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 C1ClassicsPlays: Complete Edition, Including the Posthumous PlaysExplore the intense moral and spiritual struggles that arise when a man challenges societal norms, demanding a radical new way of life.
Level C1ClassicsPlays: Being: An unhistorical pastoral: A romantic farce: Bruce, a chronicle play: Smith, a tragic farce: and Scaramouch in Naxos, a pantomime.Shipwrecked nobles return to their homeland after perilous sea voyages, haunted by lost sons and uncertain fates.
Level C1ClassicsPlays, written by Sir John Vanbrugh, volume the secondIn a bustling Covent Garden, the sharp-tongued Mrs.
Level C2ClassicsPlays of Sophocles: Oedipus the King; Oedipus at Colonus; AntigoneA plague ravages Thebes, and King Oedipus must uncover the truth behind the city's suffering.
Level C1ClassicsPlays for small stagesStep into an intimate world where amateur players bring fresh, heartfelt dramas to life in a tiny neighborhood theater.
Level C1ClassicsPlays by August Strindberg: Creditors. Pariah.In a tense psychological drama, two men confront the enigmatic Tekla, revealing her complex debts and the intricate power struggles beneath her poised exterior.
Level C1ClassicsPlays by August Strindberg, Third SeriesDive into a collection that traces a playwright’s journey from naturalistic revolt to mystic symbolism, weaving Swedish folklore, fairy tales, and poetic drama into hauntingly beau…
Level C1ClassicsPlays by August Strindberg, Second seriesDive into a profound exploration of spiritual turmoil and redemption as characters confront crimes beyond the law—those against the soul and divine order—in a series of intense, my…
Level C1ClassicsPlays by August Strindberg, Fourth SeriesIn the heart of Sweden's Dalecarlia, a deeply rooted community clings to ancient customs, rugged landscapes, and poetic traditions that shape their lives and stories.
Level C1ClassicsPlays by August Strindberg, First SeriesDive into a gripping collection where personal turmoil and existential reflection intertwine, revealing a man’s struggle with doubt, isolation, and the haunting shadows of his past…
Level C1ClassicsPlays by Anton Chekhov, Second SeriesExplore the subtle tensions and unspoken desires of Russian life through a collection of plays where characters wrestle with inaction, unfulfilled dreams, and the quiet tragedies h…
Level C1ClassicsPlays : First SeriesIn a wealthy Liberal MP's home, a rebellious young man stumbles in late with a stolen reticule, sparking a tense clash between social classes as a disheveled stranger seizes the mo…
Level C1ClassicsPlaysExplore the gritty realities and moral complexities of 19th-century Russian merchant life through sharp satire and vivid drama, where family, commerce, and society collide in a wor…
Level B2ClassicsPlaysIn a quiet farmhouse kitchen, a mysterious death disrupts the daily routine, leaving neighbors and officials to unravel unsettling secrets hidden beneath ordinary domestic life.
Level C1ClassicsPlain Living: A Bush IdyllIn the harsh Australian outback, pastoral tenant Harold Stamford battles a devastating drought that threatens his family’s station and legacy.
Level B2ClassicsPirates: A comedy in one actIn a charming Victorian parlor, a circle of ladies navigates the delicate art of gossip, comparing it to piracy that steals reputations.
Level C1ClassicsPink and White Tyranny: A Society NovelIn a heartfelt letter from a young fan, the joys and trials of childhood come alive through games, family bonds, and the everyday adventures of six siblings.
Level C1ClassicsPink Gods and Blue DemonsIn the fading glory of Kimberley’s diamond rush, Loree Temple, trapped in a mundane marriage, dreams of passion and power amid the echoes of conquest and wealth.
Level B2ClassicsPillars of SocietyIn a Norwegian coastal town, a respected shipbuilder's family navigates the tensions between tradition, progress, and hidden discord as new ideas challenge their community’s fragil…
Level B2ClassicsPigs is PigsA man battles a stubborn express agent over shipping rates for two guinea pigs, sparking a comical clash of rules and reason.
Level C1ClassicsPietro GhisleriIn a grand Roman household, two step-sisters—one a lively heiress, the other a reserved beauty—navigate the complexities of family, faith, and identity under the watchful eyes of t…
Level C1ClassicsPierretteIn a quiet provincial town, a young workman returns to his childhood love, Pierrette, whose hidden life in a modest attic stirs memories and longing beneath the peaceful façades an…
Level C1ClassicsPierre; or The AmbiguitiesOn a serene summer morning in the countryside, young Pierre awakens to a world steeped in silent beauty and secret passions, where love and family pride intertwine beneath the maje…
Level B2ClassicsPierre and JeanTwo brothers, Pierre and Jean, return home for the holidays, each pursuing different careers and harboring a subtle rivalry beneath their affection.
Level C1ClassicsPierre and His People: Tales of the Far North. Volume 5.In the harsh wilderness of Lake Superior, Antoine and Angelique remain to guard a mysterious mine through a brutal winter, their love and endurance tested by isolation and looming…
Level C1ClassicsPierre GrassouIn the bustling art world of post-1830 Paris, Pierre Grassou navigates the crowded, chaotic Salon where true talent is lost among countless works.
