourteenth International Esperanto CongressEmbark on a heartfelt journey with a blind Esperantist and fellow travelers as they sail to Finland and Sweden for the Fourteenth International Esperanto Congress, discovering new…
Level B2ClassicsA Black AdonisA young writer anxiously awaits a response from a top publishing firm, dreaming of fame and fortune as he faces the uncertainty of rejection and the fragile hopes tied to his roman…
Level C1ClassicsA Bit O' LoveIn a quiet village on Ascension Day, a gentle clergyman shares lessons of pure love and forgiveness with a group of curious girls, weaving music and faith into a tender exploration…
Level B2ClassicsA Bird of Passage, and Other StoriesA young woman arrives alone at a Swiss hotel, armed only with a knapsack and a piano tuning hammer, defying expectations as she tunes the out-of-tune piano with passionate skill.
Level C1ClassicsA Biography of Edmund SpenserExplore the enigmatic life of Edmund Spenser, a poet whose genius rivaled Chaucer's, yet whose biography is shrouded in mystery and scant records.
Level C1ClassicsA Bell's BiographyAn ancient French bell, forged from a captured cannon and blessed by bishops, tolls through the wilderness, marking moments of faith, conflict, and history between Native tribes, F…
Level C1ClassicsA Bed of RosesTwo women depart from India aboard a steamer, each carrying unspoken thoughts as the distant shore fades into shadow.
Level C1ClassicsA Beautiful PossibilityIn a lush West Indian villa, a cultured man wrestles with his daughter's uncertain future far from their New England roots, navigating family ties and the clash of tropical freedom…
Level C1ClassicsA Beautiful AlienOn a cold ocean steamer home from Europe, an artist notices a strikingly beautiful and silent young couple whose mysterious connection and unspoken sorrow draw him into a quiet, po…
Level C1ClassicsA Bayard From Bengal: Being some account of the Magnificent and Spanking Career of Chunder Bindabun Bhosh,...A spirited account unfolds of Chunder Bindabun Bhosh, a vibrant young Indian navigating British society with wit and eloquence, challenging stereotypes and revealing the quirks of…
Level C1ClassicsA Battle of the Books, recorded by an unknown writer for the use of authors and publishers: To the first for doctrine, to the second for reproof, to both for correction and for instruction in righteousnessAmidst a turbulent era when authors and publishers clashed, a mysterious manuscript surfaces, revealing a fierce literary battle shaped by gender, power, and the struggle for creat…
Level C1ClassicsA Barren Title: A NovelIn a gritty London street, John Fildew, a once-handsome man now marked by time and shabby gentility, navigates his constrained existence with quiet pride and sardonic humor, reveal…
Level C1Classics1900; or, The last PresidentAs New York reels from a shocking presidential election outcome, mobs of outraged citizens rise in violent revolt against the wealthy elite.
Level C1Classics1851; Or, The adventures of Mr. and Mrs. Sandboys and family, who came up to London to enjoy themselves, and to see the Great Exhibition.As the Great Exhibition draws visitors from every corner of the globe, London transforms into a bustling spectacle of cultures, curiosities, and grand preparations, promising an un…
Level C1Classics'way down in Lonesome Cove: 1895In the isolated Lonesome Cove, a county ranger faces a late-night crisis as a forest fire threatens the mountain wilderness.
Level C1Classics'Twixt Land & Sea: TalesA captain arrives at a tropical island known as the "Pearl of the Ocean," hopeful for a prosperous sugar cargo after a long sea voyage.
Level C1Classics'Lena RiversAmid a fierce New England storm, the quiet village of Oakland awakens to secrets hidden behind closed doors, where a pale young woman lies mysteriously ill—and married—sparking cur…
Level B2Classics'Charge It': Keeping Up With HarryA whirlwind tale of Harry Swift, a man who races through life with reckless speed, charging everything on credit while chasing endless social engagements and daring adventures.
Level B2Classics"The land of the sky"A family debates a summer journey into the wild, elevated mountains of Western North Carolina, seeking fresh air and breathtaking scenery far from fashionable resorts.
