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
- books
Level C1ClassicsMonsieur De PourceaugnacA young woman and her lover plot to sabotage an arranged marriage to a dull provincial suitor arriving in Paris, using wit and deception to outsmart the persistent Monsieur de Pour…
Level C1ClassicsMonsieur CheramiIn bustling Paris, near lively wedding banquets and crowded omnibuses, a vibrant scene unfolds where joy, commerce, and the anticipation of weekend journeys intertwine, inviting yo…
Level C1ClassicsMonday or TuesdayGhostly whispers and hidden treasures haunt the rooms of a mysterious house, while a group of friends confronts the unexpected despair of a woman who finds the world of books not a…
Level C1ClassicsMona Maclean, Medical Student: A NovelA determined medical student faces the intense pressure of exams and societal expectations, questioning whether she will pass and what failure truly means in a world that often ove…
Level C1ClassicsMoments with Mark TwainDive into sharp wit and candid reflections as a legendary humorist challenges moralistic critics and shares insights on life’s small indulgences, revealing the evolution of a uniqu…
Level B2ClassicsMolly's treacheryA young woman trapped in a gloomy estate longs to escape her strict hostess and dreary surroundings, dreaming of a freer, more glamorous life beyond the shadowed woods.
Level C1ClassicsMollentrave on Women: A comedy in three actsIn a finely drawn Edwardian household, tensions rise between servants, companions, and a brilliant advocate as private rooms and personal loyalties collide.
Level C1ClassicsMogens, and Other StoriesAmid the intellectual upheaval of 1870s Denmark, a unique voice emerges, blending keen observation with deep emotional insight.
Level C1ClassicsModeste MignonIn 1829 Normandy, a notary and his allies devise a secret scheme involving the young Modeste Mignon, setting the stage for intrigue and unexpected encounters in a provincial town w…
Level C1ClassicsModes and moralsExplore the clash between democracy, technology, and social change as labor-saving devices reshape American life, contrasting with European traditions of personal service, and reve…
Level C1ClassicsModern literature: a novel, Volume 3 (of 3)A young man torn between law and literature embarks on a journey of self-discovery, love, and ambition, exploring England’s majestic landscapes and the intricate balance of duty an…
Level C1ClassicsModern literature: a novel, Volume 2 (of 3)Discover the vibrant seaside town of Brighton, where idleness reigns and the pursuit of leisure unfolds amidst striking landscapes and social intrigues, challenging notions of dece…
Level C1ClassicsModern literature: a novel, Volume 1 (of 3)Explore the social and literary scenes of early 19th-century Britain through vivid portraits of characters ranging from boastful schoolmasters to gossipy villagers, revealing the f…
Level C1ClassicsModern Icelandic Plays: Eyvind of the Hills; The Hraun FarmIn the rugged Icelandic wilderness, a patriarch’s hopes for his daughter clash with her love for a young geologist, igniting a dramatic struggle between tradition and desire amid n…
Level C1ClassicsModern FictionExplore a passionate critique of modern fiction’s obsession with literal truth, arguing that true art demands idealization and creative genius to elevate characters and life beyond…
Level C1ClassicsModern Eloquence: Vol II, After-Dinner Speeches E-OA passionate defense of American literature unfolds at a Southern banquet, challenging the notion of regional writing as provincial and asserting a unified national identity rooted…
Level C1ClassicsModern Broods; Or, Developments Unlooked ForA gentlewoman unexpectedly inherits a modest Devonshire estate, upending her quiet life as she navigates the hopes and realities of newfound fortune while reflecting on duty, famil…
Level C1ClassicsModern American Prose SelectionsExplore a rich tapestry of contemporary American prose, featuring thoughtful reflections on national heritage, immigration, labor, education, and personal journeys.
Level B2ClassicsModel Speeches for PractiseMaster the art of public speaking through carefully selected exemplary speeches that guide you in analysis, practice, and delivery.
Level C1ClassicsMlle. Fouchette: A Novel of French LifeA resilient street child named Fouchette navigates the harsh streets outside Paris, scavenging for scraps and facing cruelty with fierce determination.
Level B2ClassicsMixed GrillA young host enlists the help of the charming and mysterious Mr.
Level C1ClassicsMixed FacesTwo men, identical in appearance but worlds apart in character—a dignified judge and a lively commercial traveler—cross paths in a bustling hotel, setting the stage for a tale of m…
Level C1ClassicsMitchelhurst Place: A Novel. Vol. 2 (of 2)A young man waits anxiously for a letter that never comes, caught in a tense estrangement from Barbara and the mysterious Mitchelhurst Place.
Level C1ClassicsMitchelhurst Place: A Novel. Vol. 1 (of 2)In a quiet countryside setting, a young man awaits a girl whose innocent beauty captivates him as she gathers autumn berries along a deserted lane, setting the stage for a story of…
Level C1ClassicsMistress and Maid: A Household StoryIn a modest household where three sisters juggle teaching and endless chores, the arrival of a new maid promises change and challenges.
