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 B2ClassicsSimeon Tetlow's ShadowIn a bustling railroad office, Simeon Tetlow, a relentless and powerful president, clashes with his young assistant John Bennett, whose quiet resignation reveals deeper struggles a…
Level B2ClassicsSilver Pitchers: and Independence, a Centennial Love StoryThree young women face a scandal at a town festival when secret brandy spoils the evening, prompting them to lead a bold social boycott that challenges their community’s customs an…
Level C1ClassicsSilent StrugglesAmid a fierce Boston storm, two unlikely companions meet on a windswept hill, both drawn by a restless hope and an urgent secret loomed in the turbulent sea.
Level B2ClassicsSilence, and other storiesIn a snowbound village shadowed by the threat of war, Silence senses a lurking danger despite reassurances of safety.
Level C1ClassicsSilas Strong, Emperor of the WoodsIn the fading wilderness of the Adirondacks, Silas Strong—the rugged "Emperor of the Woods"—stands as a living symbol of a vanishing world.
Level B2ClassicsSigning the Contract, and What It CostA chance glimpse of a desperate woman seen from a speeding train sparks a journey into hardship and sorrow.
Level B2ClassicsSielanka: An IdyllNestled in a tranquil forest clearing, a humble forester’s home thrives amid blooming flowers and whispering trees, where young Kasya learns life's gentle lessons from nature’s qui…
Level B2ClassicsSide-stepping with ShortyWhen a tough-talking physical culture expert is hired by a wealthy, demanding client, he faces the challenge of transforming a high-society man out of shape—on terms that test his…
Level C1ClassicsSide LightsImmerse yourself in the life of a towering, passionate schoolmaster who transforms a London slum with fierce kindness and relentless energy, battling injustice both in the classroo…
Level C1ClassicsSibyllaA young student torn between his passion for knowledge and his family’s expectations faces a difficult choice that challenges duty, love, and the pursuit of his true calling.
Level B2ClassicsShorty McCabe on the JobWhen a tough streetfighter crosses paths with a polished conman claiming a mysterious legal summons, a gritty showdown unfolds, blending raw brawls with sharp wit in a city where t…
Level B2ClassicsShorty McCabeA former boxer turned trainer teams up with the enigmatic Leonidas Dodge, a slick salesman with a mysterious product, as they navigate the gritty streets and high-stakes hustle of…
Level C1ClassicsShorter novels, vol. 3Explore the final echoes of Augustan thought alongside the dawn of Romantic imagination through three tales that journey from philosophical reflection to gothic mystery and exotic…
Level C1ClassicsShorter Prose PiecesWitty and provocative aphorisms challenge conventions on art, society, and identity, while vivid portraits explore beauty’s timeless influence.
Level C1ClassicsShort-story masterpieces, Vol. 2Dive into a rich collection of French short stories that explore the intricate lives and vivid characters crafted with detailed settings and psychological depth, showcasing a liter…
Level C1ClassicsShort-story masterpieces, Vol. 1Explore the essence of French storytelling through vivid tales that capture national spirit, character, and local color with precision and charm.
Level C1ClassicsShort story writingUnlock the secrets behind crafting compelling short stories with guidance drawn from the masters.
Level C2ClassicsShort story classics (Foreign), Vol. 5, French IIA woman freshly released from prison, condemned for infanticide, wanders through a harsh November night seeking shelter and compassion in a cold world that shuns her.
Level C1ClassicsShort story classics (Foreign), Vol. 4, French IA young artist, trembling with reverence and self-doubt, seeks entry into the studio of a revered master in 1612 Paris, where passion and talent collide in a world of artistic ambi…
Level C1ClassicsShort story classics (Foreign), Vol. 3, GermanIn a sun-drenched Provençal village famed for its beauty, Marietta’s arrival stirs hearts and rivalries alike, as her charm captivates every young man—threatening peace and sparkin…
Level C1ClassicsShort story classics (Foreign), Vol. 2, Italian and ScandinavianA distinguished Egyptologist and professor unpacks a trove of books, stirring memories and rivalries that reveal the passionate world of academic discovery and the delicate balance…
Level C1ClassicsShort story classics (Foreign), Vol. 1, RussianExplore a rich collection of seventy-eight compelling short stories from Russian literature, featuring works by Pushkin, Gogol, Turgenev, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, and Chekhov, capturin…![Cover of Short stories from Life: The 81 prize stories in "Life's" Shortest Story Contest by Thomas L. etc.] Masson](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dafd1qta8p2c739itea0.webp)
Level C1ClassicsShort stories from Life: The 81 prize stories in "Life's" Shortest Story ContestDive into a unique collection of 81 prize-winning stories crafted under a daring contest challenge: how short can a story be and still captivate?
Level C1ClassicsShort and Sweet: A Comic Drama, in One ActIn a charming London apartment near the Crystal Palace, two wives navigate the quirks of their busy husbands and a planned afternoon ride that promises aristocratic adventure and u…
Level C1ClassicsShort Stories for English CoursesDive into a curated collection of short stories designed to captivate adolescent readers with vivid moments of adventure, character, and setting.
