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.
- 6,942
- books
Level C1ClassicsThe Works of Aphra Behn, Volume IVIn a tangled web of mistaken identities and secret romances, a hypochondriac alderman’s jealousy clashes with his young wife’s clandestine lover, sparking comedic chaos among suito…
Level C1ClassicsThe Works of Aphra Behn, Volume IIIAmid tangled promises and disguises, Celinda and Bellmour’s forbidden love ignites fierce rivalry and scandalous duels, while the foppish Sir Timothy pursues courtship schemes fill…
Level C1ClassicsThe Works of Aphra Behn, Volume IIIn a kingdom rife with betrayal, the orphaned Moorish prince Abdelazer seeks revenge through cunning, poison, and deadly alliances, igniting a deadly power struggle filled with lus…
Level C1ClassicsThe Works of Aphra Behn, Volume IDive into the daring lives of banished cavaliers, tangled romances, and political intrigue, brought to life through spirited plays and stirring memoirs that reveal the mysteries su…
Level C1ClassicsThe Workingman's Paradise: An Australian Labour NovelIn the gritty heart of 1880s Sydney, Ned and Nellie navigate the harsh realities of working-class life amid rising union struggles and social unrest.
Level C1ClassicsThe Wooden HorseIn a grand, chilly drawing room, young Robin Trojan anxiously awaits a reunion with the father he hasn't seen since childhood, wrestling with family pride and the weight of long-ab…
Level C1ClassicsThe Wood Fire in No. 3In a cozy artist’s studio without a chimney, a clever solution brings the warmth of a blazing wood fire to life, sparking camaraderie and spirited tales among a circle of friends g…
Level C1ClassicsThe Wonderful YearA young English professor, newly arrived in Paris and dismissed from his teaching post, receives an unexpected invitation to dine in a modest Parisian restaurant.
Level C1ClassicsThe Wonder-Working MagicianA man awakened from a drunken sleep is treated like a prince, experiencing a day of lavish ceremony before being returned to his humble life—forcing him to question the boundary be…
Level C1ClassicsThe Women Who Make Our NovelsExplore the lives and works of leading American women novelists through candid profiles that reveal their creative processes, popularity, and the literary landscape they shape—offe…
Level C1ClassicsThe Woman-HatersAt Eastboro Twin-Lights, lighthouse keeper Seth Atkins navigates the sleepy coastal town’s fading fishing days and tangled relationships, where a neglected harbor and a mysterious…
Level C1ClassicsThe Woman with the FanIn a refined London drawing-room, a captivating soprano's voice stirs deep emotions and hidden tensions among a diverse group of listeners, revealing complex desires and rivalries…
Level C1ClassicsThe Woman Who DidIn a lush Surrey garden, a free-spirited woman defies societal conventions, challenging the boundaries of education, freedom, and womanhood in a world reluctant to embrace change.
Level C1ClassicsThe Woman Thou Gavest Me; Being the Story of Mary O'NeillBorn into hardship and unwanted, Mary O'Neill's life unfolds amid family struggle, fierce ambition, and the haunting shadows of her past.
Level C1ClassicsThe Woman Gives: A Story of RegenerationIn a bustling New York arcade where artists, immigrants, and drifters coexist, two mysterious events bind a disparate group of residents, setting the stage for intertwined lives ma…
Level C1ClassicsThe Woman & the PriestA young priest struggles with secret desires that clash with his sacred vows, while his worried mother battles unseen forces trying to pull him away from his faith in a windswept v…
Level B2ClassicsThe Wolves of God, and Other Fey StoriesA man returns to his remote Orkney island home after decades in the wild Canadian wilderness, haunted by memories of endless forests and seeking solace in familiar shores and famil…
Level C1ClassicsThe Wolves and the LambIn a richly appointed Richmond villa, tensions simmer between servants and the household, revealing sharp class divides and simmering resentments.
Level C1ClassicsThe Wizard's Son, Vol. 3 (of 3)A young lord wrestles with despair and the meaning of struggle as unexpected visitors arrive at his lonely ancestral home, challenging his resolve and stirring the embers of hope a…
Level C1ClassicsThe Wizard's Son, Vol. 2 (of 3)Two young souls find unexpected solace and escape on a dark, still loch, where quiet waters hide deeper struggles and whispered promises.
Level C1ClassicsThe Wizard's Son, Vol. 1 (of 3)In a quiet town, Walter Methven struggles with the weight of his mother’s sacrifices and his own lack of ambition, caught in a stifling family dynamic that challenges the hopes onc…
Level C1ClassicsThe Wizard's Daughter, and Other StoriesIn a sunlit California valley, a young scholar seeks health and respite, encountering colorful locals and curious visitors who challenge his views and stir the quiet mesa life.
Level C1ClassicsThe WitnessAt a lively college dormitory, Stephen Marshall’s steadfast innocence and faith ignite a fierce challenge from his peers, pushing him to confront their rough tests and prove the st…
Level C1ClassicsThe Witch, and Other StoriesAs a fierce snowstorm howls outside, the village sexton suspects his wife of witchcraft, blaming her for the chaos swirling beyond their church walls.
