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 Garies and Their FriendsIn a Philadelphia divided by freedom and slavery, a distinguished free African American family navigates social challenges and aspirations amid a society shaped by race and resilie…
Level B2ClassicsThe Garden Party, and Other StoriesMisty mornings at Crescent Bay set the stage for intertwined lives and fleeting moments, where nature’s delicate beauty mirrors the subtle dramas of everyday existence.
Level C1ClassicsThe Garden God: A Tale of Two BoysA retired scholar reflects on a life of quiet solitude, cherishing memories both real and imagined, as he contemplates love, friendship, and the passage of time in a peaceful, time…
Level C1ClassicsThe Gamester (1753)A gripping exploration of gambling’s destructive grip on a man’s life unfolds in this powerful middle-class tragedy.
Level C1ClassicsThe Game of Chess: A Play in One ActIn a richly appointed room, two men engage in a tense chess game that mirrors political strategy and personal cunning, while a mysterious visitor arrives, prompting secrets and pow…
Level C1ClassicsThe GameA young boxer faces the final fight that promises a fresh start with his love, yet the brutal pull of the ring challenges their bond and reveals the fierce, unyielding man beneath…
Level C1ClassicsThe Gambler: A NovelA reserved Englishman journeys through misty Irish roads to visit an old friend after decades apart, uncovering contrasts between their lives and the vibrant spirit of Ireland’s ru…
Level C1ClassicsThe GamblerIn a glittering casino town, a tutor entangled with aristocrats struggles against his own gambling addiction while navigating secrets, debts, and high society’s shifting alliances.
Level C1ClassicsThe Fête At Coqueville: 1907In the isolated fishing village of Coqueville, two rival families—the ancient Mahés and the rising Floches—battle for power and pride amid harsh seas and fierce enmity, while a for…
Level B2ClassicsThe Funny Bone: Short Stories and Amusing Anecdotes for a Dull HourDive into a collection of witty anecdotes, clever axiom, and humorous tales where sharp observations and playful twists bring everyday moments to life with charm and laughter.
Level C1ClassicsThe Fugitive: A Play in Four ActsTensions simmer in a London drawing-room as George Dedmond confronts the mysterious absence of his wife Clare on a night meant for Bridge and social games.
Level C1ClassicsThe Front Yard, and Other Italian StoriesIn a sun-drenched Italian town, Prudence Wilkin battles the grime and decay that mar her new home, fixating on a decrepit cow-shed blocking her path as she dreams of reclaiming her…
Level C1ClassicsThe FrogsWhen the god Dionysus longs to bring back the golden age of Greek tragedy, he journeys to the underworld to challenge the spirits of great playwrights and restore true artistry to…
Level B2ClassicsThe Friendly Road: New Adventures in ContentmentSet out on a peaceful journey along country roads, where the simple joys of springtime and the warmth of unexpected friendships invite you to discover contentment beyond the everyd…
Level C1ClassicsThe FreelandsIn the quiet English countryside, a laborer faces an uncertain future as life stirs around him, while in London, Felix Freeland navigates a world of cultural critique and social ob…
Level C1ClassicsThe Free PressIn a world dominated by corrupt and controlled media, a small but powerful Free Press rises to expose the truth and challenge the lies that shape politics and society.
Level C1ClassicsThe Fourth GenerationGenerations bear the weight of ancestral actions—sometimes as a burden, sometimes as a ladder to rise.
Level C1ClassicsThe Fourth Estate, vol. 2Two daring friends navigate the lively streets and social intrigues of Sarrio, where youthful rebellion, secret romances, and sharp rivalries unfold under the cover of night.
Level C1ClassicsThe Fourth Estate, vol. 1In a humble coastal town's modest theater, the local residents find escape and drama mirroring grand stages like Milan’s La Scala, weaving together the lives of seamen, traders, an…
Level B2ClassicsThe Four MillionIn the bustling streets of New York, Tobin's quest to find his lost love Katie Mahorner leads him to a mysterious palmist whose eerie predictions hint at sorrow, fortune, and unexp…
Level B2ClassicsThe Foundations (An Extravagant Play)In a grand Park Lane mansion, young Anne Dromondy’s innocent questions reveal simmering tensions beneath the surface of post-war British society, where class divides and the threat…
Level C1ClassicsThe Fortunes of the Colville Family; or, A Cloud with its Silver LiningIn the shadow of loss, a grieving family navigates the delicate balance between sorrow and hope during a Christmas marked by absence and resilience.
Level C1ClassicsThe Fortunes of Oliver HornIn the fragrant, sunlit Kennedy Square of the 1850s, the enigmatic inventor Richard Horn and his elusive son Oliver weave a tale of invention, art, and youthful mystery amid charmi…
Level C1ClassicsThe Fortunes of GlencoreIn a world where polished society masks deep passions and shifting motives, the tale of Glencore unfolds through keen observations of character and the subtle complexities of human…
Level B2ClassicsThe Fortune of the LandraysA weary boy and his father journey toward Benson, a town changed by time and memory.
Level C1ClassicsThe Fortunate YouthIn a grim northern town, young Paul Kegworthy stands out with his striking beauty amidst a harsh, loveless household ruled by his cruel stepfather and resentful mother.
