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 black pearlA young Parisienne embarks on a daring journey to her uncle’s remote Australian station, carrying a mysterious black pearl that once belonged to a begum, linking her to a hidden an…
Level B2ClassicsThe black cat, vol. I, no. 6, March 1896A wealthy and enigmatic heiress known for her eccentric charm and mysterious rejections leaves behind a will that stirs society into a frenzy, promising unexpected fortunes to her…
Level B2ClassicsThe black cat, vol. I, no. 5, February 1896A New Yorker’s Parisian adventure takes a mysterious turn when a beautiful stranger slips him a cryptic French card, leading to unexpected evictions and a puzzling warning that thr…
Level B2ClassicsThe black cat, vol. I, no. 4, January 1896Beneath ancient Jerusalem lies a vast labyrinth of man-made caverns, holding secrets carved from Solomon’s time.
Level B2ClassicsThe black cat, vol. I, no. 1, October 1895In the lawless early days of a wild state, Bill Bowen recalls a deadly rivalry sparked by love, gambling, and gold, where honor, passion, and violence collide under the relentless…
Level C1ClassicsThe black borderExplore the haunting legacy of the transatlantic slave trade along Africa’s coast, tracing the origins and enduring influence of the resilient Gullah people and their unique dialec…
Level C1ClassicsThe birds of ShakespeareExplore the rich tapestry of Shakespeare’s poetry through his vivid bird imagery, revealing his deep knowledge and poetic use of nature’s songsters to illuminate human life and emo…
Level B2ClassicsThe big townA man and his wife, newly wealthy from an unexpected inheritance, move from a small Midwestern town to bustling New York City with hopes of finding a husband for his sister-in-law.
Level B2ClassicsThe best stories of Sarah Orne Jewett, Volume 2 (of 2)In a twilight forest, a solitary girl navigates the shadows with her elusive cow, encountering a mysterious hunter who disrupts her peaceful world.
Level C1ClassicsThe best stories of Sarah Orne Jewett, Volume 1 (of 2)Experience the gentle beauty and enduring spirit of New England through richly drawn characters and landscapes, where everyday moments unfold with the quiet grace of life itself, r…
Level C1ClassicsThe best short stories of 1925, and the yearbook of the American short storyDive into a vibrant collection capturing the pulse of 1925 America through short stories that explore its evolving identity, societal shifts, and the birth of new ideals amid the b…
Level C1ClassicsThe best short stories of 1922, and the yearbook of the American short storyDiscover a curated collection of American short stories from 1922, capturing the era's literary spirit and grappling with themes of cultural disintegration, artistic challenge, and…
Level C1ClassicsThe best short stories of 1920, and the yearbook of the American short storyDive into a curated collection capturing the art of American short storytelling, where each tale reflects the diverse tastes and evolving psychology of readers across popular magaz…
Level C1ClassicsThe best short stories of 1919, and the yearbook of the American short storyExplore a collection that delves into the American short story's struggle to capture the nation's true spirit, revealing a literature caught between materialism and idealism, and c…
Level C1ClassicsThe best short stories of 1918, and the yearbook of the American short storyExplore a curated collection of American short stories from 1918, revealing how the Great War shaped writers’ imaginations and sparked a new literary era marked by reflection, emot…
Level C1ClassicsThe best short stories of 1917, and the yearbook of the American short storyExplore a rich collection of American short stories from 1917, featuring diverse voices and captivating tales that capture the spirit and complexities of the era.
Level C1ClassicsThe best short stories of 1915, and the yearbook of the American short storyDive into a curated collection showcasing the finest American short stories of 1915, featuring diverse voices and styles that illuminate the era’s literary landscape and celebrate…
Level B2ClassicsThe beating heartA lively honeymoon party journeys through a moonlit wilderness, oblivious to the lurking dangers and quiet observer Miss Smith, whose poised demeanor hides a deep, unfulfilled year…
Level C1ClassicsThe barber's chair; and, The hedgehog lettersIn a lively barber’s shop, Mr.
Level B2ClassicsThe bar actWhen rodeo star Len Carter combines auto parts with his daring trick riding, the competition is stunned and on edge.
Level C1ClassicsThe banker and the bearIn a world where old banking traditions clash with new ambitions, young John Bagsbury struggles to prove himself beyond his father's conservative legacy, encountering sharp contras…
Level C1ClassicsThe art of fictionExplore the claim that fiction stands equal to painting, music, and poetry as a Fine Art, governed by laws yet requiring innate talent.
Level C1ClassicsThe aristocratsAmid the untamed wilderness of the Adirondacks, Lady Helen Pole navigates rugged landscapes and unexpected challenges while seeking solace and healing for her ailing husband in a r…
Level C1ClassicsThe angel of his presence; and Gabriel the AcadianA worldly traveler returns to America after years abroad, confident and refined but uncertain about reconnecting with his past and old acquaintances.