Level B2ClassicsShort Stories Old and NewExplore a rich collection of stories where vivid settings, intricate plots, and compelling characters intertwine—from ancient Persian courts to haunting American tales—each crafted…
Level B2ClassicsShort StoriesA solitary bachelor’s quiet life is disrupted when his cook insists on taking in a mysterious lodger—a seasoned soldier with a penchant for storytelling—whose presence soon unveils…
Level C1ClassicsShireen and her Friends: Pages from the Life of a Persian CatFollow the elegant Persian cat Shireen as she navigates life at Uncle Ben’s cozy seaside bungalow, where gentle breezes and whispered waves set the stage for charming adventures an…
Level C1ClassicsShips that pass in the nightIn a foreign sanatorium, a weary newcomer meets a cynical man whose bleak outlook challenges her fragile hope for recovery.
Level C1ClassicsShining FerryIn a bustling harbor town, John Rosewarne, a powerful shipping magnate, contemplates his life and legacy on his birthday, as the tides of trade and family fortunes ebb and flow aro…
Level C1ClassicsSheppard Lee, Written by Himself. Vol. 2 (of 2)Caught in a whirlwind of transformations, a man loses his identity while navigating the passions and follies of those around him, from miserly children to unexpected attachments, r…
Level C1ClassicsSheppard Lee, Written by Himself. Vol. 1 (of 2)A penniless man navigates the trials of poverty, politics, and love with wit and ingenuity, uncovering unexpected fortunes and misadventures along the way.
Level B2ClassicsShenac's Work at HomeAmid the sorrow of forced exile from Scotland, two Highland cousins forge new lives in the wild Canadian forests, facing the hardships of pioneering while preserving their cherishe…
Level C2ClassicsShelley: An EssayExplore the complex relationship between poetry and the Church as this essay argues for the restoration of poetry’s sacred role, urging faith to embrace beauty and inspiration rath…
Level C1ClassicsShelleyExplore the brief, brilliant life of a visionary poet whose complex genius and untimely death left the world yearning for the masterpieces he might have created, revealing the prof…
Level C1ClassicsShelleyExplore the turbulent life and mind of a poet whose fierce sincerity and boundless benevolence challenged the oppressive politics and stifling hypocrisy of early 19th-century Engla…
Level C1ClassicsSheared cream o' wit: A classified compilation of the best wit and humorDive into a lively anthology of humor and wit, featuring clever anecdotes, playful verses, and sharp observations gathered from decades of laughter.
Level C1ClassicsShe's All the World to MeIn a mist-shrouded Manx mansion, a family's legacy unravels through a father's stern discipline and a son's restless heart, set against the haunting backdrop of a rugged island fis…
Level C1ClassicsShe and he; Lavinia; MemoirA young girl born into a world of aristocratic contrasts navigates the turbulent bonds of family, love, and loss in a tale set against the backdrop of France’s shifting social land…
Level C1ClassicsShe Stoops to Conquer; Or, The Mistakes of a Night: A ComedyIn a charming old mansion, family tensions and mistaken identities collide as a witty young woman devises a bold plan to win the heart of a shy gentleman, leading to a night full o…
Level B2ClassicsShavings: A NovelIn a bustling New England town, Gabriel Bearse stumbles upon vibrant windmills and wooden toys crafted by a mysterious artisan, sparking a wave of gossip and curiosity that promise…
Level C1ClassicsShapes that Haunt the DuskOn a cold Christmas Eve, Mary slips quietly into a silent barn under a moonlit sky, where shadows and mysterious shapes seem to stir in the stillness.
Level C1ClassicsShallow SoilA young man’s journey from hardship in Norway’s rugged north to the struggles and dreams of city life unfolds with stark realism and intense introspection, revealing the raw challe…
Level C1ClassicsShakspere, Personal RecollectionsStep into a soul-lit journey through the life and genius of Shakespeare as seen through the eyes of a timeless narrator who claims a spiritual bond spanning centuries.![Cover of Shakspeare's Mental Photographs by Anonymous [Compiler]](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da8n8ntnmvfc73bier8g.webp)
Level B2ClassicsShakspeare's Mental PhotographsDelve into a unique game exploring Shakespeare’s mind through ten intriguing questions and twenty possible answers each, inviting readers to uncover hidden facets of his genius by…
Level C1ClassicsShakespearean Tragedy: Lectures on Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, MacbethExplore the inner workings of Shakespeare's greatest tragedies as vivid imagination meets detailed analysis, revealing the shared substance and structure behind Hamlet, Othello, Ki…
Level C1ClassicsShakespeare: A LectureDiscover the humble origins and extraordinary genius of a man who transformed the world through words, rising from a small English village to become the unparalleled master of dram…
Level C1ClassicsShakespeare's play of the Merchant of Venice: Arranged for Representation at the Princess's Theatre, with Historical and Explanatory Notes by Charles Kean, F.S.A.In Venice's vibrant streets, a merchant's fortunes and a wealthy heiress's fate intertwine amid themes of mercy, justice, and love.