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 Love of AzaleaIn a sleepy Japanese village, a young foreign minister’s efforts to uplift the town’s outcasts with music sparks curiosity and quiet rebellion.
Level C1ClassicsThe Love That PrevailedIn a small village, fiery debates ignite over faith, gain, and godliness as neighbors confront their beliefs and each other.
Level C1ClassicsThe Love Affairs of a BibliomaniacDive into the whimsical world of a devoted book collector whose passion for rare volumes leads to charming adventures, humorous missteps, and a heartfelt celebration of bibliomania…
Level C1ClassicsThe Love Affairs of Lord ByronDive into the turbulent world of a poet whose life is defined by a relentless parade of passionate entanglements, where love shapes his work, his heartbreaks, and ultimately, his v…
Level B2ClassicsThe Lost Word: A Christmas Legend of Long AgoIn ancient Antioch, a young Christian candidate wrestles with doubts and disillusionment on Christmas morning, caught between his past wealth and his new faith.
Level C1ClassicsThe Lost Pibroch, and other Sheiling StoriesIn a hidden woodland village, two pipers stumble upon a mysterious blind musician with a rare set of pipes, unlocking ancient melodies and secrets of a lost pibroch that echo throu…
Level C1ClassicsThe Lost DahliaAn unlucky woman recounts a lifetime of losing cherished possessions, from gloves to jewels, and even her way in the woods.
Level B2ClassicsThe Lost ChildOn a bright Christmas Eve morning in Paris, the powerful and wealthy banker M.
Level C1ClassicsThe Lords of High DecisionA powerful Pittsburgh family faces a pivotal moment as Colonel Craighill calls his children together, hinting at a life-changing announcement amid tensions over his future and the…
Level C1ClassicsThe Long Run: 1916After twelve years away, a man returns to New York and reconnects with his old friend Halston Merrick, once a promising free spirit now seemingly tamed by business and convention.
Level C1ClassicsThe Long Hillside: A Christmas Hare-Hunt In Old Virginia: 1908Boys claim the winter hares of old Virginia as their own, hunting with a lively pack of dogs and the help of spirited companions during a joyous Christmas hunt filled with traditio…
Level C1ClassicsThe Long AgoAmid the bustling city, memories of a grandmother's garden unfold—a sanctuary of childhood wonder, fragrant blooms, and tender moments that echo through the years, inviting you to…
Level C1ClassicsThe Lonely Way—Intermezzo—Countess Mizzie: Three PlaysStep into the vibrant, conflicted world of Vienna where tradition clashes with modernity, and passions simmer beneath the surface.
Level C1ClassicsThe LondonersIn the sweltering heat of a London May, Mrs.
Level C2ClassicsThe London-Bawd: With Her Character and Life: Discovering the Various and Subtle Intrigues of Lewd WomenDelve into the shadowy world of a cunning bawd who, once a fiery temptress, now orchestrates the desires of others with ruthless expertise, turning innocence into temptation and we…
Level C1ClassicsThe London VisitorA reluctant visitor trapped by social expectations finds her quiet life disrupted by the arrival of a mysterious London gentleman, drawing her into a bewildering tale of society, c…
Level C1ClassicsThe London ProdigalA wayward son squanders his inheritance and tests his family's patience with reckless debts and wild behavior, while his disguised father returns to secretly observe his prodigal l…
Level C1ClassicsThe Log of the Water Wagon; or, The Cruise of the Good Ship "Lithia"Embark on a whimsical voyage aboard the Water Wagon, a lively ship filled with spirited passengers navigating the perils of thirst and temptation on a dry, spirited cruise packed w…
Level B2ClassicsThe Log of the "Jolly Polly"A struggling novelist clings to fading fame when unexpected relatives from Massachusetts arrive, hinting at a mysterious connection that could change everything.
Level B2ClassicsThe Living Link: A NovelIn a quiet boarding school, Edith arrives to a tense silence and a mysterious summons from Miss Plympton, hinting at a terrible secret that will upend the lives of the young ladies…
Level C1ClassicsThe Lives of the Poets of Great Britain and Ireland (1753) Volume V.Dive into the fascinating biographies of Britain's and Ireland's most renowned poets, tracing their lives, literary achievements, and social circles from classical roots to 18th-ce…
Level C1ClassicsThe Lives of the Poets of Great Britain and Ireland (1753) Volume III.Explore the turbulent life of Sir John Denham, a 17th-century poet entangled in gambling, royal service, and political intrigue, whose celebrated works like "Cooper's Hill" earned…
Level C1ClassicsThe Live CorpseA woman torn between duty and desire leaves her husband, igniting family tensions and secrets in Moscow's high society.
