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 C1ClassicsRepresentative Plays by American Dramatists: 1856-1911:: Introduction and BibliographyDiscover a curated collection of rare and unpublished American plays from 1856 to 1911, offering fresh insights into the evolution of American theater through meticulously selected…
Level C1ClassicsRepresentative Plays by American Dramatists: 1856-1911: The New York IdeaIn a sharp satire of American frivolity, a high-society family navigates witty, biting exchanges that reveal the clash between tradition and modernity.
Level C1ClassicsRepresentative Plays by American Dramatists: 1856-1911: The Moth and the FlameIn a vivid exploration of middle-class quirks and social satire, a playwright weaves sharp irony and lively dialogue to capture the nuanced humanity behind everyday manners and une…
Level C1ClassicsRepresentative Plays by American Dramatists: 1856-1911: In MizzouraStep into the vibrant world of American theatre through the eyes of a playwright who crafts a popular comedy from life's scattered remnants, blending personal history with sharp di…
Level C1ClassicsRepresentative Plays by American Dramatists: 1765-1819Explore the evolution of American drama from 1765 to 1819, featuring plays that capture the spirit of the Revolutionary era and the emerging national identity through pioneering ch…
Level C1ClassicsRepresentative English Comedies, v. 1. From the beginnings to ShakespeareExplore the evolution of English comedy from its earliest days through Shakespeare, with carefully selected plays that reveal the social manners, morals, and ideals of past generat…
Level C1ClassicsRenée MauperinIn a world where literary ambition clashes with relentless failure, two brothers pour their souls into every form of art and letters, defying fate and public indifference as they c…
Level B2ClassicsReno — a Book of Short Stories and InformationDiscover the hidden soul of Reno, a city famed for its divorce laws yet rich with industry, stories, and vibrant life.
Level C1ClassicsReminiscences, 1819-1899Born into a distinguished family in early 19th-century New York, a woman recalls her childhood and the sweeping changes of her century—from revolutionary heritage to societal progr…
Level C1ClassicsReminiscences of Tolstoy, by His SonA tender portrait of family life unfolds through the eyes of a young boy growing up at Yasnaya Polyana, capturing the warmth, quirks, and daily rhythms around a legendary writer an…
Level C1ClassicsReminiscences of Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Robert SoutheyA reflective memoir exploring the profound lives of Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Robert Southey, revealing their genius, struggles, and the moral lessons woven through their intertw…
Level B2ClassicsRemarksDive into a lively collection of thoughts and tales spanning humor, history, science, and everyday wisdom, all carefully curated to entertain and enlighten readers from all walks o…
Level C1ClassicsReginald in Russia, and Other SketchesIn the opulent yet politically tense salons of Russia, Reginald navigates sharp wit, social satire, and the peculiar customs of aristocratic life.
Level C1ClassicsReginaldA witty social misfit reluctantly endures a garden party, navigating awkward conversations and absurd expectations with sharp humor and irreverent charm.
Level C1ClassicsRegina, or the Sins of the FathersIn the aftermath of Napoleon's fall, a war-torn Germany welcomes back its battered soldiers amid a fragile peace.
Level B2ClassicsReflections of a beginning husbandA young couple rekindles their desire to marry but wrestles with society’s expectations and their uncertain futures.
ClassicsReflections of a Bachelor GirlWitty and insightful reflections on love, society, and independence from the perspective of a single woman navigating the complexities of early 20th-century life.
Level C1ClassicsRedemption and two other playsIn a Moscow flat, a family grapples with the fallout of a fractured marriage, revealing deep conflicts between love, weakness, and societal expectations.
Level C1ClassicsRedeemedA woman stands firm as her husband seeks a divorce, fighting to keep custody of their child and protect her honor.
Level B2ClassicsRed oleandersIn an underground city obsessed with buried gold, Nandini brings light and hope amidst darkness and fear.
Level C1ClassicsRed loveIn post-war Russia, Vassilissa, a young working woman and committed Communist, challenges traditional morals and societal expectations as she confronts the evolving roles of women…
Level C1ClassicsRed Spider, Volume 1 (of 2)In the fading rural parish of Bratton Clovelly, a richly detailed tale unfolds around Hillary Nanspian, a hearty farmer bound by family ties and tradition amid an England on the cu…
Level B2ClassicsRed Saunders' Pets and Other CrittersIn a remote, rugged landscape, a group of men find companionship and chaos in an unlikely menagerie—from a hawk and a bull-snake to a fierce bobcat named Bob—each pet adding wild h…
Level C1ClassicsRed PottageCaught between societal expectations and personal desires, a man resolves to end a draining affair that once sparked passion but now feels like a prison.
