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 B2ClassicsPaul RalstonIn Oak City, Miss Phebe Hansford anticipates a bustling summer season as visitors arrive and the town awakens from winter’s gloom, while she navigates family tensions and the promi…
Level C1ClassicsPaul PatoffA reflective narrator invites you into a tale woven with the restless whispers of the south wind, exploring the tension between youthful hope and the inevitable shadows of aging an…
Level C1ClassicsPaul KelverIn the shadowed streets of London's East End, a worn man revisits a crumbling house that holds memories of a troubled past and faded family hopes.
Level C1ClassicsPaul Faber, SurgeonIn a tranquil English countryside, a spirited surgeon and a benevolent rector cross paths, revealing glimpses of their intertwined lives amidst rural charm, humor, and the quiet pu…
Level C1ClassicsPaul Clifford — Volume 04In a shadowy alehouse, a band of roguish companions plot their next daring exploit, blending wit, rivalry, and ambition as they navigate the blurred lines between gentlemanly charm…
Level C1ClassicsPaul Clifford — Volume 01A gripping exploration of crime and punishment unveils the harsh realities of a young man shaped by a corrupt prison system and society’s brutal justice.
Level B2ClassicsPatsyIn the wild Irish moors, Mr.
Level C1ClassicsPatrins: To Which Is Added an Inquirendo Into the Wit & Other Good Parts of His Late Majesty King Charles the SecondFollow a reflective scholar’s musings on knowledge, youth, and the pursuit of wisdom through poetic wanderings and sharp critique, as he navigates the tensions between learning and…
Level B2ClassicsPatience Sparhawk and Her Times: A NovelIn the rugged pine woods of Monterey, spirited Patience Sparhawk wrestles with her restless nature and the slow pace of life around her, forging a bond with her gentle Spanish frie…
Level C1ClassicsPaths of JudgementIn a serene yet solitary house surrounded by vibrant gardens and sweeping landscapes, tensions stir between Mrs.
Level B2ClassicsPastorals of DorsetIn the windswept fields of Dorset, Farmer Joyce and his aging shepherd face the challenges of lambing season amid changing seasons and quiet struggles.
Level C1ClassicsPaste JewelsA newlywed couple embarks on married life with high hopes, only to discover that managing household servants—each with their own quirks and loyalties—poses unexpected challenges th…
Level C1ClassicsPast Redemption: A Drama in Four ActsIn a rustic barn under moonlight, farmers and young women gather for a husking, where lively banter reveals budding romances, rivalries, and the art of courting amidst the simple r…
Level C1ClassicsPassion fruitIn the tropical harbor of Noumea, a charming young officer’s chance encounter with the enigmatic Ribot sisters—beautiful twins with a mysterious past—unfolds amid lingering passion…
Level B2ClassicsPassing of the Third Floor BackA mysterious young stranger arrives at a gloomy Bloomsbury boarding house, where his presence stirs curiosity and unsettles the sharp-tempered landlady.
Level B2ClassicsPassing ByA young man navigates London society and office life while observing the comings and goings of acquaintances with varied ambitions and tastes, revealing a world of fleeting connect…
Level C1ClassicsPassamaquoddy TextsExplore the rich linguistic and cultural heritage of the Passamaquoddy and Maliseet peoples of Maine and New Brunswick through their unique language, wampum records, and oral tradi…
Level C1ClassicsPassages from the American Notebooks, Volume 2.Experience the trials and humor of communal living at Brook Farm, where the narrator learns farming, confronts unruly cows, and bonds with a quirky group of settlers striving to bu…
Level C1ClassicsPassages from the American Notebooks, Volume 1Immerse yourself in vivid walks through 1830s Salem, where natural beauty and keen observations bring to life seaweed-strewn shores, lively pastures, and the curious habits of pigs…
Level C1ClassicsPassages from a Relinquished Work (From "Mosses from an Old Manse")A young man chafes under the stern guardianship of a village parson, rejecting conventional careers to embrace a wandering life as a storyteller.
Level C1ClassicsPartners: A Novel.On a serene spring afternoon, a young woman confronts her guardian's cold calculations about marriage, wealth, and duty, challenging the harsh realities of love and ambition in a w…
Level C1ClassicsParodies of the works of English & American authors, vol. VExplore a rich collection of witty parodies that reimagine the celebrated poems of English and American authors, from Gray’s haunting elegies to the stirring songs of the Civil War…
Level C1ClassicsParodies of the works of English & American authors, vol. IIIExplore witty and insightful parodies that playfully critique renowned English and American poets, turning their grand themes and styles on their head to reveal the absurdities ben…
Level C2ClassicsParodies of the works of English & American authors, vol. IIExplore a witty collection that mocks the grandiose and absurd in the works of Shakespeare, Milton, Tennyson, Poe, and more, revealing the playful side of literary giants through s…
Level C1ClassicsParodies of the works of English & American authors, vol. IDive into a witty collection that playfully exposes the absurdities and quirks of renowned English and American poets through sharp, clever parodies.
