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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![Cover of The Cabin [La barraca] by Vicente Blasco Ibáñez](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daeva7ge1ofc73dh9n2g.webp)
Level C1ClassicsThe Cabin [La barraca]In a vibrant Mediterranean village, a humble cabin becomes the heart of a stirring tale where tradition, conflict, and the spirit of community collide, revealing the rich character…
Level C1ClassicsThe Busie BodyIn this spirited comedy of intrigue, a meddlesome character named Marplot stirs up chaos with his well-meaning blunders, setting off a lively chain of amusing and clever schemes am…
Level C1ClassicsThe Burning Spear: Being the Experiences of Mr. John Lavender in the Time of WarIn wartime England, John Lavender, a gentle and principled gentleman, strives to contribute to the national effort through frugality, patriotism, and tireless study of great speech…
Level C1ClassicsThe Burning SecretA restless baron arrives at a remote mountain hotel, craving the thrill of social and romantic adventure during his solitary spring vacation.
Level C1ClassicsThe Bunsby Papers (second series): Irish EchoesDelve into whimsical Irish traditions and legendary tales that trace the echoes of ancient myths and history, blending humor and reflection as they unfold stories from Ireland's ri…
Level C1ClassicsThe Buddha: A Drama in Five Acts and Four InterludesIn a lush ancient Indian kingdom, a young prince wrestles with grief and profound doubts about gods, faith, and tradition, seeking answers beyond rituals and caste in a world on th…
Level B2ClassicsThe Buccaneer Farmer: Published in England under the Title "Askew's Victory"A proud country gentleman faces financial strain and family tensions as his son struggles with debts and expectations of high society, setting the stage for a gripping tale of hono…
Level C1ClassicsThe BruteTrapped in a modest Harlem apartment, a couple wrestles with the harsh realities of unfulfilled dreams and the quiet desperation of a life constrained by poverty and ambition.
Level C1ClassicsThe Brownie of Bodsbeck, and Other Tales (Vol. 2 of 2)In a mystical Scottish landscape, Davie Tait prays for a miracle to save his lost ewes, only to discover that the elusive Brownie of Bodsbeck has mysteriously harvested a ripe crop…
Level C1ClassicsThe Brotherhood of ConsolationA troubled man gazes over Paris, haunted by the city's layered history and his own moral crisis, until a chance encounter with a compassionate priest sparks a journey toward hope a…
Level C1ClassicsThe Broom-SquireA weary sailor, newly bereaved and inexperienced with childcare, struggles to care for his infant daughter as he journeys through the rugged English countryside, seeking to leave h…
Level C1ClassicsThe Bright ShawlIn postwar reflections, a middle-aged man grapples with his nephew's bitter disillusionment and lack of youthful ideals, contrasting sharply with his own vibrant memories of Havana…
Level C1ClassicsThe Bridge-BuildersAn engineer battles nature, politics, and human frailty to complete a monumental bridge over the mighty Ganges, transforming a vast landscape and his own life in the process.
Level C1ClassicsThe Bride of the MistletoeIn a secluded Kentucky farmhouse, a middle-aged couple's quiet life unfolds over forty hours, revealing profound human truths without external drama.
Level C1ClassicsThe Bride of Messina, and On the Use of the Chorus in TragedyIn a city torn by bitter rivalry, a mourning mother seeks to unite her warring sons and restore peace to Messina, even as deadly hatred simmers beneath the surface.
Level C1ClassicsThe Bride of DreamsIn a fading Dutch town, a solitary man named Muralto lives quietly, burdened by profound thoughts too great for his contemporaries to accept.
Level B1ClassicsThe Bridal March; One DayIn a Norwegian valley, a legendary fiddler’s haunting Bridal March weaves through generations, shaping love and fate.
Level C1ClassicsThe BrentonsA young man stands at a crossroads between ambition and faith, guided by his mother's fervent prayers and his own doubts.
Level C1ClassicsThe Breath of the GodsIn a Washington mansion aglow with chrysanthemum-scented splendor, a young society debutante prepares for her grand coming-out party, while a poised Japanese girl and mysterious mu…
Level C1ClassicsThe Breaking of the Storm, Vol. III.Amidst sultry days and tangled emotions, Elsa uncovers a painful secret that threatens a shattered engagement and challenges the bounds of love and societal expectations.
Level C1ClassicsThe Breaking of the Storm, Vol. II.In a time of social unrest, a blind young woman and her father confront the harsh realities of conviction, loyalty, and impending loss, as their beliefs challenge the rigid world a…
Level C1ClassicsThe Bread-winners: A Social StudyIn a grand Buffland estate, a widowed army officer returns from frontier hardships to a life of wealth and comfort, torn between the refined ease of society and the rugged wilderne…
Level C1ClassicsThe Bread Line: A Story of a PaperFour struggling artists and writers in New York unite to launch a daring new paper, fueled by dreams, camaraderie, and uncertain fortunes.
Level C1ClassicsThe Bramleighs of Bishop's FollyA visionary Irish bishop builds a grand Italian-style villa in a remote mountain region, defying convention and fortune alike.
