Classics
Read Classics Classics in English
5,292 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 The Masterfolk, The Master; a Novel and The Master-Knot of Human Fate. 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 C1ClassicsCape of Storms: A NovelA young man leaves his quiet Midwestern village, full of hope and ambition, to conquer the bustling city and forge his future.
Level B2ClassicsCape Cod StoriesTwo old mariners receive mysterious, ornate invitations to a high-society wedding, thrusting them from their quiet Cape Cod life into a world of wealth and social intrigue.
Level C1ClassicsCape Cod FolksOn Cape Cod's rugged shores, Aunt Sibylla warns her community of looming dangers with fiery passion, sparking a mix of fear, faith, and folklore.
Level C1ClassicsCape Breton TalesExperience the quiet beauty and fading glory of Arichat, a Cape Breton town where summer arrives late and the Acadian community gathers in vibrant, heartfelt celebrations amidst a…
Level B2ClassicsCap'n Warren's WardsCaught in a fierce storm and a delayed train, a gruff sea captain returns from a mysterious business deal in Cape Cod, sparking curiosity in a weary lawyer trapped on the journey.
Level B2ClassicsCap'n Jonah's fortuneA seasoned mariner arrives at a quiet Cape Cod home bearing a mysterious sea chest, stirring the lives of a spirited young woman left alone and longing for escape.
Level B2ClassicsCap'n EriThree seasoned sea captains share camaraderie and humor in a cozy, weathered seaside home, navigating the small frustrations and simple joys of their daily lives while awaiting the…
Level B2ClassicsCap'n Dan's DaughterIn the fading summer season of a quiet seaside town, Captain Daniel Dott struggles to keep his family’s dry goods store afloat amid fierce competition and dwindling customers.
Level C1ClassicsCandideA young man named Candide embarks on a rapid-fire journey filled with absurd misfortunes and sharp satire, challenging the optimistic philosophy that this is the best of all possib…
Level C1ClassicsCandidaIn the gritty suburbs of London, Reverend Morell juggles his role as a Christian Socialist clergyman with the challenges of family and social duty, all set against the backdrop of…
Level C1ClassicsCamilla; or, A Picture of YouthAmid the peaceful parsonage of Etherington, young Camilla navigates the trials of youth and virtue, where family contrasts and the complexities of the human heart shape her journey…
Level B2ClassicsCamilla: A Tale of a Violin: Being the Artist Life of Camilla UrsoIn a charming French town, a young girl named Camilla grows up surrounded by music, inspired by her parents' artistry.
Level C1ClassicsCambridge PiecesExplore the art of clear and powerful expression through reflections on writing style, simplicity, and the struggle to shape thoughts into words.
Level B2ClassicsCalvary: A NovelBorn into a quiet provincial town shadowed by ancient forests and fading traditions, a sickly child recalls a childhood steeped in family legacy, rural mysteries, and the strange i…
Level B2ClassicsCalvary AlleyIn a gritty urban alley transformed by time, spirited young Nance Molloy fiercely claims her place amid longstanding neighborhood rivalries and childhood battles, setting in motion…
Level C1ClassicsCalumet "K"A massive grain elevator project faces delays and misfortune, prompting a seasoned troubleshooter to take charge amidst harsh conditions and tense labor.
Level C1ClassicsCaleb Wright: A Story of the WestA young couple navigates love and ambition in New York City, dreaming of success beyond their modest means—until an unexpected inheritance challenges their future and forces them t…
Level C1ClassicsCaleb Conover, RailroaderIn a world where wealth and power collide, Caleb Conover, a railroad magnate, throws an extravagant reception to win social recognition—yet old grudges and political ambitions thre…
Level C1ClassicsCalamities and Quarrels of AuthorsExplore the hidden struggles behind the life of authors, revealing the moral and financial hardships they endure despite their intellectual pursuits and societal honor.
Level C1ClassicsCaesar and CleopatraIn a moonlit courtyard on Egypt’s border, noble guardsmen face the ominous arrival of Roman forces led by Julius Caesar.