Level B2ClassicsMistress AnneIn a quiet riverside lodge, a young schoolteacher yearns for youthful companionship and vibrant life beyond her simple, isolated world.
Level C1ClassicsMissy: A NovelAs Missy anxiously prepares for an unwelcome guest in her quiet, carefully arranged home, tensions rise between duty and personal feelings, hinting at complex family dynamics and t…
Level B2ClassicsMissingAs war looms, two sisters navigate the fragile balance of duty and independence in a quiet Lakeland town, where love, loss, and the looming front test their bond and future.
Level C1ClassicsMiss Theodosia's HeartstringsMiss Theodosia returns home after years away to find unexpected chaos and charm in the care of spirited children, a mysterious Stefana, and the struggles of a hardworking mother.
Level B2ClassicsMiss Theodora: A West End StoryIn Boston’s old West End, Miss Theodora devotes herself to raising her orphaned nephew Ernest, determined to restore their family’s lost fortune and honor despite fading wealth and…
Level C1ClassicsMiss Stuart's LegacyAt an Indian railway station, a young Englishwoman arrives alone, clutching a wedding cake box, sparking curiosity and concern among seasoned Anglo-Indian residents who warn her th…
Level C1ClassicsMiss MoleMiss Hannah Mole navigates the constraints of her modest life as a companion, weaving small deceptions and adventures in the quiet streets of Radstowe.
Level B2ClassicsMiss Mink's Soldier and Other StoriesIn a small town gripped by war, a fiercely independent woman resists the call to host a soldier for Sunday dinner—until a mysterious Russian soldier chooses her, challenging her fe…
Level C1ClassicsMiss MeredithA young woman faces the bittersweet choice to leave her devoted family in London for a governess position in a grand Pisan palace, stepping into a world of art, culture, and new be…
Level C1ClassicsMiss Mehetabel's SonIn a forgotten New Hampshire crossroads, an old tavern clings to life amid fading mail-coaches and lost towns.
Level B2ClassicsMiss McDonaldA young man’s sudden decision to marry a mysterious sixteen-year-old girl with only her beauty to recommend her sparks suspicion and unease among those who know him best, as prepar…
Level C1ClassicsMiss MappIn a quaint town, a sharp-eyed woman watches her neighbors with suspicion and curiosity from her strategic window, uncovering the secret lives and social intrigues of those around…
Level C1ClassicsMiss Lulu BettIn a quiet household where roles are rigid and voices gentle, Lulu Bett lives as the invisible burden beneath polite appearances.
Level C1ClassicsMiss Heck's Thanksgiving Party; or, Topsy Up To DateIn a small town where servants are scarce, Miss Myra Heck, a clever and spirited young woman, navigates the challenges of her station with wit and flair.
Level B2ClassicsMiss Gibbie GaultIn a small town where tradition reigns, Miss Gibbie Gault stands apart with her unconventional ways—ordering hats years in advance and managing a mysterious family graveyard no one…
Level C1ClassicsMiss Esperance and Mr WycherlyIn a quaint Northern village, the dignified Miss Esperance quietly supports her community while sharing her home with the learned but occasionally boisterous Mr.
Level B2ClassicsMiss Civilization: A Comedy in One ActIn a snowy Long Island mansion just after Christmas, Alice Gardner faces a tense midnight burglary while desperately calling for help to protect her ill mother and their home from…
Level C1ClassicsMiss BrethertonIn the vibrant world of London's theatre and art scene, an actress navigates the delicate balance of beauty, talent, and public scrutiny, revealing the complex interplay between pe…
Level C1ClassicsMiss Bracegirdle and othersA devoted woman ventures far from her quiet English town to meet her ailing sister-in-law in Bordeaux, confronting unfamiliar customs and her own fears in a journey defined by duty…
Level B2ClassicsMiss BillyOrphaned and isolated at eighteen, Billy Neilson clings to a fragile hope as she reaches out to the mysterious William Henshaw—her father's old friend and her only link to family—s…
Level C1ClassicsMiss Ayr of Virginia, & other storiesA young Southern belle steps into the dazzling, judgmental world of New York high society for the first time, facing sharp contrasts between wealth, manners, and upbringing as she…
Level C1ClassicsMiss Arnott's MarriageA woman grapples with shame and despair after her husband is sentenced to hard labor, revealing a haunting portrait of loyalty, hardship, and the harsh realities behind a fractured…
Level B2ClassicsMiser Farebrother: A Novel (vol. 3 of 3)A desperate man faces ruin after losing a fortune betting on horse races under a false name, while a shrewd captain offers a risky chance to reclaim his losses—if only he can summo…