Level B2ClassicsThe Witch's HeadErnest, a proud boy orphaned and disinherited, arrives at his uncle’s home where secrets, family grudges, and mysterious wards await.
Level B2ClassicsThe Witch HypnotizerA solitary woman with an uncanny power to influence minds uses her gift to heal and uplift a troubled neighborhood, confronting the dark grip of addiction and despair with compassi…
Level C1ClassicsThe Wit of WomenExplore the overlooked brilliance of women's wit and humor through a lively collection of sharp epigrams, sparkling sentences, and candid reflections that challenge the myth of fem…
Level B2ClassicsThe Wit and Humor of America, Volume X (of X)Dive into a lively collection of American wit, humor, and maxims, featuring colorful characters, sharp observations, and vivid sketches of life’s quirks and adventures across the c…
Level B2ClassicsThe Wit and Humor of America, Volume VIII (of X)Step into a Southern plantation where tradition meets change, as a restless young woman named Miss Lady confronts the quiet tension brought by a mysterious railroad and unexpected…
Level B2ClassicsThe Wit and Humor of America, Volume VII. (of X.)A young reporter dives into the mysterious comings and goings at a high-end apartment, encountering a baffling tale of mistaken identity and secretive tenants.
Level B2ClassicsThe Wit and Humor of America, Volume VI. (of X.)Journey through the serene French countryside from Paris to the porcelain village of Sèvres, exploring royal palaces, historical figures, and quaint local customs with a touch of h…
Level C1ClassicsThe Wit and Humor of America, Volume III. (of X.)In a secluded New England village, a mysterious newlywed couple keeps to themselves, raising questions about their past and purpose in this idyllic yet enigmatic community.
Level C1ClassicsThe Wise and Ingenious Companion, French and English;: or, A Collection of the Wit of the Illustrious Persons, Both Ancient and ModernDelve into a curated collection of sharp sayings, witty repartees, and noble sentiments drawn from the ancients to modern times, exploring the fine art of true wit beyond mere word…
Level C1ClassicsThe Wisdom of FoolsA devoted parson and a spirited young woman navigate societal expectations and personal convictions as they prepare for marriage in a town where appearances and old-fashioned judgm…
Level C1ClassicsThe Wiradyuri and Other Languages of New South WalesExplore the rich linguistic landscape of New South Wales through the Wiradyuri language, revealing its unique grammar, dual forms, and connections to neighboring tongues, all docum…
Level C2ClassicsThe Winter's TaleA tale of intertwined kingdoms unfolds as the King of Sicilia plans a visit to Bohemia, rekindling childhood bonds and royal alliances.
Level C1ClassicsThe Wings of Icarus: Being the Life of one Emilia FletcherIn a strange land, Emilia Fletcher confronts the shadows of her family’s past and the weight of unexpected inheritance, weaving through old resentments and fragile new bonds as she…
Level B2ClassicsThe WinepressA devoted pastor and his thoughtful wife settle into their new home beside a stately church, where faith, service, and the mysteries of life intertwine in a community striving for…
Level C1ClassicsThe Wine-ghosts of BremenIn the mysterious city of Bremen, wine spirits stir and tales of the supernatural unfold, blending German humor with a haunting story about strong drink and the devil’s influence.
Level C1ClassicsThe Wind BlowethA boy’s fourteenth birthday leads him on a solitary adventure through a lush Irish glen, where ancient ruins and quiet graves whisper stories of a fading world.
Level B2ClassicsThe Wind Before the DawnUnder the relentless Kansas sun, a determined fourteen-year-old girl tends to her cattle while facing the prospect of her family’s land being sold and a life-changing move.
Level C1ClassicsThe Willing Horse: A NovelAmid post-war tensions, a determined Scottish landlord and radical, Tom Birnie, navigates local traditions, social upheaval, and personal convictions in a community resistant to ch…
Level C1ClassicsThe Wild Olive: A NovelA young fugitive races through the vast Adirondack wilderness, fleeing masked pursuers and the weight of a contested innocence.
Level C1ClassicsThe Wife, and Other StoriesA landowner receives a desperate letter about famine and disease devastating nearby peasants, forcing him to confront the harsh reality of rural suffering and his own impotence ami…
Level C1ClassicsThe Wife of his Youth and Other Stories of the Color Line, and Selected EssaysIn a society divided by color and class, a light-skinned African American man grapples with identity and belonging as he navigates the exclusive Blue Vein Society, confronting the…
Level C1ClassicsThe Wife of Sir Isaac HarmanA young woman arrives to view a charming country house, stepping into a world of genteel domestic life and subtle tensions.
Level C1ClassicsThe Widowing of Mrs. Holroyd: A Drama in Three ActsIn a gritty mining community, Mrs.
Level C1ClassicsThe Widow's Vow: A Farce, in Two ActsA widow retreats to a lonely castle, vowing to shun all men after a tragic love, but her resolve is tested by the arrival of a spirited new maid and the persistent attentions of he…