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 C1ClassicsShakespeare's legal maximsExplore the hidden legal wisdom woven seamlessly into Shakespeare's works, revealing his profound understanding of English law and its maxims through insightful analysis and precis…
Level C1ClassicsShakespeare's daughtersShakespeare’s iconic heroines gather in a mystical glade, wrestling with love, identity, and the challenges of living in a world shaped by men’s expectations.
Level C1ClassicsShakespeare's Insomnia, and the Causes ThereofExplore the restless nights and troubled minds of men past youth, as revealed through Shakespeare’s keen observations and timeless reflections on insomnia, its causes, and its grip…
Level C2ClassicsShakespeare's First FolioDive into the original texts of Shakespeare’s comedies, histories, and tragedies as preserved in the First Folio, complete with authentic spellings, printing quirks, and editorial…
Level C1ClassicsShakespeare's Christmas, and other storiesStep into the lively world of a 1598 Christmas Eve at Shoreditch Theatre, where familiar characters like Falstaff and Prince Hal ignite uproarious laughter and mystery amid swirlin…
Level C1ClassicsShakespeare's Bones: The Proposal to Disinter Them, Considered in Relation to Their Possible Bearing on His Portraiture: Illustrated by Instances of Visits of the Living to the DeadA thoughtful exploration of the proposal to exhume Shakespeare’s remains, examining how such an act could illuminate his true likeness and honor his legacy, while reflecting on the…
Level C1ClassicsShakespeare as a Dramatic Artist: A Popular Illustration of the Principles of Scientific CriticismExplore a revolutionary approach to Shakespeare that reveals his mastery of dramatic art through scientific criticism, focusing on five key plays to uncover the techniques behind h…
Level C1ClassicsShakespeare and Precious Stones: Treating of the Known References of Precious Stones in Shakespeare's Works, with Comments as to the Origin of His Material, the Knowledge of the Poet Concerning Precious Stones, and References as to Where the Precious Stones of His Time Came fromExplore the rich symbolism and historical context of precious stones as they appear in Shakespeare's works, revealing the poet's knowledge and the sources of gems in his time.
Level C1ClassicsShakespeare and His Love: A Play in Four Acts and an EpilogueExplore the intimate life and passions behind the genius of Shakespeare, revealing the man reflected in his iconic characters and the love that inspired them.
Level C1ClassicsShakespeare Study Programs; The ComediesDive into the lively world of mistaken identities and farcical twists as Shakespeare transforms a Roman comedy into a spirited English play filled with new characters and unexpecte…
Level C2ClassicsShakespeare Jest-Books: Reprints of the Early and Very Rare Jest-Books Supposed to Have Been Used by ShakespeareDive into a treasure trove of rare, early jest-books that inspired Shakespeare and reveal the wit and satire of 16th-century England, including lost tales, scandalous critiques, an…
Level C1ClassicsShadows and sunbeams: Being a second series of Fern leaves from Fanny's portfolioA young woman recalls the warmth and simplicity of her childhood home, only to face harsh realities and cold dependence after her father’s death.
Level C1ClassicsSganarelle, or, the Self-Deceived HusbandA jealous husband becomes convinced of his wife's infidelity through a series of misunderstandings, leading to uproarious attempts at revenge fueled by his own cowardice and self-d…
Level C1ClassicsSeventeen: A Tale of Youth and Summer Time and the Baxter Family, Especially WilliamSeventeen-year-old William Sylvanus Baxter navigates the heavy, idle summer days of youth with a mix of lofty self-assurance and reluctant social encounters, all while grappling wi…
Level B2ClassicsSevenoaks: A Story of TodayIn a bustling mill town shaped by the roar of its rushing stream, everyday lives intertwine amid factories, shops, and homes.
Level B2ClassicsSeven Short PlaysIn a small, restless town, the arrival of a new magistrate stirs up suspicion and gossip among the locals, revealing a community where everyone minds each other's business and secr…
Level C1ClassicsSeven Maids of Far Cathay: Being English Notes From a Chinese Class BookSeven young Chinese women in an English class embark on a unique language-learning game, each adopting a role tied to a letter of the alphabet, revealing cultural insights and the…
Level C1ClassicsSeven LegendsDelve into seven beautifully crafted legends that blend edification with psychological insight, revealing transformative journeys of faith and wonder.
Level B2ClassicsSettling DayA desperate father races across the harsh Australian bush to save his young son’s life, relying on a gruff but dedicated local doctor in the remote town of Swamp Creek.
Level C1ClassicsSeth's Brother's Wife: A Study of Life in the Greater New YorkTensions simmer in a rural farmhouse as old family grudges ignite when a city-bred Richardson arrives for a funeral, challenging the uneasy peace among the hired folk and kin.
Level C1ClassicsSet Down in Malice: A Book of ReminiscencesA vivid collection of personal reminiscences penned amidst the turmoil of war, offering candid insights into notable figures, artistic minds, and intellectual debates of the early…
Level C1ClassicsSerge Panine — CompleteIn the heart of Parisian society, complex characters navigate ambition, desire, and the intricate ties that bind them.
Level C1ClassicsSeptimusIn the tranquil village of Nunsmere, Zora Middlemist wrestles with grief and defiance after losing her husband to alcoholism.
