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 C1ClassicsThe hermit's ChristmasOn a remote mountain cave, a solitary hermit welcomes a weary Crusader and a ragtag band of strangers on Christmas Day, sharing a humble feast that challenges notions of hospitalit…
Level B2ClassicsThe hermit of Turkey HollowIn a remote shanty, a hermit and a tramp debate life, death, and the unseen worlds beyond, where ghosts and souls take wing like moths and butterflies.
Level C1ClassicsThe heritage of unrestIn a merciless desert, a worn cavalryman faces death and sacrifice amid a desperate mission to track the elusive chief Cochise.
Level B2ClassicsThe heel of AchillesA sharp-witted twelve-year-old girl, Lydia, navigates life as an orphan whose family values her more as a symbol of loss than for who she truly is, challenging the expectations pla…
Level B2ClassicsThe heart of Happy HollowIn a bustling Negro quarter, Robinson Asbury rises from bootblack to barber and lawyer, becoming a powerful community leader who defies expectations by staying true to his roots.
Level C1ClassicsThe haunts of menAmid the quiet farmland, a sudden flood of soldiers descends, transforming peaceful fields into a battleground on the brink of war.
Level C1ClassicsThe guests of HerculesA novice bids farewell to the convent garden that has shaped her entire youth, wrestling with fear and nostalgia as she steps into an uncertain future.
Level C1ClassicsThe green overcoatA shy, absent-minded psychologist attends a bustling party only to discover his cherished green overcoat has vanished, setting him on a curious journey through social awkwardness a…
Level C1ClassicsThe great Galeoto; Folly or saintliness: two plays done from the verse of José Echegaray into English prose by Hannah LynchA mathematician-turned-dramatist explores timeless human conflicts through powerful Spanish plays that challenge audiences to confront life's pressing moral dilemmas with intensity…
Level C1ClassicsThe gray wolf's daughterA young, unorthodox doctor is summoned to the enigmatic Cranstoun Chase estate to diagnose a mysterious patient, stepping into a world of old family secrets, eerie legends, and hig…
Level C1ClassicsThe gospel of freedomAn artist defies critics with his daring portrayal of a woman immersed in water, capturing the essence of light and life in a Paris studio.
Level C1ClassicsThe golden windmill, and other storiesStep into a collection where timeless human emotions unfold in modern settings—from fried-fish shops to public houses—each story crafted with the precision of a master artisan, pro…
Level C1ClassicsThe gold-stealersIn the struggling mining town of Waddy, a quirky, ramshackle schoolhouse becomes the heart of community life amid hardship and ingenuity.
Level C1ClassicsThe gold of OphirA young Chicago man, armed with education but little fortune, navigates love and social disparity when his wealthy beloved’s parents disapprove of their union due to his lack of we…
Level B2ClassicsThe girl with the green eyesIn a world of lavish weddings and hidden secrets, a young couple’s secret marriage and the burdens they carry threaten to unravel their lives.
Level C1ClassicsThe girl in the crowdIn a bustling New York apartment, Daisy Reynolds toils as a telephone operator, blending into the crowd yet privy to the city's intimate secrets through overheard conversations.
Level C1ClassicsThe girl from nowhereIn a bleak London lodging-house, a young man of refined background confronts despair and defeat, severing himself from hope and the struggle of life.
Level B2ClassicsThe girl at Silver ThistleIn the remote desert station of Silver Thistle, Nevada Buckley’s quiet life revolves around the comings and goings of trains, especially the mysterious "Special" that might hold un…
Level C1ClassicsThe gift of friendshipAmidst life's selfish chill, heartfelt connections ignite warmth and inspiration, transforming strangers into cherished friends.
Level C1ClassicsThe friends, and other storiesTwo friends, White and Mapleson, navigate the bustling London furnishing trade with a bond forged over endless drinks and shared lunches.
Level C1ClassicsThe frantic masterA man haunted by a lost love navigates a tangled social web, where intellect, beauty, and breeding collide beneath the surface of polite gatherings.
Level C1ClassicsThe framed fiftyIn Havana, Mike O'Donnell runs a bustling bar, proudly displaying the framed fifty-dollar bill that symbolizes his independence and success since fleeing Prohibition-era New York.