Level C1ClassicsThe BracknelsIn a household marked by tension and unspoken unrest, the arrival of a new tutor stirs curiosity and conflict among the Bracknel family, revealing sharp contrasts between parental…
Level B2ClassicsThe Boy in the BushA young Englishman arrives in the wild promise of colonial Australia, carrying only a letter, a saddle, and vague dreams of freedom.
Level B2ClassicsThe Boy Grew OlderA new father wrestles with unexpected emotions and the realities of parenthood as he visits his newborn son and confronts his wife's resentment, revealing the complex ties that bin…
Level C1ClassicsThe Bostonians, Vol. II (of II)In a modest Cambridge home, a chance visit unfolds between Basil Ransom and the radiant Verena Tarrant, whose youthful charm and newfound success captivate him amid social tensions…
Level C1ClassicsThe Bostonians, Vol. I (of II)In post-Civil War Boston, a proud Southern gentleman encounters Olive Chancellor, a fiercely honest and radical woman whose fierce ideals challenge his traditional views—sparking a…
Level C1ClassicsThe Boston Dip: A Comedy, in One ActIn a lively drawing room, a spirited mother vows to master the latest dance craze, The Boston Dip, defying her age and social expectations, while her daughters navigate flirtations…
Level C1ClassicsThe Boss of Little ArcadyIn the quirky town of Little Arcady, the enigmatic "Upright" Potts stumbles into unexpected trouble, sparking rumors and stirring the community.
Level C1ClassicsThe Bores: A Comedy in Three ActsA rapid-fire series of characters embody the many forms of boredom, each delivering sharp monologues that reveal the tediousness lurking beneath courtly life.
Level C1ClassicsThe Booming of Acre Hill, and Other Reminiscences of Urban and Suburban LifeAs Acre Hill transforms from untouched forest to bustling suburb, a determined land company battles the challenges of development, balancing nature's loss with progress and the que…![Cover of The Book-Lovers' Anthology by R. M. [Editor] Leonard](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daf2u18e1ofc73dhav0g.webp)
Level C1ClassicsThe Book-Lovers' AnthologyDive into a rich collection of reflections and tributes celebrating books as treasured companions, exploring their timeless allure, diverse forms, and profound impact on readers ac…
Level C2ClassicsThe Book-Bills of Narcissus: An Account Rendered by Richard Le GallienneDive into the curious world of Narcissus through the lens of his old book bills, where forgotten ledgers unveil the story of youth, friendship, and the quiet reveries found in a hu…
Level C2ClassicsThe Book of Three Hundred Anecdotes: Historical, Literary, and Humorous—A New SelectionDive into a vibrant collection of historical, literary, and humorous anecdotes featuring figures from kings and poets to soldiers and servants, revealing timeless tales of affectio…
Level C1ClassicsThe Book of This and ThatExplore the destructive nature of suspicion, a relentless beast twisting truth into paranoia and mistrust, from private lives to public affairs.
Level C1ClassicsThe Book of Susan: A NovelIn an early 20th-century town, a skilled mechanic with a turbulent past navigates a scandalous domestic life, while his young daughter Susan brings unexpected moments of innocence…
Level C1ClassicsThe Book of SnobsExplore the curious world of snobbery, where social pretensions and class obsessions reveal the quirks of human nature across every walk of life.
Level C1ClassicsThe Book of MonthsImmerse yourself in the vibrant, foggy streets of London where every corner reveals human stories filled with humor, reflection, and unexpected drama.
Level C1ClassicsThe Book of ChristmasCelebrate the enduring spirit of Christmas through heartfelt carols, timeless traditions, and stories that revive joy and warmth even in a world grown cynical and busy.
Level C1ClassicsThe Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun;: containing a collection of over one thousand of the most: laughable sayings and jokes of celebrated wits and: humorists.Dive into a treasury of over a thousand witty anecdotes and jokes, carefully chosen to spark genuine laughter while respecting good taste and manners.
Level C1ClassicsThe BlundererA clever servant, Mascarille, navigates a series of comedic mishaps with wit and inventiveness, exposing the follies of his master and the quirks of human nature in a lively, spiri…
Level B2ClassicsThe Blue Peter: Sea comediesA weary captain and his crew face bitter cutbacks and faded ambitions aboard the steamship Nemesis as they prepare for a foggy voyage to distant ports, caught between loyalty, loss…
Level C1ClassicsThe Blue FlowerA boy’s restless heart is captured by the longing for a mysterious Blue Flower, symbolizing the elusive quest for true happiness.
Level C1ClassicsThe Blue DuchessAn indecisive artist reflects on his unfulfilled ambitions and complex love life while recounting a real-life adventure that skirts tragedy and irony, blending art, passion, and fa…
Level C1ClassicsThe Blue Bird: A Fairy Play in Six ActsTwo children awaken on the eve of Christmas to embark on a magical quest for the elusive Blue Bird of Happiness, guided by a fairy through enchanted realms where dreams, memories,…
Level C1ClassicsThe Blossoming RodA man contemplates buying a cherished trout-rod as a rare Christmas gift to himself, wrestling with financial limits and family responsibilities, while his home buzzes with festive…