Level C1ClassicsRed Paint at Oxford: SketchesAmidst motoring mishaps and mischievous escapades, a group of Oxford undergraduates navigate their lively ‘Varsity careers with humor and daring.
Level C1ClassicsRed Men and WhiteExplore the turbulent American West through intertwined stories of frontier life, where ancient customs clash with modern progress and vivid characters navigate a land of fierce co…
Level C2ClassicsRecreations of Christopher North, Volume 2Wander through a vividly painted Scottish parish where nature’s beauty intertwines with poignant memories of youth and loss.
Level C1ClassicsRecreations of Christopher North, Volume 1Dive into the spirited world of field sports and pastimes, where nature, passion, and human character intertwine in lively tales of shooting, fishing, fox-hunting, and more.
Level C1ClassicsRecords of a GirlhoodA woman reflects on her life through a trove of letters, revealing a lineage marked by resilience and artistic genius, and a childhood shaped by the turbulent backdrop of revolutio…
Level C1ClassicsRecords of Later LifeA newlywed woman reflects on the complexities of marriage, personal growth, and intellectual solitude as she adjusts to life away from her family and prepares to build a home fille…
Level C1ClassicsRecollections: With Photogravure Portrait of the Author and a number of: Original Letters, of which one by George Meredith and: another by Robert Louis Stevenson are reproduced in: facsimileBorn into a transforming English town, a boy discovers the delicate beauty hidden in nature’s simplest forms, from bracken to starlit skies, as he reflects on childhood moments tha…
Level C1ClassicsRecollections: The Reminiscences of the Busy Life of One Who Has Played the Varied Parts of Sailor, Author & LecturerEmbark on a vivid journey through the varied life of a sailor turned author and lecturer, sharing authentic tales from the lecture platform and the high seas.
Level C1ClassicsRecollections of My YouthDive into a rich tapestry of childhood memories, blending legend and reflection, as a man revisits the echoes of his youth and the shaping moments of his past, revealing a poetic a…
Level C2ClassicsRecollections of My Childhood and YouthA young boy navigates the wonders and confusions of childhood, from playful moments with adults to early lessons about the world’s complexities.
Level C1ClassicsRecollections of Captain Wilkie: A Story of an Old OffenderA chance encounter on a train sparks a sharp-witted observer’s curiosity about a mysterious, self-possessed man whose appearance and views defy easy categorization, drawing him int…
Level B2ClassicsRebellionIn a bustling ward controlled by the powerful "big fellow," Jim Connor navigates the gritty world of political favors, loyalty, and the tension between public duty and private stri…
Level C1ClassicsReadings from Modern Mexican AuthorsExplore the vibrant literary landscape of Mexico through vivid excerpts that reveal its geography, history, and culture, all captured by the voices of its modern authors.
Level B2ClassicsRe-creationsA determined young woman leaves college abruptly to care for her ailing mother and manage her family’s struggles, facing the harsh realities of sacrifice, duty, and lost dreams.
Level C1ClassicsRank and Talent; A Novel, Vol. 2 (of 3)In a London season buzzing with gossip and high society intrigues, a humble family suddenly finds themselves the center of attention, navigating scandalous rumors and reluctant inv…
Level C1ClassicsRank and Talent; A Novel, Vol. 1 (of 3)In a small town gripped by a tense assault trial, a young, inexperienced barrister faces off against a cunning and ruthless opponent, revealing deep social tensions and the harsh r…
Level C1ClassicsRamuntchoIn the misty autumn of the Basque mountains, a young boy named Ramuntcho returns to his isolated family home, caught between the wild solitude of nature and the stirring call of di…
Level B1ClassicsRamsey MilhollandA young boy watches a Decoration Day parade with his grandfather, sparking a candid conversation about courage, fear, and the realities of war.
Level C1ClassicsRambles in Dickens' LandStep into the vivid world where Dickens' characters come to life, tracing the streets, inns, and countryside that inspired his timeless tales.
Level C1ClassicsRalph the HeirA reserved and ambitious barrister faces the sting of political rejection and personal disappointment, revealing the hidden struggles behind a public career.
Level C2ClassicsRalph Waldo Emerson, philosopher and seerExplore the intimate reflections and profound insights of a close friend who reveals the spirit and genius behind one of America's greatest thinkers.
Level C1ClassicsRalph Waldo EmersonExplore the mind of a thinker whose timeless genius transcends place and era, revealing profound insights without the need for grand systems or pretensions.
Level C1ClassicsRalph Waldo EmersonExplore the life and legacy of a profound thinker through detailed chapters covering his early years, philosophical evolution, influential lectures, and personal trials, culminatin…
Level B2ClassicsRalph Sinclair's AtonementA troubled man steps into a well-established metalworks firm in London, poised to replace a beloved manager retiring after fifty years.