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 Humors of Falconbridge: A Collection of Humorous and Every Day ScenesFollow the unpredictable journey of a restless literary man as he ventures from Philadelphia to the Western frontier, embracing adventures from farming to theater, and ultimately f…
Level C1ClassicsThe Human Interest: A Study in IncompatibilitiesA London authoress visits a cultured but constrained Newcastle hostess, uncovering the clash between provincial gloom and artistic ambition.
Level C1ClassicsThe Human Comedy: Introductions and AppendixA relentless pursuit of genius drives a writer to confront the vast complexities of human nature and society.
Level C1ClassicsThe Human ChordA man who breathes life into his imagined worlds by discovering their true names seeks an extraordinary adventure to escape the mundane and rediscover the wonder of his childhood i…
Level C2ClassicsThe Hubble-ShueStep into a world where mystery and poetic drama intertwine, as a bewildering play unfolds with enigmatic characters and haunting scenes, leaving you to unravel the obscure motives…
Level B2ClassicsThe HoydenIn a sunlit drawing-room filled with whispered schemes and tense hopes, a mother faces the desperate necessity of her son's marriage to a spirited young woman known as the Hoyden,…
Level C1ClassicsThe House: An Episode in the Lives of Reuben Baker, Astronomer, and of His Wife, AliceA young couple dreams of building their perfect home, navigating the bittersweet realities of love, ambition, and unexpected inheritance.
Level B2ClassicsThe House with the Mezzanine and Other StoriesAn idle painter encounters the enigmatic Volchaninov family at a remote estate, where fading grandeur and quiet desolation mask deeper tensions and unspoken desires.
Level C1ClassicsThe House with the Green ShuttersIn a small Scottish town, John Gourlay stands proudly before his new house, determined to assert his dominance through his thriving business despite the quiet judgment of his neigh…
Level C1ClassicsThe House on the Moor, v. 3/3A determined young woman embarks on a solitary journey across the moor to visit her uncle in Scotland, grappling with exhaustion, secrecy, and the hope of reuniting with her brothe…
Level C1ClassicsThe House on the Moor, v. 2/3A determined young soldier returns home with ambitions and an army list, sparking intrigue about local figures and hidden family ties.
Level C1ClassicsThe House on the Moor, v. 1/3Two siblings, trapped in a gloomy moorland house, face the relentless monotony of isolation and simmering frustration—one resigned and content, the other restless and embittered by…
Level C1ClassicsThe House on the Beach: A Realistic TaleA self-made man retreats to a humble seaside home, juggling the ambitions of gentility with the stubborn habits of his mercantile past.
Level B2ClassicsThe House of the Misty Star: A Romance of Youth and Hope and Love in Old JapanIn a tranquil Japanese hilltop home, a devoted teacher reflects on decades of quiet life and distant dreams, until a mysterious letter from a student ignites a journey filled with…
Level C1ClassicsThe House of Rimmon: A Drama in Four ActsIn a fragrant Damascus garden under moonlight, a priest and a noblewoman plot to undermine a beloved war hero and sway a kingdom’s fate amid the looming threat of Assyrian conquest…
Level C1ClassicsThe House of Quiet: An AutobiographyA gentle soul, sidelined by frailty and misfortune, grapples with shattered hopes and the challenge of finding meaning and love amid life's harshest setbacks.
Level C1ClassicsThe House of MirthIn the bustling heart of New York, Lily Bart navigates society’s glittering yet unforgiving demands, her every move a delicate dance between desire and survival.
Level B2ClassicsThe House of MarthaA devoted grandson shares a quiet village life with his perceptive grandmother while reflecting on his rich experiences abroad, uncovering the subtle dynamics of family, society, a…
Level C1ClassicsThe House of HelenIn the quiet town of Shannon, where flowered porches bloom and old customs hold sway, the arrival of education and ambition stirs the delicate balance of home and society.
Level C1ClassicsThe House of Heine Brothers, in MunichIn the bustling heart of Munich, the modest yet reputable Heine Brothers bank stands as the backdrop to a tale of family, tradition, and the quiet complexities of German life.
Level C1ClassicsThe House of FulfilmentIn a clash of Northern austerity and Southern indulgence, young Harriet Blair navigates family tensions, cultural divides, and the mysterious charm of a Catholic priest during a tu…
Level C1ClassicsThe House of Defence v. 2Amid skeptical debates and personal convictions, Maud defends Christian Science while witnessing a mysterious recovery that challenges medical understanding, setting the stage for…
Level C1ClassicsThe House of Defence v. 1In a world where the mind's power over the body blurs the line between science and mystery, a compelling tale unfolds of healing, fear, and the intricate dance of nervous and organ…
Level C1ClassicsThe House of Cobwebs and Other StoriesStep into the world of a sensitive scholar struggling against the rigid conventions of Victorian literature and society.
