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 C1ClassicsStories by American Authors, Volume 8In the tense darkness before battle, a brigade commander’s ruthless leadership stirs fierce loyalty among his soldiers, who brace for a fight that will test their courage and camar…
Level C1ClassicsStories by American Authors, Volume 7In a lively Southern town where charm and hardship intertwine, a kind-hearted bishop befriends Demming, a witty vagabond whose tales and antics reveal the complexities beneath pict…
Level B2ClassicsStories by American Authors, Volume 6A young man recently released from prison returns to his small village, where suspicion and sympathy mingle as he struggles to rebuild his life amid wary neighbors and old ties.
Level C1ClassicsStories by American Authors, Volume 5A disillusioned man returns to America, grappling with lost pleasures and searching for meaning in a familiar yet changed world.
Level C1ClassicsStories by American Authors, Volume 3Step into a theater where the boundaries between sound and thought blur, and discover a mysterious nook that reveals the secret inner lives of a diverse audience, unveiling hidden…
Level C1ClassicsStories by American Authors, Volume 2A mysterious ghost haunts the country home of John Hinckman, but this spirit’s existence is far from ordinary—tied to a strange case of mistaken death and uneasy secrets beneath th…
Level C1ClassicsStories by American Authors, Volume 10In the charming city of Monterey, where centuries-old traditions and picturesque streets enchant, young Pancha cherishes her humble home amidst the vibrant life of her beloved town…
Level C1ClassicsStories by American Authors, Volume 1A man reflects on a mysterious encounter at Wampsocket Springs, where a secretive woman’s footprints lead him to a wild, enchanting glen—a place both lonely and captivating, where…
Level C1ClassicsStories by American Authors (Volume 4)A young, successful literary man in Rome finds his orderly life disrupted when a mysterious woman named Miss Grief persistently calls on him without explanation, igniting curiosity…
Level C1ClassicsStories and Sketches by our best authorsA young physician, haunted by loss and professional struggles, receives an unexpected invitation to treat a mysterious illness involving mental disease, challenging his skills and…
Level B2ClassicsStories and SketchesIn a rural farming village, a mysterious, aged-looking boy named Terry Dolan carries the weight of a harsh past from Ireland while battling loneliness and fear in his new home, whe…
Level C1ClassicsStories and PicturesIn a world where faith, superstition, and daily struggles intertwine, the mysterious Rebbe of Nemirov vanishes every Friday morning, sparking curiosity and wonder among his communi…
Level C1ClassicsStories That End WellA young socialist heiress inspired by an idealistic vision of a better society hires a cook and maid to help her transform her household with modern conveniences and a new way of l…
Level C1ClassicsStories By English Authors: Italy (Selected by Scribners)In the shadow of a grand estate, a delicate young man named Richard Luscombe navigates the high-stakes thrill of gambling and speculation, revealing the risks and passions hidden b…
Level C1ClassicsStonepasturesIn a grim industrial town where narrow-gauge tracks replace streets, workers endure perilous labor, poverty, and the haunting cinder flare known as "The eye of God.
Level B2ClassicsStill JimIn a struggling New England quarry town, young Jim grapples with his father's pride, immigrant workers, and the fading legacy of their forefathers as he dreams of his own place in…
Level C1ClassicsStevensoniana: Being a Reprint of Various Literary and Pictorial Miscellany Associated with Robert Louis Stevenson, the Man and His WorkExplore the early life and literary rise of a visionary writer whose restless spirit and vivid imagination shaped timeless adventures and essays.
Level C1ClassicsStevenson's Perfect Virtues, as Exemplified by Leigh HuntExplore the warmth and wisdom of a gentle, cheerful soul whose home welcomed literary giants and whose life embodied kindness, resilience, and simple joys.
Level C1ClassicsSterneExplore the elusive life of Laurence Sterne, tracing his journey from turbulent birth through his formative years, academic pursuits, and literary triumphs, revealing the man behin…![Cover of Stepping backwards [Night watches, Part 5.] by W. Jacobs](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da6jn92pmtvc73csnnp0.webp)
Level B2ClassicsStepping backwards [Night watches, Part 5.]A man in his fifties, tired of being mistaken for his elders, undergoes a dramatic transformation by shaving and dyeing his hair, only to face the shock and disbelief of those who…
Level B2ClassicsStepping HeavenwardA spirited sixteen-year-old girl begins a journal to confront her flaws and fulfill her mother's hopes, navigating self-doubt, family tensions, and the challenges of growing up wit…
Level C1ClassicsStentorExplore the vibrant evolution of newspapers from ancient scrolls to modern dailies, revealing their role in shaping public opinion, culture, and democracy through news, advertiseme…
Level C1ClassicsStavrogin's Confession and The Plan of The Life of a Great Sinner: With Introductory and Explanatory NotesUncover the hidden depths of a tormented soul through unpublished confessions and lost chapters revealing the complex psyche behind revolutionary turmoil and personal torment in 19…
Level B2ClassicsStarr, of the DesertIn a bustling city, Peter Stevenson grapples with his wife Helen May’s fragile health and a doctor's urgent advice to seek a radical change of climate.