Level C1ClassicsParlous Times: A Novel of Modern DiplomacyIn a sultry South American setting, a disillusioned British officer newly wed to a powerful heiress faces a covert conspiracy involving bribery, secret papers, and shadowy figures…
Level C1ClassicsParisians in the CountryA charmingly flawed traveling salesman encounters the quaint countryside and its quirky inhabitants, setting the stage for a mix of humor, social satire, and intricate character st…
Level C1ClassicsParisian Points of ViewStep into the lively world of Parisian society through sharp, witty portraits that blend delicate irony with vivid drama, revealing the charming and sometimes mischievous lives beh…
Level C1ClassicsParadise Garden: The Satirical Narrative of a Great ExperimentA struggling philosopher is unexpectedly offered a lucrative opportunity tied to the controversial legacy of a reclusive millionaire who sought to reshape society.
Level C1ClassicsParables of a ProvinceIn a remote mountain valley, Hepnon, a resilient cripple, devotes himself to crafting an organ that captures the mystical music of the legendary Golden Pipes, promising a melody th…
Level C1ClassicsParables from flowersAmidst a quiet oak, a family of wrens builds a cozy nest, surrounded by caring woodland birds.
Level C1ClassicsPapa BouchardIn a quiet Parisian household, the sudden departure of every man—manservant, guardian, and even a parrot—unleashes hidden desires for freedom and rebellion, challenging a life of s…
Level C1ClassicsPandoraA young German diplomat embarks on a transatlantic voyage, observing the diverse passengers and grappling with his rigid conservative views as he prepares to navigate the complexit…
Level C1ClassicsPan's gardenAn artist captures the unique spirit of trees with uncanny accuracy, revealing their hidden personalities in vivid portraits.
Level C1ClassicsPanA solitary wanderer retreats from the suffocating city to the raw, untamed countryside, confronting nature, love, and the inescapable forces that shape human existence with biting…
Level C1ClassicsPamela, or Virtue RewardedA young servant girl faces uncertainty after her mistress’s death but finds unexpected kindness from her new master, who promises protection if she remains faithful and diligent.
Level C1ClassicsPamela, Volume IIA virtuous young wife navigates the joys and trials of married life, balancing duty, affection, and social grace while cherishing the simple pleasures of home and family.
Level C1ClassicsPamela Giraud: A Play in Five ActsIn post-Napoleonic Paris, a spirited flower-maker named Pamela navigates love, class tensions, and mysterious danger as suitors vie for her heart amid political intrigue and secret…
Level C1ClassicsPamela CensuredExplore the fierce literary battle sparked by a novel praised as a moral guide but swiftly challenged for its truthfulness and virtue.
Level B2ClassicsPainted WindowsA father and child embark on a rugged, unpredictable journey through Michigan’s wild forests and uncertain roads, where adventure and the bond between them face the challenges of n…
Level C1ClassicsPainted VeilsA young woman arrives in snowy New York, seeking a fresh start but faces loneliness and uncertainty in a modest hotel filled with music and strangers.
Level C1ClassicsPages from a Journal with Other PapersStep into a vivid 1868 encounter with the formidable Thomas Carlyle, as intimate reflections and candid conversations reveal the struggles and triumphs behind his celebrated works…
Level C1ClassicsPagan PapersJourney along ancient English roads that seem to lead themselves, each path whispering tales of history, nature, and mystery.
Level C1ClassicsPadre Ignacio; Or, The Song of TemptationIn the tranquil mission of Santa Ysabel del Mar, Padre Ignacio longs for a glimpse of the world he left behind, torn between the serene beauty of his exile and the restless memorie…
Level C1ClassicsPaddy-The-Next-Best-ThingStruggling to choose a blouse that matches her colorful wardrobe, lively Paddy Adair enlists her dreamy sister’s help amid playful banter and unexpected visits.
Level C1ClassicsPablo de Segovia, the Spanish SharperFollow the cunning exploits of Pablo de Segovia, a sharp-witted trickster navigating schools, universities, and the bustling streets of Madrid, as he weaves through a world of knav…
Level C1ClassicsP.'s Correspondence (From "Mosses from an Old Manse")A mind caught between past and present blurs reality as a confined man journeys through vivid, spectral encounters with historic figures like Lord Byron.
Level C1ClassicsP'laski's Tunament: 1891In a Virginia county steeped in history, an esteemed visitor known as "Old Hanover" arrives with a grand entourage, sharing tales of loyalty, lineage, and the enduring ties to a va…