Level C1ClassicsThe Fortunate Foundlings: Being the Genuine History of Colonel M——Rs, and His Sister, Madam Du P——Y, the Issue of the Hon. Ch——Es M——Rs, Son of the Late Duke of R—— L——D. Containing Many Wonderful Accidents That Befel Them in Their Travels, and Interspersed with the Characters and Adventures of Several Persons of Condition, In the Most Polite Courts of Europe. the Whole Calculated for the Entertainment and Improvement of the Youth of Both Sexes.Two foundlings of noble descent navigate perilous adventures and courtly intrigues across Europe, facing battles, betrayals, and unexpected alliances.
ClassicsThe Forsyte saga - CompleteWealth, passion, and family honor collide in the lives of the Forsytes, a Victorian dynasty grappling with the clash between tradition and desire.
Level C1ClassicsThe Forlorn Hope: A Novel (Vol. 2 of 2)Amidst London’s high society, a man grapples with the unexpected depth of his grief over his wife’s death, while those around him navigate delicate social facades and hidden emotio…
Level C1ClassicsThe Forlorn Hope: A Novel (Vol. 1 of 2)In the remote, mist-shrouded Highlands, Sir Duncan Forbes arrives at Kilsyth amidst a gathering of intriguing military and noble guests, while a mysterious illness befalls Miss Kil…
Level C1ClassicsThe Forgery; or, Best Intentions.A distinguished English merchant balances family life and vast business dealings in an era when commerce is both an art and a duty.
Level B2ClassicsThe ForfeitTwo partners seize a bold chance to expand their Montana ranching empire by buying a promising, yet challenging, wheat and grazing land—where sharp business acumen meets rugged fro…
Level C1ClassicsThe Forest SchoolmasterIn a remote Austrian mountain village, a young man escapes the hardships of peasant life through a passion for literature he crafts by hand.
Level B2ClassicsThe Forbidden TrailIn a quiet village summer, a sharp-witted boy named Roger struggles with friendship, jealousy, and his own fierce temper, as childhood games spark fierce rivalries and tender bonds…
Level B2ClassicsThe Foolish VirginIn a rapidly changing New York, Mary Adams resists her friend's urging to pose for a renowned artist, sparking a clash of ideals about women's roles, independence, and the pursuit…![Cover of The Foolish Dictionary: An exhausting work of reference to un-certain English words, their origin, meaning, legitimate and illegitimate use, confused by a few pictures [not included] by Gideon Wurdz](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dagf3j0sac3c73afmcig.webp)
Level C1ClassicsThe Foolish Dictionary: An exhausting work of reference to un-certain English words, their origin, meaning, legitimate and illegitimate use, confused by a few pictures [not included]Dive into a whimsical lexicon where words are playfully redefined with wit and satire, blending humor, puns, and clever observations on language and life.
Level C1ClassicsThe Folly Of Eustace: 1896At sixteen, Eustace Lane chooses to wear the mask of a buffoon, embracing a life of whimsical caricature and satire to gain fame without toil.
Level C1ClassicsThe Follies of a Day; or, The Marriage of Figaro: A comedy, as it is now performing at the Theatre-Royal, Covent-Garden. From the French of M. de BeaumarchaisIn a single day filled with wit and intrigue, Figaro and Susanna navigate love, deception, and social cunning within the walls of Count Almaviva’s castle, where every measurement a…
Level C1ClassicsThe Flying U RanchA flamboyant stranger from the Golden Gate arrives at the Flying U Ranch, his dazzling attire and confident air stirring suspicion and intrigue among the rugged, tight-knit ranch h…
Level C1ClassicsThe Flying Doctor: (Le Médecin Volant)A clever young man enlists his bumbling servant to impersonate a doctor and outwit a greedy uncle determined to marry off his beloved cousin against her will.
Level C1ClassicsThe Flower of the Flock, Volume 3 (of 3)A young woman returns home after a mysterious, scandalous absence, confronting her proud father’s demands for answers amid family tensions and secrets.
Level C1ClassicsThe Flower of ForgivenessA rare Himalayan flower, said to embody the remission of sins, draws pilgrims to the Cave of Amar-nâth in a vivid exploration of faith, culture, and the quest for forgiveness amid…
Level B2ClassicsThe Flower Girl of The Château d'Eau, v.1 (Novels of Paul de Kock Volume XV)In the bustling flower market of 1853 Paris, a vibrant family navigates the charms and challenges of life amid sunlit boulevards and blooming petals.
Level B2ClassicsThe FloodA prosperous farmer reflects on his loving family and bountiful land, preparing for a joyful wedding day filled with hope and unity.
Level C1ClassicsThe Flight of the ShadowAn elderly narrator reflects on her humble origins and the deep connection to nature that shaped her life, setting the stage for a tale of family secrets, rural beauty, and heartfe…
Level C1ClassicsThe Flaw in the SapphireA young man with a striking resemblance to famed statesmen struggles to escape his humble trade of collecting old clothes in Philadelphia.
Level C1ClassicsThe Flaw in the CrystalCaught between a fragile marriage and a mysterious, unspoken bond, Rodney finds refuge in Agatha, who harbors a secret power over him—one that could heal or control, but at a terri…
Level C2ClassicsThe FlameA feverish passion ignites amid the shadowy canals of Italy, where sudden discoveries illuminate the dark recesses of the human spirit.