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 Optimist's Good MorningBegin each day with a moment of hope and courage through brief, uplifting readings and prayers designed for busy lives.
Level B2ClassicsThe Opinions of a PhilosopherA middle-aged man reflects on his journey toward philosophy, blending humor and human flaws as he navigates life's everyday challenges, from soot-covered rooms to icy fishing ponds…
Level C1ClassicsThe Open Window: Tales of the MonthsExperience the quiet rhythms of a winter landscape where gardens resist sleep, dogs find warmth by the fire, and the cycle of nature unfolds amid the hardships and small comforts o…
Level B2ClassicsThe Open Boat and Other StoriesFour men struggle to survive in a tiny boat after their steamer sinks, battling relentless waves and the vast, indifferent sea.
Level B2ClassicsThe One Woman: A Story of Modern UtopiaIn a packed New York church, a charismatic preacher battles inner turmoil and brewing controversy while captivating crowds with his fiery sermons and magnetic presence.
Level C1ClassicsThe Old Wives' TaleTwo sisters embark on divergent paths from youth to old age, revealing the intimate triumphs and sorrows of ordinary lives.
Level B2ClassicsThe Old Stone HouseA devoted aunt cares for five orphaned cousins, each with unique struggles and futures, as they spend a summer together in an old stone house by the lake.
Level C1ClassicsThe Old RoomA mysterious, richly adorned room hidden within a grand house holds its secrets behind a door never opened to strangers, where light and shadow play over untold stories guarded by…
Level C1ClassicsThe Old Manse (From "Mosses from an Old Manse")An old parsonage, steeped in generations of solemn sermons and cloaked in quiet seclusion, becomes a sanctuary for reflection and creativity.
Level C1ClassicsThe Old Man of the Mountain, The Lovecharm and Pietro of Abano: Tales from the German of TieckIn a gloomy mountain valley ruled by the wealthy and enigmatic Herr Balthasar, young William faces mysterious accusations and a sudden departure that threatens his future—will he s…
Level C1ClassicsThe Old Maids' ClubA sharp-witted young woman navigates the pressures of society and marriage proposals while defiantly managing her wealthy father's expectations.
Level B2ClassicsThe Old Lady fliesA veteran stunt pilot clings to his battered old Jenny plane, defying his circus boss’s orders to switch to a newer model.
Level C1ClassicsThe Old HomesteadIn a cramped attic filled with hardship and hope, a young girl clings to faith and the promise of her father's return, revealing the quiet strength and resilience of New England fa…
Level C1ClassicsThe Old Helmet, Volume IIHaunted by inner turmoil, Eleanor seeks solace in weekly meetings that challenge her hardened heart and wavering faith.
Level C1ClassicsThe Old Folks' Party: 1898A spirited group of friends plans an unusual "old folks' party," imagining themselves as their future septuagenarian selves to explore how time might change their appearance, chara…
Level C1ClassicsThe Old Debauchees. A ComedyIn a lively Toulon household, youthful Isabel resists the call to a nunnery, embracing the pleasures of the world, while the irreverent Old Laroon nostalgically recalls his wild yo…
Level C1ClassicsThe Old Curiosity ShopAn old man’s nightly wanderings lead him to a mysterious, trusting little girl lost in the city, sparking a journey filled with curiosity, secrets, and unexpected companionship ami…
Level C1ClassicsThe Old Countess; or, The Two ProposalsHaunted by a tragic past and a wrongful accusation, Hepworth Closs seeks redemption through honest toil across the globe, only to find unexpected love and stirring challenges upon…
Level C1ClassicsThe Old Church ClockIn a remote corner of the English Lakes, a dedicated parish priest upholds the true teachings of faith through discipline and outward acts, revealing the enduring power of doctrine…
Level C1ClassicsThe Old Bachelor: A ComedyIn a sharp comedy of manners, the Old Bachelor exposes the follies and vices of high society with wit and satire, revealing a world where gallantry masks deeper moral complexities…
Level C1ClassicsThe Old Apple Dealer (From "Mosses from an Old Manse")An overlooked old apple dealer quietly endures poverty and loneliness at a bustling railroad depot, his humble wares and faded presence revealing a life shaped by quiet despair and…
Level C1ClassicsThe Odd WomenIn a seaside town, a devoted father dreams of a future where his daughters are free from financial worries, as they navigate societal expectations and the challenges facing women i…
Level C1ClassicsThe Odd Volume; Or, Book of VarietyA grotesque traveler with an enormous mouth and surprising manners captivates a room of strangers in a lively inn, blending humor and mystery as his peculiar presence promises an u…
Level C1ClassicsThe Octoroon; or, Life in Louisiana. A Play in Five actsAmidst the sprawling Terrebonne plantation in Louisiana, tensions simmer between heirs, overseers, and enslaved children, unraveling a complex web of family duty, financial ruin, a…
Level B2ClassicsThe Octopus : A Story of CaliforniaIn parched California’s San Joaquin Valley, Presley sets out from the Broderson ranch on a dusty road, caught amid tense whispers of land and labor changes that threaten the lives…
Level B2ClassicsThe Obstacle RaceA determined woman escapes the stifling London life for a rugged seaside refuge with only her loyal dog for company, facing unexpected challenges and the stark realities of indepen…
Level C1ClassicsThe Observations of Professor MaturinA scholarly bachelor known for his eccentricities invites a friend into his world of intellectual curiosity, where the pleasures of the table and the pursuit of happiness intertwin…
Level B2ClassicsThe Observations of HenryIn the bustling Mile End Road, a sharp young waiter recounts the intertwined lives of a cunning newsboy and a spirited red-haired girl struggling to survive.
