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 Speaker, No. 5: Volume II, Issue 1: December, 1906.Explore the art of public speaking as it trains the will, cultivates sincerity, and demands self-discipline—uncovering the true power behind effective expression beyond mere gestur…
Level C2ClassicsThe Spanish TragedyA ghostly knight returns from the underworld to witness a tragic tale of love, war, and revenge unfolding in the Spanish court, where honor and betrayal collide in a deadly drama o…
Level C2ClassicsThe Spanish TragedieA restless ghost returns from the underworld, driven by revenge and bound to a tragic tale of love, war, and betrayal within the Spanish court.
Level C2ClassicsThe Spanish Curate: A ComedyIn a world of missed letters and shifting loyalties, a son arrives at university seeking favor, while secret desires and schemes unfold beneath the surface.
Level C1ClassicsThe SowersAcross the vast, bleak plains of Tver, an English-born prince inherits a sprawling Russian estate, struggling with his unexpected title and responsibilities amid a land as harsh as…
Level C1ClassicsThe Sources and Analogues of 'A Midsummer-night's Dream'Explore the intricate origins of the enchanting play where love's folly, fairy magic, and comic buffoonery intertwine.
Level B2ClassicsThe Soul of a ChildIn the shadow of Stockholm’s Royal Palace, a young boy named Keith grows up confined by his mother’s fears and the bleak city streets outside their window.
Level C1ClassicsThe Soul of Susan YellamIn the quiet village of Nether-Applewhite, the formidable Susan Yellam commands respect from pew to parish, navigating tradition, family expectations, and social change as her son’…
Level B2ClassicsThe Soul of Nicholas Snyders; Or, The Miser of ZandamA cruel miser obsessed with power faces a mysterious pedlar offering an extraordinary soul exchange—an experiment that could transform his cold, hard life forever.
Level B2ClassicsThe Sorrows of a Show Girl: A Story of the Great "White Way"Sabrina, a sharp-witted showgirl navigating the tough, unpredictable world of theater and café life, reveals the gritty realities and humorous struggles behind the glitz of the Gre…
Level C1ClassicsThe Sorrows of Satan: or, The Strange Experience of One Geoffrey Tempest, Millionaire: A RomanceA struggling writer confronts the harsh realities of poverty and social injustice in Victorian London, embarking on a strange and transformative experience that challenges his beli…
Level C1ClassicsThe Sorceress, v. 3 of 3A devastated young man flees Oxford after a crushing heartbreak, plunging into London’s chaos with no plan or hope, haunted by the collapse of his dreams and searching for meaning…
Level C1ClassicsThe Sorceress, v. 2 of 3Amidst a devastating personal crisis and her mother’s grave illness, Bee struggles to hold onto faith and courage as her world crumbles around her, challenging everything she once…
Level C1ClassicsThe Song of the WolfA rugged cowboy confronts the harsh beauty of the western wilderness, wrestling with his own inner turmoil amid the vast, untamed landscape.
Level C1ClassicsThe Song of the CardinalIn a vibrant southern orchard and the wild Limberlost swamp, a young cardinal’s brilliant plumage and joyful song herald a world teeming with colorful birds, buzzing insects, and t…
Level C1ClassicsThe Song of SongsA controversial novel sparks debate over morality and censorship as a publisher confronts accusations of obscenity.
Level C1ClassicsThe Son of a ServantA gifted man battles neglect, misunderstanding, and the harsh legacy of his lowly birth as he forges his path through a world that offers little sympathy for his temperamental geni…
Level B2ClassicsThe Son of My FriendCaught between social expectation and moral conviction, a couple debates the cost and consequences of hosting a lavish party where wine and brandy flow freely.
Level C1ClassicsThe Son of His Father; vol. 3/3A young man grapples with the moral complexities of crime and redemption as he forms an unlikely alliance with a troubled visitor, exploring despair, hope, and the power of charity…
Level C1ClassicsThe Son of His Father; vol. 2/3Thrown into a new life with his mother in bustling London, a young man faces the harsh reality of leaving his quiet past behind and stepping into an uncertain future where he must…
Level B2ClassicsThe Son of His Father; vol. 1/3A young boy named John grows up surrounded by whispered secrets and cautious silences, sensing that his family hides a truth he must not know.
Level C1ClassicsThe Son of Clemenceau, A Novel of Modern Love and LifeIn the shadowed streets of Munich, a solitary young stranger navigates a city divided between the fading old town and its restless night dwellers, uncovering a world where beauty a…
Level C1ClassicsThe Solitary SummerA woman decides to spend an entire summer alone, immersing herself in nature’s quiet beauty to nurture her soul and discover true peace.
Level B2ClassicsThe Soldier of the ValleyA wounded soldier returns to his mountain valley, confined not by bars but by the landscape and his own limitations.
Level C1ClassicsThe SocialistIn a world where the British aristocracy reigns supreme, the young Duke of Paddington emerges from obscurity to claim his opulent inheritance and influence.
