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 B2ClassicsPetunia againIn a close-knit country town, life revolves around heartfelt welcomes for returning soldiers, bustling community events, and the simple yet rich rhythms of rural living.
Level C1ClassicsPetty Troubles of Married Life, First PartExplore the delicate dance of marriage where fortunes, families, and social ambitions collide, revealing the petty yet profound troubles that test love and loyalty beneath the poli…
Level C1ClassicsPetty Troubles of Married Life, CompleteMarriage unfolds as a careful negotiation of fortunes, family expectations, and social standing, where love is entangled with dowries, inheritances, and the subtle power struggles…
Level C1ClassicsPeter: A Novel of Which He is Not the HeroIn a timeworn bank where tradition reigns supreme, Peter meticulously guards the ledgers and enforces the relentless punctuality of the old moon-faced clock.
Level C1ClassicsPeter and Jane; Or, The Missing HeirAmidst family feuds and secrets, Mrs.
Level C1ClassicsPeter Paragon: A Tale of YouthA young boy is born into a household where his parents’ contrasting beliefs and temperaments quietly shape his future.
Level B2ClassicsPeter Binney: A NovelA self-made poultry food magnate wrestles with a life-changing decision, contemplating a bold new direction beyond his business empire.
Level C1ClassicsPeterIn a sultry London flat, two young souls find themselves detached from the dull political chatter of their elders, caught between a world reshaped by war and the unbridgeable gap o…
Level C1ClassicsPersonal reminiscences of Henry IrvingAn intimate friend recalls the remarkable life of Henry Irving, revealing the struggles, triumphs, and inner nature of a celebrated actor through personal anecdotes and reflections…
Level C1ClassicsPersonal Reminiscences in Book Making, and Some Short StoriesJourney into the untamed North American wilderness as a young clerk for the Hudson’s Bay Company, where fur trading, solitude, and rugged adventure unexpectedly shape a future lite…
Level C1ClassicsPersonal Recollections: Abridged, Chiefly in Parts Pertaining to Political and Other Controversies Prevalent at the Time in Great BritainExplore a life shaped by faith, politics, and personal trials through a series of candid letters revealing childhood memories, youthful struggles, and spiritual awakenings amidst 1…
Level C1ClassicsPerkins, the Fakeer: A Travesty on Reincarnation: His wonderful workings in the cases of "When Reginald was Caroline", "How Chopin came to Remsen", and "Clarissa's troublesome baby"When Reginald and Caroline wake to find their minds swapped into each other's bodies, they must navigate the strange and humorous challenges of an uncanny and inexplicable psychica…
Level C1ClassicsPerkins of Portland: Perkins The GreatMeet Perkins, a peculiar ad man with a knack for catchy slogans and a bold plan to sell a plaster that doesn’t even exist—using the power of advertising to create demand before the…
Level C2ClassicsPericles, Prince of TyreA daring prince confronts a deadly riddle posed by a king whose daughter’s beauty hides a sinister secret—solve it or face death.
Level B2ClassicsPerfection CityA newlywed bride arrives at Perfection City, a rugged prairie community where neighbors share labor and life under a dream of collective harmony.
Level C1ClassicsPercy: A TragedyIn a series of intense scenes set at Raby Castle, conflicting loyalties and violent confrontations unfold amid a backdrop of honor and tragedy.
Level C1ClassicsPercy Bysshe ShelleyExplore the tragic brilliance of a poet whose life was cut short just before his genius could fully mature, tracing his lineage, youth, and the promise of a literary legacy forever…
Level C1ClassicsPerch of the DevilIn the shadow of Montana’s shining mountains, a brilliant young rancher grapples with love, ambition, and the weight of heritage.
Level C1ClassicsPeradventure; or, The Silence of GodIn a world where faith and doubt intertwine, a man grapples with the silence of God and the human struggle to understand the divine.
Level C1ClassicsPepita XimenezIn a Spain torn by revolution and clashing ideals, a delicate story unfolds through subtle emotion and keen human insight, capturing the charm and complexity of passions amid socie…
Level C1ClassicsPeople of the Whirlpool: From The Experience Book of a Commuter's WifeAmid the quiet rhythms of a small town, a woman’s journal unfolds tales of family, nature, and the mischievous adventures sparked by two determined children and their inventive, do…
Level C1ClassicsPeople of PositionA battle with South American rebels leaves an Englishman dead and his friend Grierson facing a shattered past and uncertain future.
Level C1ClassicsPeople You KnowWryly observing the colorful characters and everyday follies of small-town life, this collection captures the humor and humanity found just around the corner, told in lively colloq…
Level C1ClassicsPeople Like That: A NovelA young woman embraces independence by moving into a neglected yet charming neighborhood, discovering freedom and self-discovery beyond societal expectations and old friendships.