Level C1ClassicsThe House of BaltazarIn a grand country estate turned military convalescent home, a young officer named Baltazar grapples with the physical and emotional scars of war, his restless spirit caught betwee…
Level C1ClassicsThe House of Atreus; Being the Agamemnon, the Libation bearers, and the FuriesA watchman anxiously awaits news from the Trojan War, while the palace of Atreus brims with tension and foreboding.
Level C1ClassicsThe House of ArmourAmid the rugged beauty of Nova Scotia’s harbor, a young woman returns to her native land, haunted by loss and longing, where the sea’s secrets and a mysterious companion hint at a…
Level C1ClassicsThe House by the Medlar-TreeIn a humble Sicilian fishing village, the Malavoglia family faces the harsh realities of life, love, and honor, revealing the timeless struggles and deep humanity beneath their sim…
Level C1ClassicsThe House Behind the CedarsA man returns to his Southern hometown years after the Civil War, confronting the scars of destruction and the complex legacies of race and memory.
Level B2ClassicsThe Horse-Stealers and Other StoriesCaught in a fierce snowstorm, a hapless hospital assistant lost his way and stumbles upon a remote tavern run by suspicious characters with shady pasts.
Level C1ClassicsThe Honour of the FlagOn the bustling banks of the Thames in 1851, a retired tailor’s curious annual tradition and a scarred old sailor’s unexpected inheritance set the stage for a stirring tale of hono…
Level B2ClassicsThe Honour of the ClintonsTwin sisters reunite amid the tranquil English countryside, but tensions simmer beneath the surface when family disapproval and a controversial weekend party challenge their bonds…
Level B2ClassicsThe Honorable Senator Sage-BrushIn a world of political intrigue and social upheaval, a young man grapples with love and loyalty amid the backdrop of a senator's powerful family.
Level B2ClassicsThe Honorable PercivalA disillusioned English nobleman jilted by his perfect fiancée escapes to America, convinced he has experienced all life has to offer—until unexpected encounters aboard a Pacific l…
Level C1ClassicsThe Honorable Miss MoonlightOn the eve of his arranged marriage, a young nobleman escapes into the dazzling nightlife of the city’s pleasure quarters, torn between duty and the yearning for a freer, more pass…
Level C1ClassicsThe Honeymoon: A comedy in three actsNewlyweds Flora and Cedric navigate the exhilarating uncertainties of their honeymoon, balancing nervous excitement with bold plans for adventure beyond a quiet seaside town.
Level C1ClassicsThe Home; Or, Life in SwedenIn a Swedish household, a spirited debate over home improvements sparks deeper reflections on daily life, family dynamics, and social challenges.
Level C1ClassicsThe Home in the ValleyNestled in a picturesque valley by Lake Wenner, a young maiden named Nanna lives a life touched by both tender care and lingering sorrow.
Level C1ClassicsThe Home at GreylockIn a large home filled with love and loss, a devoted mother and her youngest daughter share an unbreakable bond until tragedy strikes, challenging faith and resilience in the face…
Level C1ClassicsThe Home MissionA grieving mother, overwhelmed by loss, finds solace in a visionary dream where hope and heavenly comfort intertwine with the enduring bonds of home and family.
Level C1ClassicsThe Holy War, Made by King Shaddai Upon Diabolus, for the Regaining of the Metropolis of the World; Or, The Losing and Taking Again of the Town of MansoulIn a spiritual allegory of epic conflict, a city called Mansoul is besieged as forces of good and evil vie for control over its soul, revealing timeless struggles of faith, temptat…
Level C1ClassicsThe Holy Cross and Other TalesDive into a collection of whimsical and tender tales that blend mirth with heartfelt reflections, capturing the spirit of a jester who delights in friendship, childhood, and the po…
Level C1ClassicsThe Holly-TreeA bashful man, heartbroken by lost love, embarks on a solitary winter journey across a frozen England, seeking solace and discovery at the remote Holly-Tree Inn where unexpected en…
Level C1ClassicsThe Hohenzollerns in America: With the Bolsheviks in Berlin and Other ImpossibilitiesFallen German royals, stripped of their titles and wealth, embark on a humble voyage to America as ordinary immigrants, facing ridicule, hardship, and the challenge of starting ane…
Level C1ClassicsThe History of Sir Charles Grandison, Volume 4 (of 7)Amidst formal visits, family trials, and delicate negotiations, Sir Charles Grandison navigates complex relationships and social expectations, while grappling with news of friends’…
Level C1ClassicsThe History of Samuel Titmarsh and the Great Hoggarty DiamondA young man’s holiday with his wealthy aunt turns mysterious when she gifts him a curious family locket rumored to hold the Great Hoggarty Diamond, sparking intrigue amid secrets,…
Level C1ClassicsThe History of Mr. PollyPlagued by indigestion and a deep sense of dissatisfaction, Mr.
Level C1ClassicsThe History of Miss Betsy ThoughtlessIn a genteel boarding school, young Betsy Thoughtless navigates friendship, secret romances, and the lessons of courtship as she becomes entwined in the clandestine love affairs of…