Level C1ClassicsPieces of Hate; And Other EnthusiasmsDive into a sharp, witty collection of stories, essays, and critiques that challenge sentimentality and tackle ideas with bold honesty and humor.
Level C1ClassicsPictures of the Socialistic Future: (freely adapted from Bebel)An ardent Socialist’s diary reveals the tumultuous rise and fall of a socialist revolution in Berlin, exposing the internal chaos and external threats that challenge its ideals.
Level C1ClassicsPicture playsStep into the intimate Florentine studio where Da Vinci captures Mona Lisa’s enigmatic smile, exploring the delicate dance between art, love, and freedom as the final sitting unfol…
Level C1ClassicsPicture and Text: 1893Explore the rich tradition of black-and-white illustration rooted in an idyllic English village, where artists find endless inspiration in timeless landscapes, rustic charm, and ev…
Level C1ClassicsPictorial Beauty on the ScreenExplore the art behind cinema as scenes transform into vivid compositions of light, form, and motion.
Level C1ClassicsPickwickian StudiesStep into the quirky world of the “Great White Horse” inn, where narrow streets and quirky characters come alive in a charming town steeped in Pickwickian adventures and old-fashio…
Level C1ClassicsPicciolaImprisoned and isolated, a brilliant count finds unexpected solace and meaning in the simple life of a fragile flower named Picciola.
Level C1ClassicsPiccadilly: A Fragment of Contemporary BiographyIn the heart of London’s Piccadilly, a keen observer wrestles with the contradictions of high society, exploring love, madness, and the elusive progress of civilization through viv…
Level C1ClassicsPhyllis of PhilistiaCaught between love and controversy, Phyllis faces heartbreak as her fiancé challenges sacred beliefs, forcing her to confront faith, loyalty, and the meaning of marriage in a worl…
Level B2ClassicsPhyllisA wealthy girl moves from the city to the rural Byrdsville, struggling to find her place among wary peers and the shadow of the girl who once lived in her new home.
Level C1ClassicsPhrenological Development of Robert Burns: From a Cast of His Skull Moulded at Dumfries, the 31st Day of March 1834Explore the phrenological analysis of Robert Burns through a detailed cast of his skull, revealing the striking blend of powerful passions, moral emotions, and intellectual faculti…
Level C1ClassicsPhrases for Public Speakers and Paragraphs for StudyMaster the art of fluent, persuasive speaking through daily practice of essential phrases and analysis of powerful speech paragraphs, honing your ability to engage and captivate an…
Level C1ClassicsPhineas Finn: The Irish MemberAn ambitious young Irish barrister navigates family expectations and London society as he prepares to stand for Parliament, balancing tradition, ambition, and the complex politics…
Level C1ClassicsPhilosophy 4: A Story of Harvard UniversityTwo privileged Harvard students challenge the abstract lessons of their philosophical tutor during a stifling spring evening, questioning the nature of reality, perception, and kno…
Level C1ClassicsPhilistiaIn a London salon buzzing with revolutionaries and exiles, socialist Max Schurz hosts gatherings where fiery debates about social upheaval ignite.
Level C1ClassicsPhilip MassingerExplore the life and works of Philip Massinger, a dramatist of the Jacobean era whose plays reflect the vibrant theatrical collaborations and complex social ties of early 17th-cent…
Level C1ClassicsPhilaster; Or, Love Lies a BleedingIn a kingdom torn by political intrigue, the rightful heir Philaster navigates love and loyalty as a foreign prince seeks to claim the throne through marriage to the king’s daughte…
Level C1ClassicsPhil Purcel, The Pig-Driver; The Geography Of An Irish Oath; The Lianhan Shee: Traits And Stories Of The Irish Peasantry, The Works of: William Carleton, Volume ThreePhil Purcel, a grave and cunning pig-driver in rural Ireland, masters the art of deception with a serious demeanor that baffles all.
Level C1ClassicsPhelim Otoole's Courtship and Other Stories: Traits And Stories Of The Irish Peasantry, The Works of: William Carleton, Volume ThreeIn a humble Irish village, Phelim O'Toole, heir to a cherished half-acre, faces the weight of family legacy amid his parents’ silent sorrow over childlessness and a fractured marri…
Level C1ClassicsPhases of an Inferior PlanetIn a misty, bustling cityscape, a determined young danseuse navigates the shadows of society, her delicate presence contrasting with the harsh urban backdrop.
Level C1ClassicsPhantom Fortune, a NovelIn the glittering world of London high society, scandal brews as Lady Maulevrier arrives amid whispers of a public inquiry and a dramatic fall from grace.
Level C1ClassicsPhaedraIn a realm haunted by absence and secret passions, Hippolytus wrestles with his exile and forbidden desires while the shadow of Queen Phaedra’s mysterious illness looms over Troeze…