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 C1ClassicsSamantha among the Brethren — Volume 2A sharp-witted woman challenges the church’s exclusion of women from leadership, blending humor and heartfelt critique as she debates tradition and justice in her rural community.
Level C1ClassicsSamantha among the Brethren — Volume 1A sharp-witted woman challenges the church’s refusal to let women participate fully, arguing for justice and recognition in a world where women have long nurtured faith and hope.
Level B2ClassicsSamantha Among the Colored Folks: "My Ideas on the Race Problem"When a well-meaning minister arrives unexpectedly with tracts and Bibles, a practical woman wrestles with her own suspicions and the challenges of race, faith, and family in the po…
Level B2ClassicsSamantha Among the Brethren, CompleteA determined woman challenges the exclusion of women from church leadership, arguing passionately for their rightful place in the spiritual community.
Level C1ClassicsSalted with FireA young woman struggles to care for her stubborn father while wrestling with deep distrust for their stern minister, revealing a quiet battle of faith, love, and understanding in a…
Level C2ClassicsSalomé: A Tragedy in One ActIn a tense, forbidden drama set in ancient Judea, the captivating Salomé dances a deadly game with Herod and the prophet Jokanaan, where desire and power collide beneath the shadow…
Level B2ClassicsSalome Shepard, reformerAmidst a tense factory strike, Salome Shepard, a wealthy mill owner, confronts the harsh realities of her workers’ struggles and wrestles with her own role in a world crying out fo…
Level B2ClassicsSalomeIn the serene English countryside, Salome, a thoughtful teenager with a restless spirit, navigates family life and childhood dreams at Maplestone Court, where tranquility hints at…
Level C1ClassicsSalem Chapel, v. 2/2A minister’s mother hides her anguish behind a composed facade as she faces a critical Sunday at Salem Chapel, grappling with fear and hope for her missing daughter.
Level C1ClassicsSalem Chapel, v. 1/2In the humble Salem Chapel of Carlingford, a new young minister arrives to lead a close-knit, spirited congregation divided from the town’s high society.
Level C1ClassicsSakoontala; Or, The Lost Ring: An Indian DramaA royal love story unfolds when a lost ring triggers a journey through memory and destiny, weaving ancient Indian drama with timeless themes of love, loss, and reunion.
Level C1ClassicsSaint's ProgressIn the summer glow of a peaceful retreat, Edward Pierson returns to his brother’s home, seeking solace from years of war and loss.
Level C1ClassicsSaint Abe and His Seven Wives: A Tale of Salt Lake City, with a Bibliographical NoteIn the rugged West, Joe Wilson races past a haunted ranch known as Old Nick’s Gallop, where dark memories stir.
Level C1ClassicsSacrificeBorn into a world of wealth and hidden anguish, young Lilla Delliver navigates the haunting legacy of her aristocratic parents’ tragic fate and the fragile emotions that shape her…
Level C1ClassicsSacred and Profane Love: A Novel in Three EpisodesA young woman trapped in a decaying Victorian household longs for a passionate love that will shatter her inherited calm and awaken her soul.
Level C1ClassicsRuth Hall: A Domestic Tale of the Present TimeA young woman named Ruth Hall faces an uncertain future as she prepares to marry, reflecting on a childhood marked by loneliness, family indifference, and a longing for love.
Level C1ClassicsRuthIn a fading Tudor town, Ruth Hilton endures grueling nights as a dressmaker’s apprentice, caught between the harsh realities of her laborious world and the chains of social convent…
Level C1ClassicsRussian essays and storiesExplore a nuanced view of Russia through essays and stories that challenge simplistic political labels, revealing the complex humanity behind revolutionary and reactionary divides.
Level B2ClassicsRussian Silhouettes: More Stories of Russian LifeAmid a snowy Russian winter, schoolboys Volodia and his somber friend Tchetchevitsin arrive home, their minds already wandering far beyond the festive chaos—plotting daring journey…
Level C1ClassicsRuskin RelicsStep into the world of a passionate art teacher whose unconventional methods challenge pupils to see beyond mere technique, revealing the deeper worship and faithfulness to nature…
Level C1ClassicsRupert GodwinIn a tranquil Hampshire manor, the seafaring Captain Westford’s family basks in idyllic happiness, yet beneath the sunlit beauty lies a looming shadow as duty calls him away, threa…
Level C1ClassicsRunning WaterA restless mother and her enigmatic daughter travel across Europe by night, caught in a delicate dance of secrets and unspoken fears.
Level C1ClassicsRulers of kings: A novelAn American heir inherits immense wealth yet faces profound discouragement, his ambitions shaped by legends of great leaders.
ClassicsRule a Wife, and Have a Wife: Beaumont & Fletcher's Works (3 of 10)Two couples navigate love, deception, and power struggles in a lively mix of wit and intrigue.
