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 MansionA wealthy, self-made man clings to tradition and prudence in his imposing but restrained mansion, embodying his values in stone and decor.
Level C1ClassicsThe Manoeuvring Mother (vol. 3 of 3)Amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Lochleven, Christobelle navigates solitude, family tensions, and the expectations of high society while longing for connection and meaning bey…
Level C1ClassicsThe Manoeuvring Mother (vol. 1 of 3)Amidst hopes of noble matches and carefully laid plans, Lady Wetheral faces unexpected upheaval when a fifth daughter arrives, threatening her vision of perfect alliances and stirr…
Level C1ClassicsThe Manhattaners: A Story of the HourTwo men of contrasting ages and outlooks meet beneath the statue of Nathan Hale, sparking a conversation about youthful idealism and harsh realities.
Level B2ClassicsThe Manager of the B. & A.: A NovelIn the quiet aftermath of a busy day at the struggling Buckhom and Antioch Railroad, a new manager named Oakley arrives, determined to bring order and prosperity to the neglected l…
Level B2ClassicsThe Man: A Story of To-dayIn a candid series of letters and chapters, a bold author challenges societal norms and reveals uncomfortable truths about the struggles between men and circumstances, exploring lo…
Level C1ClassicsThe Man with the Double HeartIn fog-shrouded London, McTaggart faces a tense appointment in a world of hidden tensions and quiet dread.
Level B2ClassicsThe Man with a ShadowIn a quiet Warwickshire rectory, tensions rise as a mysterious note and a forbidden kiss spark suspicions and secrets among the Salis family, threatening their peaceful existence w…
Level C1ClassicsThe Man of the World (1792)A sharp-witted satire unfolds through Sir Pertinax Macsycophant, whose ruthless hypocrisy and defiance challenge societal norms and morality in a scathing comedy that exposes vice…
Level C1ClassicsThe Man of IronAmid the shadow of a great war and the rise and fall of empires, a young boy named Patrick Carolan Breagh takes his first steps into manhood, discovering harsh truths about life, d…
Level C1ClassicsThe Man from HomeIn the picturesque cliffs of Sorrento, a mysterious American and a secretive Grand-Duke navigate a world of aristocratic intrigue, incognito identities, and cultural clashes amidst…
Level C1ClassicsThe Man Who WinsIn a fading New England family legacy, a son’s reckless choices unravel the fortunes built by generations of ministers and merchants, forcing a reckoning with honor, disgrace, and…
Level C1ClassicsThe Man Who Was AfraidA powerful tale unfolds along the Volga, where Ignat Gordyeeff, a fearless and restless man driven by an insatiable hunger for wealth and freedom, navigates the tumultuous currents…
Level C1ClassicsThe Man Who Stole A Meeting-House: 1878, From "Coupon Bonds"In a village stirred by tales of horse thieves, a plain farmer recounts the extraordinary story of Jedwort, a troubled man who literally stole a meeting-house—and the complex life…
Level C1ClassicsThe Man Who Rose AgainA brilliant but troubled young political candidate battles inner demons and the judgment of London society, as whispers of his self-destructive habits threaten to unravel his caree…
Level B2ClassicsThe Man Who Lost HimselfVictor Jones, a struggling entrepreneur in London, faces financial ruin after losing a crucial government contract, only to encounter a mysterious man with a strikingly familiar fa…
Level C1ClassicsThe Man Who Kept His Money in a BoxA chance encounter with a mysterious man who guards his money in a box leads to an unfolding tale set against the breathtaking landscapes from the Via Mala to Lake Como, blending i…
Level C1ClassicsThe Man Who Found Himself (Uncle Simon)In the heart of historic Westminster, Simon Pettigrew, the last of a long line of esteemed lawyers, lives a restrained, orderly life shaped by a youthful mistake and unyielding fam…
Level C1ClassicsThe Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg, and Other StoriesIn a town famed for its unshakable honesty, a mysterious stranger leaves a sack of gold as a test of integrity, setting in motion a challenge that will reveal the true nature of Ha…
Level B2ClassicsThe Man That Corrupted HadleyburgIn the incorruptible town of Hadleyburg, a mysterious stranger leaves a sack of gold with a challenge that will test the town’s famed honesty and expose hidden truths in a clever g…
Level C1ClassicsThe Man In The High-Water BootsA chance encounter with a young painter leads to a thrilling journey through picturesque French countryside, where art, adventure, and the rush of a wild automobile ride blend into…
Level C1ClassicsThe Making of a SoulOn a stormy night in Kensington, Barry Raymond prepares a modest supper before welcoming his old friend Owen Rose, fresh from a daring big-game hunting expedition, setting the stag…
Level B2ClassicsThe Making of a PrigA rebellious young woman challenges the rigid expectations of her family and society while navigating the tensions between duty and personal freedom in a quiet rectory.
Level B2ClassicsThe Making of MaryA young girl wakes alone in an abandoned farmhouse, facing cold, hunger, and loneliness while discovering the remnants of a life left behind.
Level C1ClassicsThe Making of ArgumentsDiscover the art of crafting clear, compelling arguments that engage and persuade, equipping you to tackle complex questions and influence others effectively in everyday life and b…
Level C1ClassicsThe Making Of A Novelist: An Experiment In AutobiographyFrom desperate beginnings with nothing but the clothes on his back, a young man navigates the unpredictable tides of fortune and friendship in London, chronicling the making of a n…
Level C1ClassicsThe Maker of OpportunitiesIn a world where wealth and social status dictate fate, Mr.
