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 Minister's WifeIn a remote Scottish cottage where gentility meets humble roots, twin sisters Margaret and Isabel grapple with family divisions and the challenge of embracing their stepmother and…
Level C1ClassicsThe Minister's Charge; Or, The Apprenticeship of Lemuel BarkerA young poet clings to hope after a minister praises his verses, sparking dreams that may clash with reality.
Level C1ClassicsThe Mimic Stage: A Series of Dramas, Comedies, Burlesques, and Farces for Public Exhibitions and Private TheatricalsStep into a charming seaside setting where simple folk and city visitors cross paths in lighthearted dramas and comedies designed for intimate theatrical performances.
Level C1ClassicsThe Miller Of Old ChurchIn a fading tavern at a rural crossroads, a returning stranger stirs old tensions and new possibilities amid the changing landscape of a Southern village.
Level C1ClassicsThe MidlanderTwo brothers embody contrasting worlds: Harlan, the fastidious aristocrat, and Dan, the spirited rebel thriving in mischief and adventure.
Level C1ClassicsThe Middle-Class GentlemanA wealthy middle-class man hires music and dance masters to transform himself into a refined gentleman, unaware of their amusement at his naive attempts to grasp high society's art…
Level C1ClassicsThe Mettle of the PastureOn the eve of a life-changing choice, a young woman lingers between the comfort of her childhood home and the thrilling promise of love and marriage, capturing the delicate tension…
Level C1ClassicsThe MessengerIn a world poised on the edge of social change, a young government aide becomes entangled with the enigmatic Miss von Schwarzenberg and the fiercely independent Madge McIntyre, who…
Level C1ClassicsThe MessageTwo young lovers share a fleeting, intense bond during a coach journey, confessing their passionate affairs with older women.
Level C2ClassicsThe Merry Wives of WindsorIn Windsor, the mischievous Falstaff courts two clever wives, sparking a hilarious battle of wits, schemes, and social satire as local gentlemen and townsfolk become entangled in c…
Level C1ClassicsThe Merry Devil of EdmontonA scholar bound by a dark pact with a devilish spirit gains seven years of life to accomplish urgent business before his soul is claimed.
Level C1ClassicsThe Merrie Tales of Jacques TournebrocheIn a lavish palace beneath a golden dome, Emperor Charlemagne and his knights boast of daring feats, sparking a challenge to rival the legendary Hercules by winning the favor of a…
Level C1ClassicsThe Mercy of AllahIn the bustling city of Bagdad, a wealthy merchant shares with his nephews the unpredictable path to fortune, blending sharp wit and divine mercy in a tale of ambition, faith, and…
Level C2ClassicsThe Merchant of VeniceA merchant wrestles with inexplicable melancholy while his friends suspect love or financial troubles, setting the stage for a tangled web of commerce, loyalty, and risk on the bus…
Level B2ClassicsThe Mentor: Walter Scott, Vol. 4, Num. 15, Serial No. 115, September 15, 1916Amid the 1745 Scottish rebellion, English officer Edward Waverley finds his loyalty tested as he falls for Flora MacIvor and becomes entangled in Highland conflicts, facing charges…
Level C1ClassicsThe Mentor: Shakespeare's Country, Vol. 4, Num. 8, Serial No. 108, June 1, 1916Explore the tranquil beauty of Stratford-upon-Avon and the historic castles of Warwick and Kenilworth, where Shakespeare’s legacy intertwines with captivating tales of English lege…
Level C1ClassicsThe Mentor: American Novelists, Vol. 1, No. 25Explore the evolution of American literature through intimate portraits of its pioneering novelists, from Cooper's frontier tales to James's psychological insights and Howells's re…
Level C1ClassicsThe Memoirs of Victor HugoExperience the vivid tapestry of 19th-century France through the eyes of a literary giant, blending intimate reflections with dramatic historical events—from royal coronations and…
Level B2ClassicsThe Memoirs of Mr. Charles J. YellowplushBorn to uncertain origins and raised amidst hardship, a young footman with gentlemanly aspirations navigates the shifting tides of London life, from schoolboy pranks to serving a m…
Level C1ClassicsThe Memoirs of Count Carlo Gozzi; Volume the SecondDelve into the candid and witty memoirs of a contemplative Venetian nobleman, who reveals his physical quirks, solitary nature, and unconventional approach to fame and fortune amid…
Level C1ClassicsThe Memoirs of Count Carlo Gozzi; Volume the FirstExplore the vivid memoirs of a Venetian nobleman navigating the waning days of an era marked by decadence, wit, and dramatic tales of love and society.
Level C1ClassicsThe Melting-PotIn a modest New York home, Mendel Quixano, a struggling Jewish music teacher, navigates cultural clashes and daily hardships with his Irish maid and family, revealing the complex b…
Level C1ClassicsThe Measure of a ManA man of faith embarks on a solitary journey across the rugged Shetland landscape and the vast North Sea, embodying strength, grace, and a deep love that promises to reveal the tru…
Level C1ClassicsThe Mayor of WarwickA young academic arrives at the venerable but struggling St.
