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 daft daysOn a frosty New Year’s morning, a cheerful, quirky bell stirs a sleepy town into waking merriment, setting the stage for lively characters and unexpected joys amid the festive, sno…
Level C1ClassicsThe cynic's breviary: Maxims and anecdotes from Nicolas de ChamfortDive into a sharp, witty collection of maxims and anecdotes that reveal the cynical yet insightful mind of a man who navigated the dazzling and turbulent society of 18th-century Fr…
Level C1ClassicsThe curse of goldIn the grim confines of a pauper’s hospital ward, two young women lie on the edge between life and death, bound by hardship and secrets.
Level C1ClassicsThe cup; and The falconIn a Galatian city under Roman rule, a sacred cup stirs devotion and destiny amidst priestesses and warriors, while in an Italian cottage, sharp wit and simmering emotions unfold a…
Level C1ClassicsThe cruise of the NonaEmbark on a reflective voyage from Holyhead to the Wash, where sea adventures blend with sharp observations on life, letters, and human nature.
Level C1ClassicsThe cost of wings, and other storiesA celebrated aviator’s thrilling conquests in the skies contrast sharply with the silent anguish of his wife, whose patience and love are tested by years of neglect and unfulfilled…
Level B2ClassicsThe convolvulus: a comedy in three actsIn a stylish New York parlor, family secrets and unexpected proposals unfold over afternoon tea, as Jack grapples with his absent father's mysterious disappearance and the eccentri…
Level C1ClassicsThe contrast, Volume 3 (of 3)A young woman from a quiet coastal town faces the overwhelming bustle and isolation of London society, struggling to find her place amid its dazzling yet indifferent crowds.
Level C1ClassicsThe contrast, Volume 2 (of 3)A seasoned politician turned sixty reluctantly steps into the role of a provincial justice of the peace, navigating the absurdities and rituals of lawmaking he once helped create.
Level C1ClassicsThe contrast, Volume 1 (of 3)In a turbulent era marked by war and political intrigue, a shrewd heir balances ambition and leisure amidst the picturesque backdrop of Hornscliff Abbey.
Level C1ClassicsThe conquest of RomeA restless deputy journeys through the night toward Rome, clutching a precious medal that symbolizes his hard-won political triumph.
Level C1ClassicsThe congressman's wife, a story of American politicsIn the heart of Washington’s political whirl, a Congressman and his wife navigate the social demands and personal sacrifices behind public life.
Level C1ClassicsThe coming of peace (A family catastrophe)On a snowy Christmas Eve in a remote Brandenburg country house, the Scholz family prepares for a holiday gathering that reveals deep social tensions and personal struggles, blendin…
Level C1ClassicsThe comingA vicar in a tranquil English village wrestles with faith and doubt amid the shadow of war, haunted by his son’s heroic exploits in the skies and the sea.
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of William Hazlitt, Vol. 12 (of 12)Dive into vivid essays that blend sharp wit and keen observation, from thrilling fight nights to reflections on courage and friendship, capturing the lively spirit and complexities…
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of William Hazlitt, Vol. 10 (of 12)Explore the origins of storytelling as ancient bards transform historical exploits into richly embellished tales, blending fact with myth and supernatural drama to captivate audien…
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of William Hazlitt, Vol. 09 (of 12)Explore England’s finest picture galleries through vivid sketches that capture the soul of art, revealing the timeless beauty and profound impact of masterpieces by Raphael, Titian…
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of William Hazlitt, Vol. 08 (of 12)Explore the delicate balance between laughter and tears as human emotions respond to life's absurdities and tragedies.
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of William Hazlitt, Vol. 07 (of 12)Explore sharp, candid essays dissecting the prose styles of poets and critics alike, revealing how rhythm, voice, and expression shape the art of writing and influence literary suc…
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of William Hazlitt, Vol. 06 (of 12)Explore original essays that delve into the pleasures of painting and the subtleties of human nature, capturing moments of quiet reflection and the pursuit of understanding through…
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of William Hazlitt, Vol. 03 (of 12)A passionate letter challenges false patriotism and questions the motives behind war and government actions, urging true love of country grounded in liberty and justice.
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of William Hazlitt, Vol. 02 (of 12)Dive into the vivid memoirs of Thomas Holcroft, tracing his early childhood in London through striking personal anecdotes and reflections, as he battles adversity with remarkable d…
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of William Hazlitt, Vol. 01 (of 12)Dive into the fiery intellect and relentless spirit of a literary titan who challenges superstitions and champions revolutionary ideals, all while navigating the fierce cultural ba…
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of Henrik Ibsen, Vol. 11 (of 11)A father confronts the haunting consequences of his own flaws reflected in his fragile son, Eyolf, while a mysterious Rat-Wife stirs dark local legends.
