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 C1ClassicsRosaleen among the artistsTears and chance encounters mark Rosaleen’s journey through the city, where a mysterious young man’s unexpected kindness sparks a fragile connection amidst her loneliness and uncer…
Level C1ClassicsRosa Mundi and Other StoriesA writer seeks solitude by the sea but finds unexpected company in a mysterious girl connected to the elusive dancer Rosa Mundi, whose secret presence stirs memories and intrigue b…
Level C1ClassicsRopeTensions simmer as Henry returns home to the sharp disapproval of his Aunt Mirabelle, whose rigid views clash with his carefree ways.
Level C1ClassicsRonald and I; or, Studies from LifeIn a windswept coastal estate shadowed by family rivalries and the relentless Atlantic, two brothers navigate inheritance, loyalty, and the haunting solitude of Broadwater.
Level C1ClassicsRomance of California Life: Illustrated by Pacific Slope Stories, Thrilling, Pathetic and HumorousIn a rugged mining camp fiercely resisting the arrival of a schoolteacher, tensions simmer among miners who value their hard-won freedoms and rough ways, setting the stage for a cl…
Level C1ClassicsRolling StonesStep into the quirky world of a struggling Texas newspaper, where a sharp-witted editor battles for the mayor’s office through biting satire, chaotic ads, and small-town politics,…
Level C1ClassicsRoland Graeme: Knight. A Novel of Our TimeA young man named Roland Graeme unexpectedly visits a renowned preacher struggling with the pressure to inspire and maintain his reputation.
Level C1ClassicsRoland Cashel, Volume II (of II)Roland Cashel returns to a grand gathering only to find himself politically ousted and socially challenged, sparking intrigue and rivalry among the guests.
Level C1ClassicsRoister Doister: Written, probably also represented, before 1553. Carefully edited from the unique copy, now at Eton CollegeIn a lively Tudor-era comedy, the boastful Ralph Roister Doister pursues the witty widow Dame Custance, sparking a merry clash of suitors, servants, and schemes over two chaotic da…
Level B2ClassicsRoger TrewinionIn rugged Cornwall, a mysterious old house with a feudal tower beckons two travelers exploring a coast rich in forgotten legends and fading superstitions.
Level C1ClassicsRodman the Keeper: Southern SketchesA former Union officer now tends a vast Southern national cemetery, embodying the lingering bitterness and sorrow of a divided land.
Level C1ClassicsRoderick HudsonA wealthy young man grapples with his sense of purpose and charity during a visit to his clever, resilient cousin, a widow managing life’s hardships with wit and pride.
Level C1ClassicsRoden's CornerIn the shadowed streets of The Hague, a cautious professor navigates a grim neighborhood where hidden lives and whispered secrets converge—revealing a world of quiet desperation an…
Level C1ClassicsRobinIn a fading Victorian London, a carefree couple's precarious lifestyle collapses after tragedy strikes, leaving a young mother and her infant daughter to face society’s harsh judgm…
Level C1ClassicsRobert Louis Stevenson: A Record, an Estimate, and a MemorialExplore the intimate correspondence and reflections of a frail yet indefatigable writer whose intellectual vigor defies his fragile health, revealing the profound influences and pe…
Level C1ClassicsRobert Louis StevensonExplore the resilient spirit and vivid imagination of a fragile boy turned literary giant, who transforms life's hardships into stories brimming with hope and artistry.
Level C1ClassicsRobert Louis StevensonExplore the enduring legacy and literary mastery of a writer whose works captivated both discerning admirers and the broader public alike.
Level C1ClassicsRobert Louis StevensonExplore the roots of a literary genius shaped by a proud Scottish heritage of lighthouse engineers and brave ancestors.
Level B2ClassicsRobert Hardy's Seven Days: A Dream and Its ConsequencesCaught between self-interest and family discord, Robert Hardy faces a restless Sunday night that challenges his old-fashioned values and forces him to confront the cost of his self…
Level B2ClassicsRobert FalconerA fourteen-year-old boy wrestles with memories of a mysterious man he believes might be his father, sparking a journey through family secrets and the quiet, restless moments of a l…
Level C1ClassicsRobert ElsmereIn the quiet Westmoreland valley, nature’s sober beauty mirrors the steadfast lives of its inhabitants, setting the stage for a profound exploration of faith, love, and human purpo…
Level B2ClassicsRobert Burns: A playAmid the rolling Scottish countryside, a passionate young poet defies rigid piety and social scorn as he embraces love, song, and the vibrant spirit of life, challenging the harsh…
Level C1ClassicsRobert BurnsExplore the vivid life and soul of a beloved Scottish poet through his own heartfelt poems and songs, revealing his joys, faults, and the society that shaped him.