Level C1ClassicsThe So-called Human RaceWitty reflections and sharp observations dissect the quirks and follies of everyday life with a sunny, alert spirit.
Level B2ClassicsThe Snow-BurnerA fallen football star wakes up in a rough northern town with no memory of how he got there, struggling to piece together the night before amid saloons, snow, and mysterious encoun…
Level C1ClassicsThe Smuggler's CaveIn a remote English village, a humble local pageant unexpectedly ignites scandal, gossip, and political upheaval, all sparked by an eager vicar's wife, a hospitable innkeeper, and…
Level C1ClassicsThe Smart Set: Correspondence & ConversationsDive into the glittering world of New York high society as a determined hostess orchestrates a grand ball, navigating family tensions, social ambitions, and the clash between old m…
Level C1ClassicsThe Slim PrincessIn a land where feminine beauty is measured by weight, one slender princess defies tradition and society’s expectations, challenging the very notion of desirability in a world fixa…
Level C1ClassicsThe Sleeping-Car: A FarceIn a bustling sleeping-car on the Boston and Albany Road, a young mother anxiously awaits a reunion with her long-lost brother, while curious passengers and quirky conversations se…
Level C1ClassicsThe Slaves of Society: A Comedy in CoversIn a lavish Berkeley Square drawing-room, a sharp-witted marchioness and her enigmatic companion navigate the gilded cage of high society, exposing its constraints and intrigues wi…
Level C1ClassicsThe SlanderersIn a windswept estate by the sea, the miserly Zeus Gildersedge clings to his wealth and isolation, while his innocent, idealistic daughter Joan grows up untouched by love or sin—he…
Level C1ClassicsThe Slanderer: 1901At a lively wedding feast, a harmless moment in the kitchen spirals into scandal when a mischievous assistant teacher spins a tale of a secret kiss, igniting gossip that threatens…
Level B2ClassicsThe Sky Pilot: A Tale of the FoothillsIn the rugged Foothills where outcasts and adventurers seek freedom, a man arrives with a vision and unwavering faith to transform a wild land and its people through love and broth…
Level C1ClassicsThe Skipper and the Skipped: Being the Shore Log of Cap'n Aaron SproulA seasoned sea captain, forced ashore by age and rheumatism, reluctantly takes over his late uncle’s tollhouse, trading the open ocean for a life filled with local characters, keen…
Level C1ClassicsThe Skin Game (A Tragi-Comedy)In a genteel English countryside, an aging landowner and his spirited daughter navigate the clash between tradition and modern ambition as new money challenges old social orders, s…
Level C1ClassicsThe Sisters-In-Law: A Novel of Our TimeIn the heart of San Francisco's rigid old aristocracy, young Alexina defies her Victorian mother's strict social rules to explore the vibrant, new world of the city's restless yout…
Level C1ClassicsThe Sisters Rondoli, and Other StoriesA reluctant traveler finally embarks on a journey through Italy, confronting the discomforts of travel and the loneliness of unfamiliar places, while his companion finds meaning an…
Level A2ClassicsThe Sir Roger de Coverley PapersStep into the charming world of Sir Roger de Coverley, where wit, wisdom, and gentle satire illuminate English society through a series of engaging essays and observations.
Level C1ClassicsThe Sins of the Cities of the Plain; or, The Recollections of a Mary-Ann: with Short Essays on Sodomy and TribadismAn intriguing encounter in Victorian London leads to a candid exploration of the secret lives and desires of a captivating young man known as a "Mary-Ann.
Level C1ClassicsThe Sins of the Children: A NovelAt Oxford during Commemoration, a spirited Rhodes scholar prepares to impress his visiting family while navigating friendship, rivalry, and the complex ties that bind youth and amb…
Level B2ClassicsThe Sin of Monsieur Pettipon, and other humorous talesA devoted steward aboard the Voltaire takes pride in his meticulous work, dreaming of buying a violin for his son despite meager tips and humble passengers.
Level C1ClassicsThe Sin of Monsieur Antoine, Volume 1 (of 2)In a tranquil countryside setting, a mysterious young woman emerges amidst social tensions and hidden pasts, while a bold critique of society unfolds through interconnected lives m…
Level C1ClassicsThe Simpkins PlotAs Sir Gilbert Hawkesby rushes through a bustling train platform, he encounters a mysterious woman whose striking resemblance to his niece unsettles him.
Level C1ClassicsThe Silver Shield: An Original Comedy in Three ActsIn a stately English hall, artists and friends navigate creativity, creditors, and social expectations as a mysterious visitor arrives from Australia, stirring old alliances and ne…
Level C1ClassicsThe Silver PoppyIn a vibrant artist’s studio buzzing with bohemian charm and high society, a young poet named John Hartley navigates the clash between raw genius and societal expectations, where a…
Level C1ClassicsThe Silver FoxIn a snowy English manor, Lady Susan and her circle navigate sharp wit, social tensions, and unexpected hardships like a Sunday dinner shortage.