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 B2ClassicsPrivate Spud TamsonA rough but spirited recruit joins the quirky Glesca Mileeshy militia, facing the challenges of military life with humor and heart.
Level C1ClassicsPriscilla and Charybdis: A Story of AlternativesTensions rise backstage at a country concert as the temperamental tenor clashes with his accompanist, threatening to upend the event treasured by local society.
Level C1ClassicsPrinciple and Practice: The Orphan FamilyFive orphaned siblings, united by love and hardship, strive to build a hopeful future with limited means and the guidance of a trusted family friend.
Level C1ClassicsPrincess Napraxine, Volume 3 (of 3)In a world of wealth and ambition, Yseulte navigates the complex affections and duties surrounding her indifferent husband, Friederich Othmar, as powerful forces seek to shape thei…
Level C1ClassicsPrincess Napraxine, Volume 2 (of 3)In a world of high society and sharp wit, Princess Nadine commands her mornings with swims, letters, and sharp-tongued banter, navigating intrigues and alliances beneath the polish…
Level C1ClassicsPrincess Napraxine, Volume 1 (of 3)An imperious princess arrives at her eagerly anticipated winter villa on the French Riviera, only to find the charming estate a chaotic jumble of architectural styles and unexpecte…
Level C1ClassicsPrincessA family faces uproar and resistance as they prepare to leave city comforts for a Virginia farm, hoping the southern air will heal their ailing son.
Level B2ClassicsPrince FortunatusAmid the dazzling world of London’s theatre, a curious matron and her brother are drawn backstage to uncover the secrets of stagecraft and high society’s hidden dramas.
Level C1ClassicsPrimus AnnusDiscover a fresh approach to learning Latin through the Direct Method, where grammar is taught by imitation and oral practice, making the language come alive with spoken exercises…
Level C1ClassicsPride: One of the Seven Cardinal SinsA retired naval commander lives quietly with his fiery housekeeper, locked in a subtle but relentless battle over their shared garden and deep-seated political grudges, revealing h…
Level C1ClassicsPride and Prejudice, a play founded on Jane Austen's novelIn a refined English countryside, the spirited Elizabeth Bennet navigates societal expectations and complex relationships, especially with the proud yet intriguing Mr.
Level C1ClassicsPress CuttingsIn a world where suffragettes disrupt the status quo, a disguised Prime Minister turns to a wary General to navigate political upheaval and unexpected resignations, revealing the f…
Level C1ClassicsPrescott of SaskatchewanIn a rough prairie town simmering with ethnic tensions and violence, Prescott navigates the harsh realities of frontier life and fractured communities.
Level C1ClassicsPrejudicesDelve into a candid exploration of human nature through the lens of our complex relationships with dogs, revealing how true affection and personal truths emerge in unexpected ways.
Level C1ClassicsPrefaces to Four Seventeenth-Century Romances: Roger Boyle, Lord Broghill, preface to Parthenissa (1655) Sir George Mackenzie, "Apologie for romances," prefixed to Aretina, the serious romance (1660) Nathaniel Ingelo, preface to Bentivolio and Urania (1660) Robert Boyle, preface to Theodora and Didymus (1687)Explore the 17th-century struggle to redefine Romance as a serious art form, balancing heroic tales with realism and style, through four prefaces revealing the authors’ quest for a…
Level C1ClassicsPreface to ShakespeareExplore the enduring genius behind Shakespeare’s timeless appeal as this preface unravels how his faithful portrayal of universal human nature has captivated audiences through cent…
Level C1ClassicsPrecious baneIn a remote Shropshire countryside, Prudence, marked by a harelip and scorned by neighbors, finds unexpected love and acceptance through the gentle weaver Kester, while her brother…
Level C1ClassicsPrecious balmsDive into a witty exploration of criticism and authorship, where the clash between creators and reviewers reveals the vibrant tension behind literary fame and silence.
Level C1ClassicsPrecaution: A NovelIn a world shaped by wilderness and society’s strictures, a young man navigates the perils of love, honor, and deception.
Level C1ClassicsPray You, Sir, Whose Daughter?Three young women from different social classes confront the harsh realities of poverty, dependence, and societal injustice, revealing the deep struggles for self-reliance and eman…
Level B2ClassicsPrairie FolksOn the vast, untamed prairie, settlers battle relentless bugs, harsh weather, and dubious traveling salesmen peddling patent medicines—capturing the grit and pioneer spirit behind…
Level C1ClassicsPractice Book, Leland Powers SchoolExplore the art of vocal expression through vivid exercises that awaken vitality and sharpen mental clarity, blending powerful imagery, classic speeches, and poetic rhythms to enha…
Level B2ClassicsPractical recitationsSharpen reading and speaking skills with carefully selected recitations and exercises designed for classroom use, holidays, and special occasions.