Level C1ClassicsRobert BrowningExplore the enigmatic life behind the profound poetry of a man whose emotions remain as mysterious as the forces of nature themselves, revealing the complexity of genius wrapped in…
Level B2ClassicsRoads of DestinyA young poet leaves his village to chase fame and honor, but his journey takes an unexpected turn when he aids a mysterious marquis and a silent lady stranded on a dark road, plung…
Level C1ClassicsRiven Bonds. Vol. II.: A Novel, in Two VolumesTorn by past follies and unspoken confessions, Captain Almbach confronts Ella, a woman shrouded in mystery and guarded emotions, in a secluded villa where old bonds and new tension…
Level C1ClassicsRiven Bonds. Vol. I.: A Novel, in Two VolumesIn a lively Hanseatic town, the dazzling Signora Biancona captivates audiences and stirs passions, while a young merchant named Almbach navigates admiration, rivalry, and the sharp…
Level C1ClassicsRise and Fall of Cesar BirotteauIn the bustling heart of Paris, a devoted perfumer’s wife awakens from a haunting nightmare, filled with fear and confusion about her husband’s mysterious absence.
Level C1ClassicsRingfield: A NovelIn a remote Canadian settlement overshadowed by the majestic yet forbidding St.
Level C1ClassicsRidgway of Montana: A story of to-day, in which the hero is also the villainIn a world where ambition and charm clash, Virginia Balfour weighs the price of marrying the enigmatic Waring Ridgway—a man whose ruthless drive for success masks a dark, compellin…
Level C1ClassicsRiders to the SeaOn a remote Irish island, a mother and her family confront the relentless power of the sea and fate, weaving a poignant tale of loss, resilience, and the harsh rhythms of life in a…
Level B2ClassicsRide 'em and weepA daring red-headed pilot joins a Texas air circus known for its risky stunts and tight landings, challenging the cautious crew with his wild California flying tales and a reputati…
Level C1ClassicsRiches have wings; or, A tale for the rich and poorIn a society where wealth changes hands as swiftly as the wind, fortunes rise and fall amid fierce ambition and moral challenges.
Level C1ClassicsRichard SteeleStep into the lively world of early 18th-century English drama, where wit and satire expose society’s quirks—from mock grief to flawed justice—all crafted by a soldier turned playw…
Level C1ClassicsRich enoughA cautious farmer seeks safe, steady investments amidst the bustling ambitions of his wealthy merchant brother, exploring the tension between simple contentment and the lure of spe…
Level C1ClassicsRich Man, Poor ManIn a bustling city, a solitary, shy clerk named Mr.
Level C1ClassicsRiceyman Steps: A NovelIn post-World War I Clerkenwell, a refined, introspective bookseller becomes quietly captivated by a mysterious widow across the street, dreaming of sharing his rich visions of the…
Level C1ClassicsRhoda Fleming — CompleteIn a Kentish village, two striking sisters navigate the clash between rustic tradition and their mother's fierce determination to nurture beauty and strength amidst poverty and gos…
Level B2ClassicsRevolution, and Other EssaysAn unprecedented global movement of millions unites under the red banner of revolution, challenging old orders with passionate solidarity and a vision for a new world.
Level C1ClassicsRevisiting the EarthA man embarks on a heartfelt journey to revisit every place tied to his youth, seeking renewal and rediscovery through the memories and landscapes of his past.
Level C1ClassicsReviewsDive into a collection of sharp, insightful reviews revealing the rise and reception of a bold literary figure who challenged Victorian norms with wit and style, offering a unique…
Level C1ClassicsReveries over Childhood and YouthA reflective journey through fragmented memories of childhood and youth reveals the bittersweet mix of innocence, fear, and wonder, set against the backdrop of family, nature, and…
Level C1ClassicsReuben SachsA promising young Jewish lawyer returns home after a nervous breakdown, navigating family expectations and societal pressures in Victorian London.
Level C1ClassicsReturning HomeAn English couple faces the bittersweet challenge of leaving their dull, distant life in Costa Rica to return to their beloved homeland.
Level B2ClassicsRetained for the Defence: A Farce, in One ActIn a drawing room set for a high-society party, a sharp-witted lawyer juggles a curious mix of guests, including a greengrocer turned hapless waiter, as secrets and social blunders…
Level C2ClassicsResurrectionA nobleman confronts his past when he recognizes a woman on trial for a crime he feels responsible for, leading him to question justice, morality, and redemption in a society rife…
Level C1ClassicsRest Harrow: A Comedy of ResolutionA chance reunion on a steamer sparks intrigue as a mysterious, unconventional man accompanies a captivating widow, weaving a tale of past lives, hidden motives, and the quirks of E…
Level C1ClassicsReprinted PiecesAmid stormy seas and desperate escapes, vivid tales of perilous voyages and survival unfold—from mutinous ships to castaways battling hunger and fate—capturing the haunting allure…