Level C1ClassicsPens and typesDiscover practical guidance and expert tips from a seasoned proof-reader and educator to improve writing, printing, and reading accuracy.
Level C1ClassicsPenny PlainIn the misty town of Priorsford, the Jardine family shares quiet moments before young David embarks on his first term at Oxford, while the youngest, Gervase, turns everyday life in…
Level C1ClassicsPenguin IslandA devoted monk renounces his royal heritage to lead a monastery, then feels called to spread the Gospel to pagan islanders worshiping a sacred fig tree.
Level C1ClassicsPencil Sketches; or, Outlines of Character and MannersA naval officer returns home after years at sea, eager to reconnect with his charming cousin and attend a grand country party.
Level C1ClassicsPen-portraits of literary womenExplore the lives and works of remarkable literary women, from the Brontës to Mary Shelley, enriched with vivid backgrounds and personal insights that reveal their struggles, achie…
Level C1ClassicsPembroke: A NovelIn a quiet New England village, stubborn wills clash over trivial disputes, revealing the deep, often hidden struggles of its residents.
Level C1ClassicsPelican Pool: A NovelIn the harsh, untamed wilderness of northern Australia, a remote mining camp stands as a fragile outpost against the relentless forces of nature and the encroaching wild.
Level B2ClassicsPegeenA weary painter escapes the city’s chaos for a rustic shack, seeking peace amid nature’s quiet beauty.
Level B2ClassicsPeg O' My HeartIn a small Irish village torn between tradition and rebellion, a fiery agitator returns to challenge the old priest's vision of peace.
Level C1ClassicsPeeps at People: Being Certain Papers from the Writings of Anne Warrington WitherupA determined writer embarks on a whimsical quest to find the elusive explorer Nansen, navigating London’s mysteries and icy adventures to uncover the man behind the legend—where ch…
Level C1ClassicsPeeps at PeopleExplore a lively collection of essays and sketches that capture the spirited essence of youth and the shifting tides of time, revealing the humor and humanity behind everyday peopl…![Cover of Pebbles on the shore [by] Alpha of the plough by A. G. Gardiner](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da6ggmapmtvc73csll9g.webp)
Level C1ClassicsPebbles on the shore [by] Alpha of the ploughReflecting on the quiet solitude of rural life during wartime, a writer adopts the pen name Alpha of the Plough to share intimate essays that capture the moods and musings stirred…
Level C1ClassicsPearls of ThoughtA rich collection of insightful maxims and reflections drawn from timeless literature invites readers to explore wisdom distilled into concise, thought-provoking passages.
Level C1ClassicsPearl-Fishing; Choice Stories from Dickens' Household Words; First SeriesJourney through the English countryside to a quaint village where picturesque ruins and a charming vicarage set the stage for tales of refined poverty, romance, and the quiet beaut…
Level B2ClassicsPeak and Prairie: From a Colorado Sketch-bookIn the shadow of a majestic Rocky Mountain peak, a devoted mother braves a harsh new land, seeking health and hope for her ailing son.
Level B2ClassicsPeach Blossom Shangri-la: Tao Hua Yuan JiA fisherman stumbles upon a hidden valley where a peaceful village lives untouched by time or war, unaware of the outside world’s turmoil.
Level B2ClassicsPeace in Friendship VillageIn a small village winding down its Red Cross efforts, diverse neighbors prepare for a final celebration that reveals their intertwined histories, hopes, and the quiet strength of…
Level C1ClassicsPaz (La Fausse Maitresse)In 1835 Paris, a wealthy heiress marries a young Polish exile amid political tensions and fading fortunes.
Level C1ClassicsPawnedIn the rain-soaked streets of New York’s East Side, a grieving cabman entrusts his newborn daughter to a pawnbroker’s care after a tragic loss, setting the stage for a story of har…
Level C1ClassicsPaula Monti; or, The Hôtel LambertAt the 1837 Paris Opera-ball, high society mingles with mystery and scandal, centering around the enigmatic Princess de Hansfeld of the Hôtel Lambert.
Level C1ClassicsPaul the minstrel, and other storiesStep into a semi-medieval world where romantic adventures mask deeper lessons on the challenges of moral choice and the struggle between impulse and virtue, as a schoolmaster weave…
Level B2ClassicsPaul and His Dog, v.2 (Novels of Paul de Kock Volume XIV)A fearless boy defies warnings to swim in dangerous waters, only to be saved by his loyal dog Ami, whose bravery contrasts with his young master's mischievous nature.
Level C1ClassicsPaul VerlaineA fragile poet wrestles with the torment of creative need and personal weakness, revealing raw human emotion in every line.
Level C1ClassicsPaul Rundel: A NovelIn a mountain village, young Paul Rundel struggles against bullying and harsh family hardships while carrying the weight of his ailing father and a cold mother.