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.
- 6,942
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Level C1ClassicsOf the Orthographie and Congruitie of the Britan Tongue: A Treates, noe shorter than necessarie, for the SchoolesExplore the origins of English spelling and grammar through a rare manuscript penned by a renowned 17th-century Scottish schoolmaster, revealing the linguistic education and schola…
Level C1ClassicsOf one blood: or, The hidden selfIn a bleak Boston setting, Reuel Briggs grapples with isolation, poverty, and a haunting knowledge of supernatural phenomena that could upend scientific understanding.
Level B2ClassicsOf no accountA young man burdened by loss and hardship struggles to find hope and love in a bleak home where his mother has "given up.
Level B2ClassicsOf High DescentAmid rugged coastal cliffs and the relentless Atlantic currents, a sharp-witted fisherman navigates the challenges of sea, family, and the bustling harbor town below, where voices…
Level C1ClassicsOdds and endsStranded on a desolate Irish road as night falls, two determined ladies face a breakdown and the eerie solitude of the countryside.
Level C1ClassicsOdd Numbers: Being Further Chronicles of Shorty McCabeIn a bustling city, a good-natured local finds himself roped into helping a bashful stranger navigate the bewildering world of extravagant millinery, sparking a quirky adventure th…
Level C1ClassicsOctober VagabondsAs summer fades, a weary soul retreats to a secluded woodland shack, seeking solace and renewal in nature's embrace.
Level C1ClassicsObservations of a Retired VeteranA retired veteran reflects with humor and heartfelt insight on the small, vivid moments of life—from a boy's first bare feet of spring to the trials and joys found in everyday huma…
Level C1ClassicsObservations By Mr. DooleyDive into the witty and sharp observations of everyday life, culture, and human nature as seen through the eyes of Mr.
Level C1ClassicsOblomovA gentle, lethargic nobleman drifts through life in his worn Persian dressing gown, embodying a quiet apathy that blurs the line between grace and inertia.
Level C1ClassicsObil, Keeper of CamelsIn a land where whispers and legends intertwine, Obil, the mysterious keeper of camels, balances his wild desert heritage with a deep devotion to faith and family.
Level C1ClassicsO. T., A Danish RomanceCelebrate the exhilarating moment when youthful scholars pass their first exam and step into newfound freedom, as a lively group of friends gather to honor their achievements with…![Cover of O. Henry memorial award prize stories of 1923 by Society of Arts and Sciences [Editor]](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daffjela8p2c739iu800.webp)
Level C1ClassicsO. Henry memorial award prize stories of 1923Dive into a diverse collection of the finest short stories of 1923, chosen by a committee of editors, critics, and writers for their compelling characters and masterful storytellin…![Cover of O. Henry Memorial Award prize stories of 1927 by Society of Arts and Sciences [Editor]](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dafhudda8p2c739iukc0.webp)
Level C2ClassicsO. Henry Memorial Award prize stories of 1927Dive into a captivating collection of the year’s finest short stories, featuring unforgettable characters and vivid tales that explore human dreams, justice, and the spirit beyond…![Cover of O. Henry Memorial Award Prize Stories of 1920 by Society of Arts and Sciences [Editor]](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dagisckup3dc73d99dg0.webp)
Level C1ClassicsO. Henry Memorial Award Prize Stories of 1920Discover a curated collection of the finest American short stories from 1920, each reflecting the spirit and life of the era through award-winning narratives chosen by a distinguis…![Cover of O. Henry Memorial Award Prize Stories of 1919 by Society of Arts and Sciences [Editor]](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da6jhtipmtvc73csnm4g.webp)
Level C1ClassicsO. Henry Memorial Award Prize Stories of 1919Dive into a curated collection of the finest American short stories of 1919, each chosen to honor the spirit and wit of a beloved New York storyteller, offering a rich tapestry of…
Level C1ClassicsO'Flaherty V.C.: A Recruiting PamphletAmidst the turmoil of 1916 Ireland, a bold recruiting sergeant appeals to discontented Irishmen seeking escape and adventure, challenging prejudices and stirring complex loyalties…
Level C1ClassicsNuttie's FatherIn a thriving town rich with schools, churches, and industry, a spirited choir gathers to plan a modest summer outing, stirring debates about culture, community, and the clash of o…
Level C1ClassicsNuts to crack: A galaxy of puzzles, riddles, conundrums, etc.Dive into a collection of clever puzzles, riddles, and wordplay that challenge your wit and delight your mind with surprising twists and linguistic tricks.
Level C1ClassicsNuts and NutcrackersSatirizing the sensationalism of contemporary writers and society’s appetite for exaggerated tales, this sharp critique exposes the blurred lines between truth and fiction in the p…
Level C1ClassicsNurse ElisiaIn a Lincolnshire household fraught with tension and daily trials, Isabel Elthorne navigates the challenges of family duty and care amid her father’s irritable demands and concern…
Level C1ClassicsNumantiaAmidst siege and sacrifice, a city’s fate hangs in the balance as its defenders confront overwhelming odds with unyielding courage and honor, revealing the tragic power and endurin…
Level C1ClassicsNovel NotesIn the shadowed streets of East London, a boy’s fascination with ghosts turns into a poignant reflection on life, memory, and lost innocence.