Level B2ClassicsThe Little Vanities of Mrs. Whittaker: A NovelIn an era when women’s roles are limited, Regina Brown, a determined and educated young woman, wrestles with the confines of middle-class life and her desire for a meaningful purpo…
Level B2ClassicsThe Little Russian ServantA young Russian peasant girl named Mavra enters noble service as an embroiderer, stepping into a world of opulence and strict hierarchy where her skills and quiet presence catch th…
Level B2ClassicsThe Little Room, and Other StoriesA family returns to a remote Vermont farm haunted by the mystery of a vanished "little room" that exists only in memory and imagination, challenging the boundaries between reality…
Level C1ClassicsThe Little Pilgrim: Further Experiences.: Stories of the Seen and the Unseen.A newly arrived soul in a realm beyond earthly suffering longs to comfort those still trapped in pain, guided by a sage who reveals hidden mysteries and takes her on a journey back…
Level B2ClassicsThe Little MissisIn a humble home filled with old memories and new hopes, Phebe wrestles with love, faith, and promises that may change her future forever.
Level C1ClassicsThe Little MinisterIn a quiet Scottish village, a young minister arrives, carrying the hopes of his proud mother and the watchful eyes of the townsfolk.
Level C1ClassicsThe Little Man: A Farcical Morality in Three ScenesAt an Austrian railway station, a diverse group of travelers navigates cultural clashes and social tensions over simple requests and philosophies of equality.
Level B2ClassicsThe Little Lady of the Big HouseAwakening on his sprawling estate, Dick Forrest navigates a day of careful efficiency, tending prized livestock and overseeing his ambitious plans.
Level C1ClassicsThe Little French Lawyer: A ComedyIn a world where honor demands duels and loyalty tests friendship, two gentlemen navigate love, pride, and societal expectations in a witty comedy set amidst French nobility and le…
Level B2ClassicsThe Little Dream: An Allegory in Six ScenesIn a remote mountain hut, a daring climber prepares to conquer the formidable Great Horn at sunrise, forging an unexpected bond with Seelchen, a spirited local girl torn between he…
Level C1ClassicsThe Little Cryptogram: A Literal Application to the Play of Hamlet of the Cipher System of Mr. Ignatius Donnelly.Delve into a groundbreaking application of a cipher system to Shakespeare's Hamlet, revealing hidden messages that challenge traditional authorship and uncover a secret history enc…![Cover of The Little Clay Cart [Mṛcchakaṭika] by Sūdraka](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da76qk9bccoc73elqbhg.webp)
Level C1ClassicsThe Little Clay Cart [Mṛcchakaṭika]In an ancient Indian drama, a humble cart maker’s life intertwines with those of nobles and courtesans, revealing a vibrant world of love, intrigue, and social contrasts.
Level B2ClassicsThe Little City of Hope: A Christmas StoryA determined inventor struggles against skepticism and poverty to perfect his revolutionary Air-Motor, clinging to hope despite financial ruin and betrayal.
Level C1ClassicsThe Little Angel, and Other StoriesThirteen-year-old Sashka endures cold, harsh punishments and school torment, fighting back with rebellion and mischief as he struggles against a bleak, unforgiving life.
Level C1ClassicsThe Literature of Arabia: With Critical and Biographical Sketches by Epiphanius WilsonStep into the heroic age of Arabia, where valor and poetry intertwine in the legendary tales of Antar—a warrior and poet whose adventures reveal a world of tribal loyalty, chivalry…
Level C1ClassicsThe Literary Shop, and Other TalesStep into a nostalgic old garret filled with treasured newspapers and forgotten stories, where the voices of anxious readers and simple poems reveal a vanished literary world.
Level C1ClassicsThe Lion's ShareIn an Essex village where tradition and sharp wit collide, Audrey navigates the quiet tensions of her family estate and the ever-watchful Miss Ingate, whose keen insight into human…
Level C1ClassicsThe LimitIn a world where appearances and social strategy reign, a husband and wife navigate the delicate dance of matchmaking and societal expectations, as a dinner party becomes the stage…
Level C1ClassicsThe Lights and Shadows of Real LifeExplore the intertwining light and shadow of human experience, where adversity and moral struggle shape the path toward hope and renewal.
Level C1ClassicsThe Lighter Side of English LifeA foreign aviator’s unexpected landing in a quaint English village reveals the charming insularity and pride of its inhabitants, who see their small world as the center of all impo…
Level B2ClassicsThe Light That FailedTwo orphans endure harsh guardianship and find solace in secret pistol practice, forging a bond of resilience and defiance amid a world that offers them little kindness or comfort.
Level C1ClassicsThe Light Shines in DarknessA man transformed by grief and illness abandons tradition and wealth to live by the Gospels alone, challenging family and society with his radical faith and generosity.
Level C1ClassicsThe Light InvisibleA priest reveals his rare gift: the ability to perceive the spiritual world as vividly as the natural one, blurring the lines between seen and unseen realities.
Level C1ClassicsThe Lifted VeilA man cursed with the power to foresee his own death and future moments grapples with the burden of unrelenting insight, reflecting on a lonely life marked by lost love and relentl…
Level C1ClassicsThe Lifted BandageA judge grapples with disbelief and despair after his nephew Jack is declared a murderer by a coroner's jury, while family and friends struggle to uncover the truth behind the deva…