Level C1ClassicsRuggles of Red GapIn Paris, the Honourable George braces for a high-stakes poker night with brash Americans while his sharp-tongued brother demands answers about reckless gambling and romantic entan…
Level C1ClassicsRue and RosesA deeply introspective German governess, burdened by family struggles and social isolation, finds her life transformed when a mysterious, enigmatic man ignites her passion and chal…
Level C1ClassicsRudin: A NovelAn introspective young nobleman grapples with ideals and emotions in a world caught between tradition and modernity, revealing the complexities of love, society, and human nature t…
Level B2ClassicsRudder GrangeA newlywed couple struggles to find the perfect country home that’s affordable, well-located, and fully furnished—only to discover the challenges and absurdities of house hunting a…
Level B2ClassicsRuben and Ivy SênIn a world where society expects a noblewoman to remarry, Mrs.
Level C1ClassicsRoundabout PapersIn a sleepy, timeless town nestled among ancient walls and quiet streets, a young boy’s fascination with a mysterious book draws him away from the pastoral calm, hinting at the sti…
Level B2ClassicsRound the SofaA young girl sent to Edinburgh for health treatment faces the harsh realities of poverty and loneliness in a dreary lodging, where every comfort is measured against the strict econ…
Level C1ClassicsRound the Red Lamp: Being Facts and Fancies of Medical LifeStep into the world of a seasoned country doctor whose rugged exterior hides a deep compassion, as he confronts the harsh realities and enduring challenges of 19th-century medical…
Level C1ClassicsRound the Corner: Being the Life and Death of Francis Christopher Folyat, Bachelor of Divinity, and Father of a Large FamilyIn a world where gentle birth dictates a man's path, Francis Christopher Folyat must navigate the weight of family legacy, dwindling fortunes, and societal expectations as he seeks…
Level C1ClassicsRound the Block: An American NovelA vibrant city block reveals stark contrasts between wealthy, secluded brownstone mansions and bustling, modest brick shops teeming with life.
Level C1ClassicsRound About a Great EstateIn the quiet expanse surrounding a grand estate, old Hilary Luckett holds deep ties to the land and its traditions, blending rural independence with intimate knowledge of game and…
Level C1ClassicsRossmoyneIn the quiet estate of Rossmoyne, youthful Monica uncovers secrets that stir old rivalries and new romances, while love and mystery intertwine beneath the watchful eyes of a fading…
Level C1ClassicsRosmersholmIn a secluded Norwegian manor, the return of John Rosmer stirs old secrets and unsettled spirits, as Rebecca West and Mr.
Level C1ClassicsRoses: Four One-Act Plays: Streaks of Light—The Last Visit—Margot—The Far-away PrincessIn a fading Rococo pavilion filled with roses and shadows, a passionate yet restless woman clings to fleeting moments of love and sunlight, while a nervous suitor struggles to bala…
Level B2ClassicsRosemary: A Christmas storyA wealthy young man visits the Riviera at Christmas, haunted by memories of a lost love and the dreams they once shared.
Level B2ClassicsRosemary in Search of a FatherA wealthy young man wanders the sunlit terraces of Monte Carlo, haunted by a lost love he once dreamed of sharing this perfect Riviera Christmas with.
Level C1ClassicsRose, Blanche, and Violet, Volume 3 (of 3)In a modest boarding house in 1841 London, artist Cecil struggles with idleness, fading inspiration, and the harsh gap between his grand visions and faltering execution, while his…
Level C1ClassicsRose, Blanche, and Violet, Volume 2 (of 3)Three sisters navigate love, jealousy, and secrets as Blanche wrestles with doubts about her fiancé Cecil’s true character, while Violet warns her against a future with a man both…
Level C1ClassicsRose, Blanche, and Violet, Volume 1 (of 3)Three sisters navigate the challenges of love, character, and moral strength in a small town marked by heat and silence.
Level B2ClassicsRose of Dutcher's CoollyA bright, imaginative girl named Rose navigates childhood marked by early loss and solitude, finding comfort in her vivid inner world and the quiet companionship of her father on t…
Level C1ClassicsRose and RoseA young doctor forms an unexpected bond with Rose, a delicate child whose mother has died, while their artistic neighbor pursues beauty across distant lands.
Level C1ClassicsRose MacLeodIn a grand Georgian house blooming with spring, a spirited grandmother and her poised granddaughter navigate the tensions between past achievements and present expectations, as a m…
Level C1ClassicsRose ClarkA tender-hearted girl named Rose faces harsh judgment and cruelty in a charity school, where her dignity and past haunt her as she struggles against a world eager to define her by…
Level C1ClassicsRosamond, or, the Youthful Error: A Tale of Riverside; And Other StoriesA wealthy young man haunted by a painful past inherits Riverside, a grand estate, yet shuns society and wrestles with loneliness and lost love.