Level C1ClassicsStanford Stories: Tales of a Young UniversityAmid the blossoming gardens and festive receptions of a Stanford winter, a young mandolin player navigates college life, music tours, and a captivating encounter with a charming Lo…
Level C1ClassicsStandard Selections: A Collection and Adaptation of Superior Productions from Best Authors for Use in Class Room and on the PlatformExplore a powerful collection of eloquent selections designed to inspire public speaking, featuring vivid narratives, stirring oratory, and dramatic scenes that bring timeless them…
Level B2ClassicsStand Pat; Or, Poker Stories from the MississippiIn a quiet Mississippi town, a spirited poker game unfolds among colorful locals, each raising stakes and tensions as the arrival of a riverboat looms.
Level C1ClassicsStand Fast, Craig-Royston! (Volume I)In Victorian London, an enigmatic grandfather and his quietly captivating granddaughter seek to unite scattered Scots worldwide through shared heritage and heartfelt poetry, reveal…
Level B2ClassicsStage-LandStep into the chaotic world of George, the hapless stage hero whose life is a tangled mess of mistaken crimes, lost estates, and baffling legal woes.
Level C1ClassicsStage Confidences: Talks About Players and Play ActingA seasoned actress offers candid advice to aspiring young women dreaming of the stage, revealing the fierce competition, harsh realities, and rare chances for success in the crowde…
Level C1ClassicsStaccato Notes of a Vanished Summer (from Literature and Life)As a fierce storm brews off the coast, a tranquil summer returns to a seaside village where the rhythms of life revolve around mail deliveries and the lingering spirit of a fading…
Level C1ClassicsSt. Patrick's Day; Or, The Scheming Lieutenant: A Farce in One ActIn a lively English town, Lieutenant O’Connor faces unruly soldiers and a stern justice who opposes his romance with the justice’s daughter, sparking a playful plot full of farcica…
Level B2ClassicsSt. Cuthbert'sA struggling minister faces a pivotal opportunity to preach at the revered St.
Level C1ClassicsSt. Bernard's: The Romance of a Medical StudentA determined young medical student joins the prestigious St.
Level B2ClassicsSt. Andrews Ghost StoriesAn artist exploring eerie coastal legends encounters a mysterious, one-eyed monk who leads him through shadowy caves and ancient traps beneath St Andrews.
Level C1ClassicsSquire PhinIn the sleepy village of Palermo, a parade of eccentric locals and a city visitor stir quiet summer days, weaving a tapestry of rural life marked by small-town quirks, simmering te…
Level C1ClassicsSquire Arden; volume 3 of 3Tensions rise as Arthur Arden confronts Mrs.
Level C1ClassicsSquire Arden; volume 2 of 3A young man wrestles with his duty to protect his sister Clare as she navigates a complex and uncertain romance with their questionable cousin.
Level C1ClassicsSquire Arden; volume 1 of 3In a quaint village where joy bells ring for a returning heir, the young Squire Arden arrives home to claim his place—bringing hope, memories, and a stirring change to the close-kn…
Level C1ClassicsSpring DaysAn overlooked novel grapples with rejection and revival as its author confronts harsh criticism and unexpected praise, revealing the complex journey of a work misunderstood in its…
Level B2ClassicsSport Royal, and Other StoriesIntrigue and danger unfold in Heidelberg when Julius Jason accepts a mysterious invitation involving a royal secret and a risky early-morning duel.
Level C1ClassicsSpiritual vampirism: The history of Etherial Softdown, and her friends of the "New Light"An enigmatic cabinet, left by a mysterious friend, contains startling revelations about spiritual vampirism and the hidden forces influencing mankind.
Level C2ClassicsSpiritual Tales: Re-issue of the Shorter Stories of Fiona Macleod; Rearranged, with Additional TalesExiled and accused, a noble herdsman finds refuge on the mysterious Isle of Iona, where ancient legends and sacred oaths intertwine with the birth of a child destined for greatness…
Level B2ClassicsSpiritual AdventuresA restless boy with no true home struggles to learn and find his place in a world that suddenly demands order and knowledge.
Level C1ClassicsSpinster of This ParishIn a meticulously kept London maisonette, a young woman seeks solace from a reserved, elegant spinster whose quiet life conceals untold stories.
Level C1ClassicsSpeed the ploughIn a bustling English countryside, Farmer Ashfield and his wife navigate market rivalries and social gossip, while unexpected visitors stir curiosity and comedic intrigue, blending…
Level C1ClassicsSpecimens of Greek Tragedy — Aeschylus and SophoclesStep into the origins of Greek drama, where dance, song, and masked actors bring mythical heroes and gods to life, unfolding the rich evolution of tragedy from choral hymns to powe…
Level C1ClassicsSpecial Method in the Reading of Complete English Classics: In the Grades of the Common SchoolExplore the transformative power of literature in education as this guide reveals how introducing classic works to schoolchildren can awaken their minds and hearts, enriching teach…