Level C1ClassicsThe MajorIn a quiet village awakening to spring, a spirited boy channels courage and music, dreaming of heroism and freedom.
Level C1ClassicsThe Maids TragedyTensions rise as noble Melantius returns to Rhodes, finding his friend Amintor unexpectedly wed to Evadne, sparking jealousy and grief in Aspatia, whose sorrow haunts the court.![Cover of The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 3: Books 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 by Kisari Mohan [Translator] Ganguli](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dagkqu6icedc739b5ubg.webp)
Level C1ClassicsThe Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 3: Books 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12Amidst the devastating Kurukshetra war, great warriors grieve lost comrades and prepare for fierce battles under new commanders, while a grieving king faces the painful consequence…![Cover of The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 2: Books 4, 5, 6 and 7 by Kisari Mohan [Translator] Ganguli](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da6qt6guvnas73829m50.webp)
Level C1ClassicsThe Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 2: Books 4, 5, 6 and 7Exiled and incognito, the Pandavas seek refuge in the kingdom of Virata, adopting new identities to evade their enemies.![Cover of The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 1: Books 1, 2 and 3 by Kisari Mohan [Translator] Ganguli](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da6qsuguvnas73829m3g.webp)
ClassicsThe Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 1: Books 1, 2 and 3An epic saga unfolds through intricate tales of heroism, duty, and destiny in the ancient Indian world, weaving mythology, philosophy, and history into a timeless narrative of fami…![Cover of The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Translated into English Prose: Vana Parva, Part 2 by Kisari Mohan [Translator] Ganguli](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da6k3qapmtvc73csnqv0.webp)
Level C1ClassicsThe Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Translated into English Prose: Vana Parva, Part 2Amidst a vast, enchanted forest, the mighty Pandava Bhima battles fierce beasts and encounters the powerful monkey-chief Hanuman blocking the path to heaven, setting the stage for…![Cover of The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Translated into English Prose: Vana Parva, Part 1 by Kisari Mohan [Translator] Ganguli](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daembnge1ofc73dh70s0.webp)
Level C2ClassicsThe Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Translated into English Prose: Vana Parva, Part 1Exiled to the forest after a deceitful defeat, noble warriors and their devoted princess face hardship and sorrow while loyal subjects grapple with loyalty, virtue, and survival am…![Cover of The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Translated into English Prose: Adi Parva by Kisari Mohan [Translator] Ganguli](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da690hipmtvc73cshing.webp)
Level C1ClassicsThe Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Translated into English Prose: Adi ParvaDive into an epic saga of gods, heroes, and cosmic struggles, presented with faithful reverence to its ancient Sanskrit origins.
Level C1ClassicsThe Magnificent Lovers (Les Amants magnifiques)Two rival princes compete to win the heart of a princess during a lavish festival in the idyllic vale of Tempe, where gods and mortals mingle in a dazzling spectacle of love, music…
Level B2ClassicsThe Magnetic GirlTorn between scorn and curiosity, a young woman faces ridicule for the unexpected marriage proposal of Benjamin Morgan, a kind yet physically imperfect man.
Level C1ClassicsThe Magistrate: A Farce in Three ActsA respectable magistrate’s orderly life unravels hilariously when a family secret threatens to surface, sparking a farcical chain of misunderstandings and comedic chaos in Victoria…
Level C1ClassicsThe Madonna of the FutureIn moonlit Florence, a chance encounter with a passionate aesthete sparks a haunting reflection on art’s fleeting glory and the elusive masterpiece—the dream and despair of artists…
Level C1ClassicsThe Mad Pranks of Tom Tram, Son-in-law to Mother Winter: To Which Are Added His Merry Jests, Odd Conceits, and Pleasant Tales.Meet Tom Tram, a mischievous son-in-law whose wild pranks and clever antics turn everyday situations into uproarious chaos, from whipping uncooperative beer pots to outwitting guar…
Level C1ClassicsThe Mad Lover, a Tragi-Comedy: The Works of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher (3 of 10)In a kingdom weary of war, the fierce General Memnon returns victorious, his blunt valor clashing with courtly life and the tender intrigues surrounding the king’s sister.
Level C1ClassicsThe Macdermots of BallycloranIn the remote Irish countryside, the decaying Ballycloran estate stands as a haunting symbol of faded glory and ruin, inviting a tale of hardship, lost grandeur, and the struggles…
Level C1ClassicsThe Lyrical Dramas of Aeschylus Translated into English VerseStep into the world of ancient Greek tragedy where rich, powerful language and haunting lyrical dramas unfold with timeless mystery and terror.
Level C1ClassicsThe Lunatic at LargeIn foggy London, a struggling young doctor receives a curious offer to care for a wealthy but mentally unstable gentleman abroad.
Level C1ClassicsThe Lumley AutographIn foggy London, a destitute poet clings to his final manuscript, torn between hunger and hope as he writes a desperate appeal to his patron.
Level C1ClassicsThe Luck of Roaring Camp and Other Tales: With Condensed Novels, Spanish and American Legends, and Earlier PapersVivid tales and sketches capture life in the American West, blending humor, romance, and local legends amid the rugged frontier.
Level C1ClassicsThe Lowest Rung: Together with The Hand on the Latch, St. Luke's Summer and The UnderstudyA writer reflects on the challenges of claiming her own work in a world eager to attribute her novels to others, revealing the misunderstandings and misidentifications behind her c…
Level C1ClassicsThe Lovels of ArdenReturning to England after seven years abroad, young Clarissa Lovel faces cold family indifference and an uncertain future as she journeys home to a diminished family estate, shari…