Level C1ClassicsThe forged coupon, and other storiesExplore the clash between materialism and spiritual power as a visionary grapples with faith, idealism, and the soul of the common people, revealing the enduring struggle for meani…
Level C1ClassicsThe folk of Furry FarmStep into the heart of an Irish village where folklore meets everyday life, capturing the vibrant spirit and rich traditions of rural Ireland through vivid prose that brings its pe…
Level C1ClassicsThe first violin: A novelIn a quiet spring afternoon, young May Wedderburn faces an unsettling visit from the distant yet imposing Miss Hallam, stirring a sense of loneliness and hidden troubles within the…
Level C1ClassicsThe first sopranoIn a stately church, a gifted soprano’s haunting anthem stirs the congregation, while a mysterious young stranger challenges their faith with a bold sermon on true worship beyond t…
Level B2ClassicsThe field of amber goldCaught in a fierce Dakota blizzard, John Grahame battles brutal cold and swirling snow to reach safety, only to discover a stranded stranger whose survival depends on a desperate g…
Level C1ClassicsThe feast at SolhougRival women vie for the love of a man falsely accused and hunted by royal agents, while misunderstandings and tragic twists unfold in a lyrical drama inspired by heroic ballads and…
Level C1ClassicsThe fatal marriageA young provincial officer and his loyal servant navigate the wild, untamed Maryland frontier, facing storms and solitude as they search for shelter in a vast, uninhabited wilderne…
Level C1ClassicsThe eleventh hour in the life of Julia Ward HoweAt eighty-seven, Julia Ward Howe embraces a vibrant final chapter filled with purposeful work, poetic creation, and unyielding vitality.
Level C1ClassicsThe easiest wayIn the dazzling chaos of Broadway's after-theatre nightlife, a woman with a tarnished past seeks redemption through a sincere love, only to confront harsh realities and societal sc…
Level C1ClassicsThe duelAmid the rigid drills and tense atmosphere of a Russian military garrison, young officers navigate camaraderie, discipline, and the strain of duty.
Level C1ClassicsThe dramatic instinct in childrenExplore how children’s vivid imagination and play become powerful tools for moral growth and joyful discovery, as parents guide them to bring dreams to life through dramatic expres…
Level C2ClassicsThe dragonA determined prince challenges tradition and love when he encounters a brilliant, independent woman who defies royal expectations.
Level C2ClassicsThe doctor, &c., vol. 5 (of 7)Dive into a contemplative journey where philosophy, patience, and the pursuit of truth intertwine with reflections on human nature and society.
Level C2ClassicsThe doctor, &c., vol. 4 (of 7)Dive into a rich tapestry of reflections, anecdotes, and philosophical musings that invite readers to explore life's diverse subjects with clarity and wit, guided by a voice both c…
Level C2ClassicsThe doctor, &c., vol. 3 (of 7)Journey through the intertwined life and reflections of a thoughtful doctor whose story unfolds alongside rich philosophical and societal insights, revealing the pursuit of true ha…
Level C2ClassicsThe doctor, &c., vol. 1 (of 7)Dive into a playful yet profound exploration of life's follies and wisdom, where wit and raw honesty intertwine to challenge and entertain.
Level C1ClassicsThe divine and moral songs of Isaac WattsDiscover the timeless hymns and moral songs crafted to teach children faith and wisdom through simple, heartfelt verses.
Level C1ClassicsThe diary of a superfluous man, and other storiesOn the brink of death, a weary man begins a candid diary, reflecting on his troubled upbringing, the stark contrasts between his virtuous mother and flawed father, and his own sens…
Level A2ClassicsThe diary of Delia : Being a veracious chronicle of the kitchen, with some side-lights on the parlourA sharp-witted kitchen maid navigates the harsh demands and petty cruelties of a wealthy household, revealing the struggles and small rebellions of those who serve behind closed do…
Level C1ClassicsThe despot of Broomsedge CoveIn the rugged wilderness of the Great Smoky Mountains, a young psalmist rides fiercely between faith and frontier life, his fervent spirituality clashing with the practical demands…
Level C1ClassicsThe deserted wifeIn a society where marriage is often entered into lightly and dissolved easily, a young bride faces abandonment, ill health, and social ruin, revealing the harsh realities behind d…
Level C1ClassicsThe demon ship, or The pirate of the MediterraneanA young soldier's unrequited love for Margaret Cameron leads him to India, only to return and discover a devastating loss that shatters his hopes and alters his destiny amid myster…
Level B2ClassicsThe day's journeyIn a tranquil English countryside, Rose Summers visits her cousin Cecily, now living quietly at the Priory with her husband Robert Kingslake, a struggling writer.
Level C1ClassicsThe daughter of JorioIn the rugged Abruzzi, ancient customs clash with forbidden love as a daughter defies tribal bounds, stirring passion and tragedy in a land where old blood and new desires collide.
Level C1ClassicsThe darkA weary terrorist on the brink of a critical assassination seeks refuge in a brothel, confronting his inner turmoil and unfamiliar desires as he prepares for a deadly mission that…
Level C1ClassicsThe dangerous inheritanceIn a fading artist’s studio, a young singer’s rare talent draws the attention of a powerful patron who offers a fortune to secure her future—on the condition she forsakes love and…