Level C1ClassicsThe Mayor of CasterbridgeA somber man and his silent wife arrive at the fading village of Weydon-Priors, carrying a heavy past as they seek work and shelter amid the town’s harsh decline.
Level C1ClassicsThe May Flower, and Miscellaneous WritingsIn a quaint New England village untouched by time, everyday lives unfold with quiet charm and steadfast traditions.
Level C1ClassicsThe Matador of the Five Towns and Other StoriesIn the bustling Five Towns, forgotten family birthdays spark unexpected chaos and humor, while a visitor finds himself caught between warm hospitality and local eccentricities.
Level C1ClassicsThe MasterfolkIn the dim editorial office of a struggling weekly review, a young writer and the editor’s son navigate the trials of literary creation and criticism, revealing the humor and hards…
Level C1ClassicsThe Master; a NovelIn a rugged land where old France meets new settlers, a close-knit community wrestles with change, tradition, and the wild beauty of Acadia’s forests and shores.
Level C1ClassicsThe Master-Knot of Human FateAmid the rugged beauty of the Rockies, two companions embark on a mysterious ascent toward a forbidding stone gateway, their silent camaraderie hinting at deeper truths as they fac…
Level C1ClassicsThe Master-ChristianIn the twilight of Rouen, a devout cardinal known as "Our good Saint Felix" navigates the tension between fading religious traditions and modern secular progress, set against the h…
Level C1ClassicsThe Master of the InnNestled in the northern hills, an old colonial tavern becomes a sanctuary where a quiet doctor and a cast of seekers find healing through work, nature, and fellowship—forming a bro…
Level C1ClassicsThe Master of Mrs. Chilvers: An Improbable ComedyIn a drawing-room charged with political fervor, a group of women and men navigate the complexities of the Women’s Parliamentary Franchise League, blending humor and social critiqu…
Level C1ClassicsThe Master of Man: The Story of a SinA scandal at King William’s school exposes a senior boy’s secret nocturnal escapades with a servant girl, igniting a tense search for truth and honor amid strict discipline and sha…
Level C1ClassicsThe Master CraftsmanIn early 19th-century London, an old tavern holds secrets of a century-old jewel mystery, weaving a charming tale of love, fortune, and the enduring spirit of the city's working cl…
Level C1ClassicsThe Master BuilderAn ambitious architect confronts the haunting consequences of his past and the mysterious influence of a young woman who challenges his mastery and ambition.
Level C1ClassicsThe MassarenesAmid the glittering society of Homburg, a wealthy yet isolated woman struggles to find her place among the titled and idle, revealing that immense fortune cannot buy the elusive gr…
Level C1ClassicsThe MasqueraderOn a fog-bound London night, a tense political atmosphere intertwines with mysterious border uprisings, as John Chilcote navigates both the literal and figurative fog surrounding h…
Level C1ClassicsThe Martyrdom of MadelineTwo women bound by haunting resemblance navigate a grim night in London, one fierce and determined, the other broken and desperate.
Level C1ClassicsThe Martian: A NovelDive into the intimate biography of Barty Josselin, a man both myth and reality, whose generosity, humor, and honor shaped those around him.
Level C1ClassicsThe Marryers: A History Gathered from a Brief of the Honorable Socrates PotterA wealthy, enigmatic American financier seeks counsel amid the intrigues of love, art, and society, while a keen observer unravels the hidden currents beneath his reserved exterior…
Level C1ClassicsThe Marriage of EstherOn a sweltering evening at Thursday Island’s Hotel of All Nations, two mysterious and destitute men—striking in appearance yet shunned by all—arrive under a cloud of suspicion and…
Level C1ClassicsThe Marriage of ElinorA barrister receives a cryptic letter about Elinor’s mysterious new suitor, stirring unexpected emotions and doubts.
Level C1ClassicsThe Marriage ContractA young heir escapes his oppressive father’s control only to inherit a vast estate and squander its fortune across Europe.
Level C1ClassicsThe Marquis of Peñalta (Marta y María): A Realistic Social NovelIn a society where worldly pleasures reign, a passionate young woman wrestles with a profound spiritual calling to renounce the world and embrace the cloistered life of a nun, reve…
Level C1ClassicsThe Marquis of LossieOn a frost-kissed winter day at ancient Lossie House, young Malcolm tends a fierce black mare with a restless spirit as he navigates the tension between loyalty and harsh realities…
Level C1ClassicsThe Market-PlaceA victorious man revels in his sweeping conquest, wrestling with the power to show mercy or crush his foes completely.
Level C1ClassicsThe Mantle, and Other StoriesIn a world where irony cuts sharper than swords, vivid portraits of human folly and social absurdity unfold with biting satire and unforgettable detail.