Level C1Classics"The Liberry"In a small town, an eccentric old gentleman cherishes his modest but growing library, treating each worn book like a treasured patient and sharing its wisdom aloud with those who s…
Level C1Classics"The Debatable Land": A NovelIn a rugged New England town where ancestral fields yield little, a spirited young girl named Nellie challenges tradition and carves her own path amid whispers of legends and unset…
Level C1Classics"Swingin round the cirkle"A sharp-witted satirical voice navigates the turbulent aftermath of the Civil War, exposing political loyalties and struggles through the eyes of a displaced Democratic pastor.
Level C1Classics"Swat the Fly!": A One-Act FantasyIn a shadowy garden behind a laboratory, a determined inspector confronts a doctor accused of cruel animal experiments, while a curious boy secretly cares for the creatures.
Level C1Classics"Surly Tim": A Lancashire StoryIn a Lancashire factory, a young manager seeks to unravel the mystery behind "Surly Tim," a misunderstood and solitary worker whose gruff exterior hides acts of quiet kindness and…
Level C1Classics"Speaking of Operations--"After a mysterious, drifting pain leads him to the surgeon’s office, the narrator explores the strange, shared experience of undergoing an operation—revealing how this personal ord…
Level C1Classics"Short Sixes": Stories to be Read While the Candle BurnsIn a cozy New York room, two young women hold a secret ritual worshipping the portrait of a famed French tenor, embodying the restless yearning of youth to idolize and find meaning…
Level C1Classics"Seth"A weary young English miner arrives at a remote Tennessee coal town, hoping to find work and shelter through a connection with a company owner.
Level C1Classics"Our Street"A vivid portrait of a street caught between old country charm and rapid urban transformation reveals the quirky characters and spirited conflicts within its fading and rising neigh…
Level B2Classics"Old Harmless"In a remote mountain gulch, Old Harmless clings to his cabin and dreams of a hidden gold ledge, finding solace in the steadfast companionship of trees and his loyal partners, David…
Level B2Classics"O Thou, My Austria!"In a tranquil Austrian country-seat, a proud major wrestles with his past and present, from a misappropriated manuscript to lingering echoes of defeat and domestic tensions, weavin…
Classics"My Novel" — CompleteIn a winter night’s gathering, intellectual debates and family moments intertwine as Mr.
Level C1Classics"Moo-oo-oo-oo!"A city traffic officer’s dull routine brightens each day with the brief, enchanting visits of a mysterious woman in a silky roadster, stirring dreams of love and longing amid the c…
Level B2Classics"Impromptu"; or, How to Think on Your FeetLearn to think and speak spontaneously with practical exercises designed to boost mental agility, confidence, and eloquence.
Level C1Classics"Good-Morning, Rosamond!"In a genteel village where tradition reigns, Rosamond Mearely, a proud widow, navigates the strict rules of decorum and the unyielding scrutiny of her household staff.
Level B2Classics"Fin Tireur": 1905Stranded in a Sahara sandstorm, a lone French innkeeper known as "Fin Tireur" reveals a haunting past and a fierce bond with the desert where his daughter lies buried—offering a ta…
Level C1Classics"Everyman," with other interludes, including eight miracle playsMedieval English towns come alive through vibrant pageants and miracle plays, blending biblical tales with the daily lives of craftsmen and townsfolk.
Level B2Classics"Erb"In a vibrant Southwark Park gathering, a young railway worker rises to address fellow laborers with candid questions and bold truths about their hopes and struggles, challenging bo…
Level C1Classics"Der Tag"; or, The Tragic ManAn Emperor contemplates signing a declaration that will plunge his nation into war, revealing the tense alliances and fragile honor that bind Europe on the brink of conflict.
Level C1Classics"Clear the Track!" A Story of To-dayAmidst the vibrant spring festival on the Riviera, a group of foreigners witness lavish floral celebrations and the captivating presence of the Wildenrods, where charm, rivalry, an…
Level C1Classics"Chinkie's Flat": 1904A remote Queensland mining camp thrives amid harsh sun and scarce water, where a famed gold-crushing battery fuels a frenzied rush of prospectors.
Level C1Classics"Browne's Folly": (From: "The Doliver Romance and Other Pieces: Tales and Sketches")On a hill known as Brown's Folly, the ruins of a grand, ill-fated mansion hold stories of a Royalist exile and eerie family legends, inviting a journey into the layered history and…
Level B2Classics"As Gold in the Furnace" : A College StoryAt St.