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 Story of a New York HouseIn 1807 New York, a steadfast merchant grapples with the city's rapid transformation—from rising fortunes and genteel ambitions to shifting social orders and the clash between old…
Level C1ClassicsThe Story of a HareIn the wild, mist-shrouded hills of Cornwall, a clever hare seeks the perfect sanctuary to raise her young amidst lurking predators.
Level C1ClassicsThe Story of a GovernessJanet Summerhayes faces the daunting challenge of becoming a governess, stepping out from the sheltered comfort of her aunt’s home into a world where kindness and neglect intertwin…
Level C1ClassicsThe Story of a GeniusA once-celebrated virtuoso returns from seclusion to conduct his controversial new oratorio, "Satan," stirring skepticism and intrigue among musicians and society alike.
Level C1ClassicsThe Story of a Country TownIn a fledgling prairie town, settlers seek new beginnings amid hardship and hope, weaving a tapestry of characters whose lives reflect the challenges and spirit of frontier life.
Level B2ClassicsThe Story of Waitstill BaxterNestled by the roaring Saco River, two quaint villages harbor tales of nature, industry, and spirited community life, where history flows as richly as the river itself.
Level C1ClassicsThe Story of Valentine and His BrotherAmid a fierce storm at Rosscraig House, a mother recounts the troubled tale of her son Richard, a man who defied convention by marrying a woman with no roots, a wanderer from the w…
Level B2ClassicsThe Story of My Life: Recollections and ReflectionsA celebrated actress reflects on a lifetime on stage, weaving memories, portraits, and personal insights into a vivid tapestry of a career spanning fifty years.
Level C2ClassicsThe Story of My Life — CompleteWitness the journey of a passionate scholar whose restless youth and health challenges lead him from turbulent student days to groundbreaking discoveries in Egyptology, weaving per…
Level C1ClassicsThe Story of Mary MacLaneA fiercely original and introspective nineteen-year-old woman confronts her intense loneliness and misunderstood genius in a stark self-portrayal that defies societal norms and exp…
Level C1ClassicsThe Story of KennettIn a tranquil Pennsylvania village in 1796, the residents gather at the old Barton farm for a rare event, where horsemen and townsfolk converge amid the first signs of spring, weav…
Level C1ClassicsThe Story of Charles Strange: A Novel. Vol. 1 (of 3)A young boy named Charles Strange navigates the fragile beauty and looming sorrow of his early childhood, as his delicate mother battles illness and imparts to him a bittersweet le…
Level C1ClassicsThe Story of Burnt Njal: The Great Icelandic Tribune, Jurist, and CounsellorIn a land of powerful chiefs and intricate alliances, Hrut navigates feuds and marriage negotiations that will shape his destiny and the fate of those around him.
Level C1ClassicsThe Story of Bessie CostrellIn a fading rural village, an aging laborer faces the end of an era as the farm he’s worked on for decades changes hands and loved ones pass away, while his spirited niece Bessie b…
Level B2ClassicsThe Story of BawnGrowing up at Aghadoe Abbey, Bawn Devereux navigates childhood adventures and shifting family dynamics, caught between tomboyish daring and the expectations of her noble heritage.
Level C1ClassicsThe Story of André CornélisHaunted by a tragic past and burdened with remorse, a man embarks on a personal confession, unraveling the mysterious death of his father and the sorrow that shapes his life.
Level C1ClassicsThe Storm-Cloud of the Nineteenth Century: Two Lectures delivered at the London Institution, February 4th and 11th, 1884Explore a detailed study of a peculiar storm-cloud phenomenon emerging in the 19th century, unknown to ancient and classical observers, revealing a shifting climate marked by prolo…
Level C1ClassicsThe StormIn a small Russian town untouched by modern ideas, Katerina struggles against the crushing weight of patriarchal tyranny and societal apathy, embodying a quiet revolt that reveals…
Level C1ClassicsThe Stolen Heiress; or, The Salamanca Doctor Outplotted. A ComedyA grieving father schemes to secure his daughter’s fortune through a cunning marriage plot, weaving deception and ambition amid London's high society.
Level C1ClassicsThe Stickit Minister's Wooing, and Other Galloway StoriesIn the rugged Galloway countryside, a hesitant minister faces the challenges of faith, love, and community in stirring tales that evoke the land’s deep history and haunting spirit.
Level C1ClassicsThe Stepmother, A Drama in Five ActsIn 1829 Normandy, a Napoleonic general’s family faces secrets and suspicions as his second wife’s intentions toward his daughter’s marriage stir tension within their chateau’s wall…
Level C1ClassicsThe Steel FleaAmidst a rivalry between Russian and English gunsmiths, a proud craftsman seeks to prove his homeland's superiority through an ingenious creation—a tiny mechanical marvel that hold…
Level C1ClassicsThe Station; The Party Fight And Funeral; The Lough Derg Pilgrim: Traits And Stories Of The Irish Peasantry, The Works of: William Carleton, Volume ThreeIn a rural Irish parish, the parish priest navigates the rhythms of peasant life, local disputes, and seasonal traditions, revealing a vivid tapestry of community ties, faith, and…
Level C1ClassicsThe Statesmen SnowboundWhen a group of Congressmen travel to rural Kentucky for a senator’s funeral, they encounter old family secrets, political intrigue, and unexpected tales that reveal the human side…
Level B2ClassicsThe Stark Munro Letters: Being series of twelve letters written by J. Stark Munro, M.B., to his friend and former fellow-student, Herbert Swanborough, of Lowell, Massachusetts, during the years 1881-1884A young medical graduate shares candid letters revealing the trials and triumphs faced at the start of his career, capturing the struggles, friendships, and inventive spirit that s…
Level C1ClassicsThe StarbucksIn the rugged hills of East Tennessee, Jasper Starbuck, a resilient war veteran haunted by loss, navigates life with humor and iron will, while the arrival of city visitors stirs c…
Level C1ClassicsThe Standard Household-Effect Company (from Literature and Life)In a world where modern comforts multiply household burdens, a sharp critique unfolds on the endless rituals of housekeeping and the toll they take on the "eternal-womanly.