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of Henrik Ibsen, Vol. 09 (of 11)Amidst political turmoil and bitter party divisions in 19th-century Norway, this volume explores the clash between aristocratic dignity and democratic upheaval, revealing the deep…
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of Henrik Ibsen, Vol. 08 (of 11)A passionate doctor uncovers a dangerous truth that pits him against his entire community, challenging the complacency and corruption of the majority.
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of Henrik Ibsen, Vol. 07 (of 11)In a society bound by rigid expectations, Nora challenges the confines of marriage and individuality after a secret act to save her husband’s life ignites a profound personal recko…
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of Henrik Ibsen, Vol. 06 (of 11)Amid political tensions and personal rivalries, a sharp new comedy unfolds, exposing the ambitions and hypocrisies of Norway's youth and Liberal party.
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of Henrik Ibsen, Vol. 04 (of 11)Dive into the life of Peer Gynt, a half-mythical Norwegian hero whose wild adventures and complex origins unfold against the backdrop of 19th-century Scandinavia, blending folklore…
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of Henrik Ibsen, Vol. 03 (of 11)A visionary Norwegian poet wrestles with national disgrace and exile, crafting a fiery drama that exposes the harsh realities of his homeland's struggles and the clash between hero…
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of Henrik Ibsen, Vol. 01 (of 11)Dive into the powerful dramas that shaped modern theater, exploring complex characters and societal challenges through carefully crafted translations that preserve the original's i…
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of Henrik Ibsen Vol. 10 (of 11)In a sharp exploration of human emotions and social constraints, a complex woman navigates her role as her father's daughter rather than her husband's wife.
Level C1ClassicsThe collected stories of Elisabeth Sanxay Holding from Munsey's Magazine, 1920-1928A devoted wife navigates the quirks and restless spirit of her brilliant but troubled husband on their tenth wedding anniversary, balancing love, patience, and silent longing in a…
Level B2ClassicsThe coast guardsmanAubrey Sears, a dedicated coast guardsman, faces suspicion and rivalry as he prepares to inherit the Number One surfman post amidst Cape Cod’s fierce smuggling battles.
Level B2ClassicsThe closed doorA stormy shipwreck reveals a tangled web of love and secrets between Captain Harry Owen, his unsuspecting wife, and the enigmatic Kitty Melrose.
Level C1ClassicsThe climbersIn a lavish Fifth Avenue drawing-room, a family navigates the aftermath of a grand event, revealing tensions beneath their polished facade.
Level C1ClassicsThe cinnamon heartIn a whimsical medieval realm ruled by King Nougat I, Princess Caramella’s suitors vie for her heart amid curious concoctions and brewing chaos.
Level C1ClassicsThe chronicles of Break o'DayIn a fertile Michigan territory, Major Ratke, a determined inventor and philosopher, struggles to manage his vast farm and eccentric projects amid unreliable help and looming finan…
Level B2ClassicsThe children of DickensStep into Dickens’s London, a bustling maze of narrow alleys, crowded streets, and lively riverfronts filled with colorful characters whose lives intertwine in unexpected ways, rev…
Level C1ClassicsThe chief Elizabethan dramatists, excluding ShakespeareExplore the vibrant world beyond Shakespeare through vivid plays that reveal the rich tapestry of Elizabethan drama, blending myth, romance, and wit to illuminate the era's theatri…
Level C1ClassicsThe changed bridesOn a fierce winter night, a determined bridegroom braves a raging storm and treacherous mountain roads to keep his wedding promise, while uncertainty looms over a grand marriage de…
Level C1ClassicsThe championIn a bustling newspaper office, a young printer’s devil dreams of becoming the fastest, most skilled compositor, while grappling with the harsh realities of his humble, ink-stained…
Level C1ClassicsThe cairnA heartfelt collection of reflections, memories, and shared wisdom, gathered like precious stones from many hands, exploring joy, sorrow, love, and the tender nuances of human expe…
Level C1ClassicsThe brother clerksTwo brothers arrive in bustling New Orleans, carrying hopes of reclaiming their lost home and future through hard work and courage.
Level C1ClassicsThe book of Scottish storyDive into vivid Scottish tales that capture the spirit and social life of a bygone era, from the homespun humor of Patie Crichton, the henpecked bicker-maker, to stirring stories t…
Level C1ClassicsThe book of Saint NicholasDiscover the charming tales and traditions of St.
Level C1ClassicsThe blacker the berryEmma Lou, the only dark-skinned student in a predominantly white school, struggles with the painful reality of colorism as she faces society's harsh judgments.
Level B2ClassicsThe black spaniel, and other storiesIn the vibrant setting of Rome’s Grand Hotel, two very different men—an ailing London doctor and a cultured traveler—are introduced, sparking a tense clash of beliefs about humanit…