Level C1ClassicsThe adventures of a black coatA worn black coat reflects on its long life tied to power and politics, sharing its tales of human folly, virtue, and misfortune to guide a youthful white coat facing the unpredict…
Level C1ClassicsThe Zeit-GeistIn a small Canadian town transformed by nature and ambition, a schoolmaster encounters Bartholomew Toyner, a philanthropist whose unconventional religious views challenge the rigid…
Level B2ClassicsThe Youth of Parnassus, and Other StoriesAn American student arrives at Oxford from the burgeoning town of Parnassus City, Indiana, bringing fresh perspectives and cultural clashes to the ancient halls.
Level C1ClassicsThe Youth of GoetheTrace the formative years of a literary genius as he navigates early life in Frankfort, student days in Leipzig, and the vibrant influences shaping his character and art before set…
Level C1ClassicsThe Young Step-Mother; Or, A Chronicle of MistakesA spirited young woman becomes governess to a widowed clergyman’s children, navigating complex family dynamics and unspoken grief while striving to bring light to a household shado…
Level B2ClassicsThe Young Mountaineers: Short StoriesIn a rugged mountain ravine known as Old Daddy’s Window, eerie figures appear on sheer cliffs, stirring fear and mystery among the local families.
Level C1ClassicsThe Young Man and JournalismExplore the vital role of vocation in shaping a young man's life, focusing on journalism as a career that demands skill, judgment, and moral development while offering steady emplo…
Level C1ClassicsThe Yotsuya Kwaidan or O'Iwa Inari: Tales of the Tokugawa, Volume 1 (of 2)In a city mapped with ancient villages and steeped in tradition, unsettling ghost stories reveal the restless spirits and eerie customs of Tokugawa-era Japan.
Level C1ClassicsThe Yoke of the ThorahIn a gloomy 1882 New York, artist Elias Bacharach battles creative despair and finds unexpected fascination in a mysterious young girl at a costumer’s shop, setting the stage for a…
Level B2ClassicsThe Yellow Pearl: A Story of the East and the WestCaught between two worlds, a young woman of mixed American and Chinese heritage navigates cultural clashes and family tensions as she leaves the East behind for a new life in Ameri…
Level C1ClassicsThe Yellow Flag: A Novel. Volume 3 (of 3)In a quiet village where gossip flows as freely as tea, John Calverley seeks refuge with his young wife Alice, hoping to escape his past—but the curious neighbors have other plans,…
Level C1ClassicsThe Yellow Flag: A Novel. Volume 2 (of 3)A mysterious death reveals a man living under two names, entangling two women and their families in a web of secrets and heartbreak.
Level C1ClassicsThe Yellow Flag: A Novel. Volume 1 (of 3)A reluctant young man sets off for Ceylon with a generous financial backing, caught between family expectations and his own stubborn nature.
Level C1ClassicsThe Yellow ChiefOn a Mississippi cotton plantation, a young mulatto named Blue Dick faces brutal punishment ordered by the master's son, igniting a fierce conflict fueled by jealousy and power in…
Level C1ClassicsThe Writing of the Short StoryExplore the art of crafting compelling short stories through a detailed guide on narrative elements like incident, character, plot, and description, enriched with practical teachin…
Level C1ClassicsThe Worshipper of the ImageIn a twilight wood where silence sings and shadows hold secrets, a man named Antony worships a mysterious smiling image named Silencieux, while his wife Beatrice, who mirrors the s…
Level C1ClassicsThe World's Illusion, Volume 2 (of 2): RuthAmidst family tensions and whispered scandals, Wolfgang confronts rumors threatening his brother Christian’s reputation, while political and industrial powers maneuver behind close…
Level C1ClassicsThe World's Illusion, Volume 1 (of 2): EvaA worldly traveler from Moravia navigates a life of luxury, memory, and unexpected encounters, from high society to rural markets.
Level C1ClassicsThe World's Greatest Books — Volume 20 — Miscellaneous Literature and IndexStep into the vibrant social world of early 18th-century England, where witty essays and sharp observations illuminate daily life, manners, and culture in a groundbreaking periodic…
Level C1ClassicsThe World's Greatest Books — Volume 08 — FictionA young Scottish archer arrives at the French royal court during the reign of Louis XI, navigating intrigue and loyalty as he seeks to join the king's guard and reconnect with his…
Level C1ClassicsThe World's Greatest Books — Volume 07 — FictionFour philosophers, each with wildly different views on humanity’s fate, gather at Headlong Hall to debate life, progress, and the nature of man over hearty meals and sharp wit in t…
Level C1ClassicsThe World's Greatest Books — Volume 06 — FictionOn a dark winter night, a young woman named Maud faces mysterious threats and unsettling secrets surrounding her enigmatic Uncle Silas, her family's honor, and the sinister new gov…
Level C1ClassicsThe World's Greatest Books — Volume 05 — FictionIn a 19th-century English village, the promising young deacon Cyril Maitland faces a moral crisis as secrets and scandals threaten the lives and loves of those around him, setting…
Level C1ClassicsThe World's Greatest Books — Volume 04 — FictionAn Egyptian princess journeys to Babylon to marry the powerful King Cambyses, navigating palace intrigues, forbidden love, and political plots as she strives to secure her place an…