Level C1ClassicsSeptimius Felton, or, the Elixir of LifeAn American heir journeys to an English manor haunted by a mysterious bloody footprint, uncovering a legend entwined with the quest for eternal youth and the elusive elixir of life…
Level C1ClassicsSenator NorthIn the heart of Washington’s political maze, Betty Madison navigates society’s sharp intrigues and the harsh realities behind Senate doors, challenging expectations with wit and de…
Level C1ClassicsSelina: Her Hopeful Efforts and Her Livelier FailuresA young woman in the 1880s grapples with her family's financial struggles and her own hopeful but faltering efforts to find independence amid the constraints of Victorian society.
Level C1ClassicsSelf-control: A NovelA young woman, burdened by duty and social limitations, faces a life shaped by self-control and virtue amid trials of health, family, and ambition.
Level C1ClassicsSelf-Doomed: A NovelIn a world where ambition clashes with contentment, apprentice Gideon Wolf resents humble labor and dreams of wealth, while those around him embody contrasting virtues and tragedie…
Level C1ClassicsSelections from the Prose Works of Matthew ArnoldExplore the sharp insights and cultural reflections of a dedicated scholar balancing everyday duties with a relentless pursuit of higher knowledge.
Level C2ClassicsSelections from Early Middle English, 1130-1250. Part 2: NotesExplore the linguistic and literary treasures of Early Middle English through detailed notes on manuscripts, phonology, and texts like the Peterborough Chronicle and Ancrene Wisse,…
Level C1ClassicsSelected Stories of Bret HarteExperience vivid tales of the American West where colorful characters and unexpected twists bring mining camp life to vibrant, romanticized life.
Level C1ClassicsSelected Prose of Oscar WildeDive into a rich anthology of sharp wit, vivid observations, and literary critique that reveals the multifaceted prose of a master storyteller, blending art, society, and philosoph…
Level C1ClassicsSelect Conversations with an Uncle (Now Extinct) and Two Other ReminiscencesA witty, sharp-tongued uncle struggles to find his place amid London’s literary salons and fashionable society, revealing the emptiness beneath social brilliance and the fading art…
Level C1ClassicsSeldwyla Folks: Three Singular TalesIn a quaint Swiss town frozen in medieval customs, three singular tales unfold, blending humor and satire to reveal the quirks and contradictions of its unprogressive inhabitants.
Level C1ClassicsSekhetAmidst the shadow of death and a father’s obsession with beauty rooted in ancient ideals, a young woman’s journey unfolds—entwining love, art, and the harsh truths of existence acr…
Level C1ClassicsSeets i' Paris: Sammywell Grimes's trip with his old chum Billy Baccus, his opinion o' th' French, and th' French opinion o' th' exhibition he made ov hissenTwo friends set off from the moorside to explore Paris during its grand exhibition, confronting cultural clashes and personal ailments along the way.
Level B2ClassicsSeeing the ElephantA wealthy young man trades city vices for country life, striving to prove himself a hardworking farmer to win the hand of the woman he loves—yet doubts and challenges threaten thei…
Level B2ClassicsSeeing Things at NightA reluctant knight-in-training, Gawaine le Cœur-Hardy, is tasked with slaying real dragons threatening the countryside, but his true challenge lies in overcoming fear and embracing…
Level B2ClassicsSeeing France with Uncle JohnEmbark on a lively voyage across France with Uncle John, where family tensions, unexpected companions, and humorous mishaps turn a simple trip into a memorable adventure at sea.
Level C1ClassicsSeed-time and Harvest: A NovelA widowed leaseholder faces ruin as his estate is auctioned off, burdened by grief and hardship in 1829 Pomerania.
Level C1ClassicsSecresy; or, Ruin on the RockIn a remote castle, Sibella Valmont lives under her stern uncle’s strict seclusion, while Caroline Ashburn challenges this harsh isolation through letters that spark forbidden frie…
Level C1ClassicsSecond StringA young man returns to his hometown after years abroad, reconnecting with old friends and memories tied to his late father’s dream of a challenging Pentathlon event.
Level C2ClassicsSea and Shore: A Sequel to "Miriam's Memoirs"A poignant farewell unfolds as a woman leaves her ancestral home by the sea, haunted by memories and the weight of "nevermore.
Level B2ClassicsScottish toastsRaise a glass to Scotland’s spirited gatherings with a collection of toasts, sentiments, and hearty stories that celebrate friendship, patriotism, and conviviality.
Level C1ClassicsScottish sketchesIn the rugged Scottish Highlands, Alexander Crawford treasures his ancestral land and wealth while navigating family pride and tradition.
ClassicsScots proverbs, ancient and modern, selected from Allan Ramsay and othersDiscover the wisdom and wit of Scotland through timeless proverbs that capture the spirit, humor, and life lessons of a rich cultural heritage.
Level C1ClassicsScotch Wit and HumorDiscover the sharp, playful wit hidden beneath Scotland’s serious exterior through a lively collection of anecdotes and clever repartee that reveal the true spirit of Scotch humor.
Level C1ClassicsScorn of Women: A Play In Three ActsIn the harsh Yukon winter of 1897, amid the rush for gold, a cast of complex characters including a captivating dancer, rugged miners, and government agents navigate survival, ambi…