Level C1ClassicsThe Squire: An Original Comedy in Three ActsIn a decayed Elizabethan mansion, a dark-skinned outsider and his sister navigate suspicion and secrets as mysterious keys and a sick lady's arrival hint at hidden intrigues beneat…
Level C1ClassicsThe Squire's Daughter: Being the First Book in the Chronicles of the ClintonsAt a lavish Court Ball, Cicely Clinton, a country squire’s daughter, steps into high society for the first time, navigating the dazzling world of royalty, jewels, and grand expecta…
Level C1ClassicsThe Squatter's Dream: A Story of Australian LifeA young squatter thrives on his Australian cattle station, balancing hard work, wild adventures, and refined pleasures—from mustering cattle to lively races and dances in the count…
Level C1ClassicsThe Spring SongA sensitive boy named Griffith Weston embarks on a summer journey to his grandpapa’s, caught between childhood innocence and the watchful care of his guardian.
Level C1ClassicsThe Spread Eagle and Other StoriesA young American boy raised amid European high society rebels quietly against his polished upbringing, clinging to his true identity on the Fourth of July.
Level C1ClassicsThe Sport of the GodsIn a post-slavery Southern town, the Hamilton family navigates newfound freedom and rising fortunes while facing societal challenges and personal ambitions.
Level C1ClassicsThe Spoilt Child: A Tale of Hindu Domestic LifeA sharp-witted satire explores the challenges of domestic life in a traditional Hindu household, revealing the clash between old customs and emerging modern values through the tale…
Level C1ClassicsThe Spoils of PoyntonAmid the oppressive ugliness of Waterbath, two women—each craving escape—find an unexpected bond that reveals the quiet desperation lurking beneath genteel appearances and the shar…
Level B2ClassicsThe Spoilers of the ValleyUnder a starry sky in a peaceful valley, a young woman’s quiet night turns tense when a desperate, hunted man seeks refuge in her home, forcing her to risk everything to hide him f…
Level C1ClassicsThe Splendid FairingIn a mist-shrouded town, the weary Thornthwaites struggle against a relentless tide of misfortune on their isolated marsh farm, Sandholes.
Level B2ClassicsThe Spirit of SweetwaterA young man, newly wealthy from a lucrative mine, returns to the lively village of Sweetwater Springs seeking connection and perhaps love among its spirited visitors.
Level C1ClassicsThe Spirit of Place, and Other EssaysExplore the elusive "spirit of place" through reflections on bells, local sounds, and the subtle essence that makes each location uniquely memorable.
Level B2ClassicsThe Spinster: 1905At Inley Abbey, a tolling church bell signals more than just death—it's the eerie prelude to a mystery entwined with Miss Sarah Bassett, the dry, unemotional spinster whose quiet p…
Level C1ClassicsThe Spinners' Book of FictionIn a city scarred by fire and turmoil, Sister Teresa wrestles with her faith, beauty, and a haunting past as she navigates the harsh realities of San Francisco’s streets and the sa…
Level B2ClassicsThe Spider, and Other TalesIn a hedge once lush with trees, a clever spider arrives, challenging the wild plants’ illusions and revealing sharp truths about independence and survival in a world where appeara…
Level C2ClassicsThe Spenders: A Tale of the Third GenerationAmid the rugged promise of the American West, three generations of the Bines family struggle to define their legacy—from pioneering frontiers to modern ambitions—capturing the clas…
Level C1ClassicsThe SpellAmid the timeless beauty of Florence and Fiesole, a young couple embarks on an intimate journey through history, culture, and personal discovery, where ancient legends and modern p…
Level B2ClassicsThe Speculations of John SteeleCaught in a dangerous night on a remote railway siding, young John Steele defies protocol to prevent a catastrophic collision between two fast-moving trains.
Level C2ClassicsThe Spectator, Volumes 1, 2 and 3: With Translations and Index for the SeriesDive into a rich tapestry of wit, philosophy, and poetic reflection that explores friendship, human nature, and the arts across three volumes.
Level C2ClassicsThe Spectator, Volume 2.An illegitimate son wrestles with identity and belonging, navigating the painful distance from his eminent father and the harsh realities of social exclusion.
Level C2ClassicsThe Spectator, Volume 1: Eighteenth-Century Periodical EssaysExplore a rich tapestry of eighteenth-century wit, philosophy, and social commentary through essays that blend poetic charm with sharp observation on human nature and society’s foi…