Level C1ClassicsCabin FeverAn ex-cow-puncher turned auto stage owner faces the restless grip of cabin fever as he navigates the scenic routes of the Santa Cruz Mountains, discovering unexpected love and test…
Level C1ClassicsCabbages and KingsIn the volatile republic of Anchuria, the mysterious death of President Miraflores and the fate of the captivating opera singer Doña Isabel Guilbert intertwine with political intri…
Level C1ClassicsByronExplore the complex legacy of a poet whose fierce intellect and noble lineage sparked admiration and controversy across Europe, revealing how his heritage and character shaped his…
Level C1ClassicsBylow HillIn a quiet New England town, Lieutenant Godfrey Winslow returns home to navigate the tangled emotions of love and loyalty among old friends and family, where hidden cares and unspo…
Level C1ClassicsBye-WaysAmid the wild night sounds of Morocco, a newlywed couple escapes the glare of fame—she, a celebrated actress craving anonymity and starlit solitude; he, captivated and bewildered b…
Level C1ClassicsBy the Light of the Soul: A NovelIn a small town church vestry, young Maria Edgham wrestles with innocence, dreams, and the weight of family struggles, as summer’s scents mingle with whispered prayers and the comp…
Level C1ClassicsBy the Good Sainte Anne: A Story of Modern QuebecAn American girl trapped in a remote Quebec village struggles with isolation, language barriers, and her skepticism of faith while encountering the local culture and its deeply hel…
Level C1ClassicsBy the Christmas FireBy the Christmas fire, a former bayonet transforms from a weapon of war into a humble poker, symbolizing the hope for peace amid a world shaped by conflict and survival.
Level C1ClassicsBy the Barrow River, and Other StoriesIn a fortress shadowed by prophecy and political intrigue, a guard gifted with otherworldly sight and hearing perceives ominous signs of war and downfall.
Level C1ClassicsBy ViolenceIn a fog-shrouded town, Simon Searell rejects hollow rituals to seek the true heart of religion, confronting the harsh realities of faith and nature.
Level C1ClassicsBy The Sea: 1887In a quiet Massachusetts coastal village, James Parsons, a seafaring man with a distinctive maritime spirit, navigates the rhythms of everyday life and local history, revealing the…
Level C1ClassicsBy Right of Conquest: A NovelBeneath the luxury of a grand steamship, the grueling toil of unseen stokers unfolds in a harsh world of heat, grime, and despair.
Level C1ClassicsBy Force of Impulse: A Drama in Five ActsPowerful wills clash and passions ignite in a drama filled with stern Puritans, noble sons, eccentric lawyers, and impulsive beauties, set against a backdrop of societal expectatio…
Level C1ClassicsBy Birth a LadyA gentleman’s daring hunt ends in a devastating fall, leaving him gravely injured at a rural inn.
Level B2ClassicsBuying a HorseA man sets out to buy the perfect family horse, navigating a colorful cast of dealers and dubious ponies while learning the quirks and pitfalls of equine commerce in the countrysid…
Level C1ClassicsBush studiesA lone woman journeys through a stormy, eerie Australian bush, haunted by memories of home and the instinct of impending motherhood.
Level C1ClassicsBurlesquesIn a bustling city market, a young man drifts between the vibrant chaos of commerce and the quiet depths of love and tragedy.
Level C1ClassicsBuried Alive: A Tale of These DaysIn a gloomy London house, a solitary fifty-year-old bachelor wrestles with loneliness and unfulfilled desires, his thoughts consumed by the enigmatic success of the elusive artist…
Level C1ClassicsBurgess Unabridged: A new dictionary of words you have always neededDive into a lively, inventive dictionary that captures the ever-evolving, playful spirit of English, blending slang, neologisms, and fresh expressions to reflect the language of 19…
Level C1ClassicsBureaucracyIn the heart of Parisian bureaucracy, Xavier Rabourdin navigates the rigid corridors of power, ambition, and love, caught between his modest origins and the dazzling prospects of m…
Level C1ClassicsBunyan Characters (3rd Series)A vivid spiritual battle unfolds as Mansoul is besieged, captured, and defended in this allegory of faith and conflict, drawing deep from biblical wars and the author's own wartime…
Level C1ClassicsBunyan Characters (2nd Series)A brisk, well-dressed young gentleman embarks on a challenging pilgrimage, contrasting sharply with two weathered travelers who warn him of the difficulties ahead.
Level C1ClassicsBunner SistersIn a fading New York neighborhood, two sisters run a modest shop amid decline and dust, clinging to neatness and quiet pride.
Level C1ClassicsBunker BeanA timid young man named Bunker Bean longs to transform himself into the confident, dashing figure he imagines—tall, stylish, and magnetic—while navigating the challenges of life an…
Level C1ClassicsBunch Grass: A Chronicle of Life on a Cattle RanchExperience the rugged life of a Southern California cattle ranch in the 1880s, where pioneers, outlaws, and settlers clash amid the transforming wildlands.
Level C1ClassicsBully McGraneIn the rough-and-tumble town of Pistol Gap, marshal Bully McGrane rules with an iron fist, but the arrival of the enigmatic and defiant Tud Drury stirs tension and threatens the fr…
Level B2ClassicsBuffalo Bill's death messageExperience the thrilling life of Buffalo Bill, a legendary scout and showman who shaped the American West through daring adventures, fierce battles, and unforgettable hunts.
Level C1ClassicsBuell HamptonAt Lake Geneva, a thrilling tennis match sparks a tale of love and ambition, weaving together the lives of an American heiress, an English nobleman, and the mysterious Major Buell…