Level C1ClassicsThe NurserymatographStep behind the scenes of early cinema as a skilled operator battles timing, flickering images, and elusive smiles to bring silent films to life, all while navigating the quirks of…
Level C1ClassicsThe Novel; what it isExplore the nature and purpose of the novel as an intellectual artistic luxury, crafted to amuse and engage readers while navigating the delicate balance between storytelling and m…
Level C1ClassicsThe Novel on the TramA chance encounter on a Madrid tram sparks a revealing conversation between two acquaintances, uncovering scandal, secrets, and social intrigues swirling around a troubled countess…
Level C1ClassicsThe Novel and the Common SchoolExploring the impact of popular education on intellectual habits, this work investigates how widespread schooling shapes reading tastes, particularly the appetite for fiction, and…
Level C1ClassicsThe Notorious Mrs. EbbsmithIn Venice during Easter, a circle of English expatriates navigates illness, loyalty, and controversial ideals amidst the city's faded grandeur.
Level C1ClassicsThe Noble Spanish SoldierIn a world of political intrigue and broken promises, a noble Spanish soldier navigates loyalty and betrayal amid royal schemes and shifting alliances.
Level B2ClassicsThe Nine-TenthsIn a bustling printery alive with the clatter of presses and the laughter of young factory girls, Joe Blaine finds a fierce sense of belonging amid the smoke and machinery.
Level B2ClassicsThe Night ClubIn a lively Chelsea flat, a group of men form the Night Club—a Sunday gathering where storytelling reigns supreme and women are barred, sparking camaraderie, humor, and the challen…
Level C1ClassicsThe NibelungsIn a world of heroes and ancient legends, young Siegfried rises unmatched in strength and valor, destined to wield mighty swords and claim a legendary treasure.
Level C1ClassicsThe NewspaperExplore the intricate organization and global influence of the newspaper press, revealing its pivotal role in shaping public opinion and modern communication.
Level C1ClassicsThe Newcomes: Memoirs of a Most Respectable FamilyIn a vivid pastoral scene where cunning animals don disguises and clash with nature’s order, a wolf in sheep’s clothing threatens innocence while a donkey's roar shakes the meadow—…
Level C1ClassicsThe New Woman: An Original Comedy, in Four ActsIn a lively drawing-room debate, a traditional colonel and his friend grapple with the rising tide of the "New Woman"—educated, independent, and challenging societal norms—while aw…
Level C1ClassicsThe New Pun BookDive into a witty collection of clever puns and sharp wordplay, where language twists and turns with unexpected juxtapositions, delivering humor and insight without resorting to sl…
Level C1ClassicsThe New Mistress: A TaleA proud woman faces the harsh realities of reduced circumstances as she begins her new life teaching in a small, struggling town.
Level C1ClassicsThe New Minister's Great Opportunity: First published in the "Century Magazine"A newly appointed minister faces the daunting task of crafting a meaningful funeral sermon for the unremarkable Uncle Capen, whose simple life offers little inspiration.
Level C1ClassicsThe New MagdalenAmid the tense backdrop of the 1870 Franco-German war, a French captain and his surgeons guard a fragile victory in a secluded village cottage, where two Englishwomen find themselv…
Level C1ClassicsThe New MachiavelliA restless man at forty-two wrestles with the clash between personal passion and the lofty dream of statecraft, drawing inspiration from Machiavelli’s troubled genius to explore th…
Level C1ClassicsThe New Adam and Eve (From "Mosses from an Old Manse")In a deserted modern city, two newly created beings awaken as a new Adam and Eve, exploring the strange remnants of human civilization and grappling with the contrast between natur…
Level C1ClassicsThe Nether WorldIn the shadowed streets of London, an aged man searches for a mysterious Snowdon near the grim Middlesex House of Detention, while a young girl named Jane Snowdon listens in, setti…
Level C1ClassicsThe Nest, The White Pagoda, The Suicide, A Forsaken Temple, Miss Jones and the MasterpieceA man facing imminent death reflects on life, love, and the work that defines him during a poignant train journey to the countryside, where the quiet moments before the end reveal…