Level C1ClassicsNouvellettes of the musiciansStep into the vibrant world of 18th-century musicians where passion, rivalry, and the struggle for recognition unfold.
Level C1ClassicsNourmahal, an Oriental romance. Vol. 3 of 3In a lush, spring-warmed Cashmere, a young prince's presence stirs excitement as Nourmahal navigates court intrigues and mysterious visitors bearing news of a distant land and a di…
Level C1ClassicsNourmahal, an Oriental romance. Vol. 2 of 3Amidst the glittering courts and turbulent politics of Mughal India, a prince leads a growing rebellion against his father, the emperor, sparking a fierce struggle for power that t…
Level C1ClassicsNourmahal, an Oriental romance. Vol. 1 of 3In the majestic Himalayan valleys, Kazim Ayas, a scholar and lover, embarks on a perilous quest through shadowy ravines and hidden lakes to rescue his cherished falcon, a precious…
Level C1ClassicsNoughts and Crosses: Stories, Studies and SketchesIn the sweltering heat of London, a diverse group of weary passengers share a silent journey on an overcrowded omnibus, until a young boy's first encounter with the city stirs long…
Level C1ClassicsNotwithstandingA young woman stands on the brink of despair along the turbulent Seine, wrestling with deep inner turmoil beneath the bright Parisian sun.
Level C1ClassicsNotre Coeur; or, A Woman's Pastime: A NovelIn a world where joy turns to misery and noble intentions mask cruel selfishness, a deeply emotional narrative unfolds, exploring the inevitable traps of human life and the relentl…
Level C1ClassicsNotes on the Mangue: An Extinct Dialect Formerly Spoken in NicaraguaExplore the remnants of the Mangue language, once spoken in Nicaragua but now extinct, through rare notes and fragments collected from the last native speakers and historical recor…
Level C1ClassicsNotes on My BooksJourney into distant lands where vivid realities challenge misconceptions and reveal the shared humanity beneath exotic landscapes, as a writer reflects on his evolving relationshi…
Level C2ClassicsNotes of a Son and BrotherStruggling with the harsh demands of Swiss schooling and a crushing fear of mathematics, a young man navigates family expectations and his own literary passions amid the scenic bac…
Level C1ClassicsNot Without ThornsA young captain arrives on a foggy evening in the bleak town of Wareborough, drawn into the mysterious world of Barnwood Terrace where an enigmatic young woman awaits and secrets l…
Level C1ClassicsNot Pretty, but Precious; And Other Short StoriesA handsome socialite, trapped by scandal and a broken leg, hastily marries a plain, devoted schoolteacher to escape a threatening marriage proposal.
Level C1ClassicsNostromo: A Tale of the SeaboardAmid the turmoil of a South American revolution, a trusted man seizes a lighter full of silver, sparking a tale of ambition, betrayal, and shifting loyalties in the shadowy coastal…
Level C1ClassicsNostalgiaA woman raised by the solitude of nature faces the overwhelming bustle of city life, struggling to reconcile her deep connection to the natural world with the relentless pulse of h…
Level C1ClassicsNorthern Lights, Volume 5.A disgraced Royal North-West Mounted Police sergeant, haunted by a tragic mistake, resigns and drifts into tavern life in the Saskatchewan frontier town of Kowatin, where past dang…
Level B2ClassicsNorthern Lights, Volume 4.In the unforgiving expanse of Athabasca's frozen North, a reluctant missionary known as "Sleeping Beauty" sets out to confront brutal winters, isolation, and the challenges of indi…
Level C1ClassicsNorthern Lights, Volume 1.In a changing Far West caught between fading wilderness and emerging civilization, a young Indian wife and her white husband navigate love, tradition, and the looming hardships of…
Level B2ClassicsNorthern Georgia SketchesIn the sweltering heat of Northern Georgia, a humble abolitionist and a struggling couple navigate the harsh realities of debt, land, and the complicated legacy of slavery, where d…
Level C1ClassicsNorse Tales and SketchesIn a lively Parisian dinner party, a mysterious Irishman captivates a socialite with his quiet charm amidst a melting pot of languages and personalities, revealing glimpses of Scan…
Level B2ClassicsNorine's Revenge, and, Sir Noel's HeirOn a snowy March morning, a reserved New York lawyer’s routine train ride is disrupted when a mysterious, enchanting young French-Canadian woman boards, stirring unexpected curiosi…
Level C1ClassicsNonsense NovelsStep into the chaotic world of the Great Detective, who juggles disguises and cryptograms to unravel a baffling royal kidnapping that threatens international peace.
Level C1ClassicsNone so deaf as those who won't hearTrapped in a quiet, suffocating world, Eglantine battles loneliness and her deaf father’s stubborn silence that blocks both conversation and suitors.
Level C1ClassicsNone Other GodsIn the serene setting of Cambridge’s Great Court, two friends clash over one’s seemingly reckless choices, hinting at a profound spiritual journey marked by daring, faith, and tran…
Level C1ClassicsNona VincentIn a warm, golden drawing-room, a young writer finds solace and inspiration in the company of Mrs.
Level B2ClassicsNobody's faultIn foggy London, an editor rediscovers the powerful novel of Bridget Ruan, a once-promising schoolgirl turned striking author.