Level B2ClassicsPotash and Perlmutter Settle ThingsTwo garment manufacturers navigate post-war challenges, strikes, and fashion trends as they debate who should brave Paris to secure the latest styles, humorously capturing their st…
Level B2ClassicsPotash & Perlmutter: Their Copartnership Ventures and AdventuresAbe Potash, weary of failed partnerships, navigates the tough cloak and suit business with sharp wit and skepticism.
Level C1ClassicsPosthumous Works of the Author of A Vindication of the Rights of WomanIn a world where society’s laws and customs oppress women, a sensitive and intelligent woman faces the anguish of a loveless marriage that stifles her mind and spirit, revealing th…
Level B2ClassicsPost-Impressions: An Irresponsible ChronicleStep into a world where the stage boldly exposes the truths of steam engines, tariffs, and society’s hidden corners, challenging conventions with unflinching realism and sharp wit…
Level C1ClassicsPost-Biblical Hebrew Literature: An AnthologyExplore the rich legacy of Hebrew literature beyond the biblical era, tracing how poets, philosophers, and scholars kept the language alive through centuries of cultural shifts and…
Level C1ClassicsPort Argent: A NovelIn a city shaped by unpredictable forces and shifting fortunes, an aging man reflects on the rise of Port Argent, where political intrigue and social change collide along bustling…
Level C1ClassicsPopular Sayings from Old IberiaDiscover the wisdom and wit of Spanish sentiment through timeless popular sayings that reveal the heart's history, exploring love, faithfulness, ambition, and kindness in vivid, po…
Level B2ClassicsPoppy: The Story of a South African GirlA young girl named Poppy endures harsh chores and hunger under her aunt’s strict rule in South Africa, escaping into vivid daydreams of love and happiness.
Level C1ClassicsPoor RelationsIn a Parisian world of bitter envy and hidden malice, a cunning woman sets out to destroy her prosperous relatives, weaving a dark tale of deceit, rivalry, and the corrosive power…
Level C1ClassicsPoor JackBorn into a naval family steeped in seafaring tradition and eccentric characters, a young man recounts his father’s adventures aboard the frigate Druid, navigating pride, seasickne…
Level C1ClassicsPoor FolkIn a humble tenement filled with a mix of strangers, a tender correspondence unfolds between two souls clinging to hope and love amid hardship, revealing the quiet struggles and he…
Level C1ClassicsPonkapog PapersStep into a world of witty reflections and vivid sketches, where an author's keen observations paint a portrait of society, art, and human nature with humor and insight.
Level B2ClassicsPomona's Travels: A Series of Letters to the Mistress of Rudder Grange from her Former HandmaidenAn uneducated yet sharp-witted young woman embarks on a journey through England and Scotland with her husband, documenting their adventures and cultural discoveries in a series of…
Level C1ClassicsPolyeucteAn Armenian noble wrestles between his Christian faith and the love of his wife amid a tense political and spiritual conflict.
Level C1ClassicsPolly of the CircusAmid the dazzling chaos of the Great American Circus, Polly, a young acrobat with a tender heart, watches a newcomer take on the perilous "Leap of Death" stunt, revealing the harsh…
Level C1ClassicsPolite Conversation in Three DialoguesStep into the sharp wit and biting irony of early 18th-century society, where polished manners mask the lively, often coarse realities of polite conversation.
Level C1ClassicsPole Baker: A NovelA planter returns to his mountain land, greeted by colorful locals including Pole Baker, a fearless former moonshiner with a fierce reputation and dangerous enemies.
Level C1ClassicsPoison: A FarceA sharp-witted farce unfolds as characters navigate a tangled web of misunderstandings and comedic mishaps.
Level C1ClassicsPoints of frictionExplore the tension between history’s grand events and everyday life as this collection of essays reflects on human endurance, the significance of historic moments, and the fatigue…
Level C1ClassicsPoints of ViewExplore a thoughtful critique on the fading art of humor and the rise of solemn seriousness in literature, questioning whether laughter still has a place in a world increasingly do…
Level C1ClassicsPoints of Humour, Part 2 (of 2)Dive into a world of whimsical characters and eccentric humor, where a jealous hunchback lord courts a fair maiden amidst quirky minstrels and absurd antics—each scene vividly brou…
Level C1ClassicsPoints of Humour, Part 1 (of 2)Dive into a world where wit and vivid illustrations bring to life a gallery of humorous anecdotes and lively characters, from jolly beggars to spirited vagrants, all captured with…
Level B2ClassicsPoganuc People: Their Loves and LivesStep into a cozy New England kitchen where a spirited young woman kneads dough and shares the curious holiday preparations at her church, unveiling the warmth and traditions of a c…
Level C1ClassicsPlotting the short storyUnlock the secrets of storytelling by discovering how to spot and develop germ-plots—those sparks of inspiration hidden in everyday life that can ignite unforgettable short stories…
Level B2ClassicsPlease pass the cream: A comedyA lively breakfast scene unravels as Mr.