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 C1ClassicsLimbo, and Other Essays; To which is now added Ariadne in MantuaExplore a contemplative journey through liminal spaces—both literal and metaphorical—where forgotten memories, lost childhoods, and the delicate threshold between existence and obl…
Level C1ClassicsLilithA man struggles to reclaim life’s beauty after his wife Lilith is brutally murdered, leaving him broken and haunted by grief.
Level C1ClassicsLilianA beautiful young woman toils alone late into the night in a bustling London typewriting office, yearning for the glamorous life just beyond her reach.
Level B2ClassicsLightnin': After the Play of the Same Name by Winchell Smith and Frank BaconIn a small town, Lightnin' Bill Jones is a charmingly lazy storyteller whose easy-going nature masks deeper struggles as his family faces financial hardship.
Level C1ClassicsLighter Moments from the Notebook of Bishop Walsham HowDiscover the joyful and humorous reflections of a deeply pious bishop whose sunny disposition and keen wit illuminate the trials and triumphs of everyday life, offering warmth and…
Level C1ClassicsLight interviews with shadesStep into a surreal interview with Bluebeard’s shade as he reveals the darkly comic and twisted truths behind his infamous marriages, challenging the myths and exposing the chaos o…
Level C1ClassicsLightIn a bleak industrial town, a clerk navigates the daily grind between the factory and divided streets, where the shadows of laborers and the allure of a different life quietly unfo…
Level C1ClassicsLifted Masks; storiesAn American woman navigating Parisian charm and cultural quirks encounters a boisterous fellow countryman whose well-meaning gift plans reveal the surprising nuances of identity an…
Level C1ClassicsLife's Progress Through the Passions; Or, The Adventures of NaturaFollow Natura’s journey through the triumphs and trials of human passions, as youthful innocence gives way to complex emotions and life’s unpredictable challenges test reason, ambi…
Level C1ClassicsLife's Little Ironies: A set of tales with some colloquial sketches entitled A Few Crusted CharactersA young invalid woman, once a parlour-maid, navigates life’s quiet ironies alongside her well-bred son in a London suburb, haunted by memories of her past in a remote village and t…
Level B2ClassicsLife on the Stage: My Personal Experiences and RecollectionsA vivid journey through the trials and triumphs of an aspiring actress, exploring the passion, struggles, and behind-the-scenes realities of life on the theatrical stage.
Level C1ClassicsLife of Sir Walter Scott, with Abbotsford NotandaExplore the life and lineage of a literary giant, tracing his family roots from rugged border farms to the halls of Edinburgh’s esteemed university, revealing the influences that s…
Level C1ClassicsLife of Robert BurnsDive into the life of a soul-stirring Scottish bard, whose heroic spirit is captured in a profound, spiritual portrait that explores his origins, education, and the rich depth behi…
Level B2ClassicsLife of Oliver Wendell HolmesBorn in a historic Cambridge house once frequented by George Washington, Oliver Wendell Holmes grows up amidst tales of Revolutionary valor and a lineage rich with scholars, soldie…
Level C1ClassicsLife of Lord Byron, Vol. 6: With His Letters and JournalsDelve into the turbulent world of Lord Byron as he navigates fading fame, complex friendships, and financial entanglements amid Italy’s literary circles, revealing the fragile bond…
Level C1ClassicsLife of Lord Byron, Vol. 5: With His Letters and JournalsExplore the tumultuous life of a misunderstood poet navigating exile, public scandal, and personal strife in early 19th-century Europe, revealing letters and reflections that illum…
Level C1ClassicsLife of Lord Byron, Vol. 4: With His Letters and JournalsFollow the restless journeys and candid letters of a scandalous poet navigating illness, rivalries, and shifting loyalties across Europe, from Venice to Rome, while wrestling with…
Level C1ClassicsLife of Lord Byron, Vol. 3: With His Letters and JournalsDive into the intimate journals and letters of a restless poet grappling with fame, friendship, and the turbulent world around him—from political upheavals to theatrical triumphs a…
Level C1ClassicsLife of Lord Byron, Vol. 2: With His Letters and JournalsFollow the restless youth of a daring schoolboy turned poet as he returns from continental travels, navigating London’s society and solitude while forging a mind that balances shar…
Level C1ClassicsLife of Lord Byron, Vol. 1: With His Letters and JournalsExplore the tumultuous life of a poet who, exiled yet fiercely connected to England, reveals his deepest thoughts and ambitions through a rich collection of letters and journals th…
ClassicsLife of Johnson, Volume 5: Tour to the Hebrides (1773) and Journey into North Wales (1774)Join a detailed journey through the Hebrides and North Wales in 1773-1774, capturing vivid dialogues and keen observations of Dr.
Level C1ClassicsLife of Johnson, Volume 4: 1780-1784Dive into the sharp wit and profound reflections of Samuel Johnson as remembered through candid conversations and keen observations, revealing the mind behind his celebrated saying…
Level C1ClassicsLife of Johnson, Volume 3: 1776-1780Follow the journey and keen intellect of Samuel Johnson as he navigates society, friendship, and personal reflections during 1776-1780, offering sharp observations on human nature,…
Level C1ClassicsLife of Johnson, Volume 2: 1765-1776Step into the vibrant world of 18th-century literary London, where a towering intellect offers sharp critiques, courtly dedications, and deep friendships.
Level C2ClassicsLife of Johnson, Volume 1: 1709-1765Follow the remarkable journey of Samuel Johnson from his early studies to his rise as a towering literary figure, revealing his correspondence, conversations, and unpublished works…
Level C1ClassicsLife of John SterlingExplore the life of John Sterling, a man whose vibrant intellect and spirit were overshadowed by narrow religious judgments.
Level C1ClassicsLife of Johann Wolfgang GoetheDelve into the early life of Johann Wolfgang Goethe, exploring his family roots, childhood surroundings, and the nurturing influences that shaped the fiery spirit of one of literat…
Level C1ClassicsLife of Harriet Beecher Stowe: Compiled From Her Letters and Journals by Her Son Charles Edward StoweExplore the early life and heartfelt memories of a remarkable woman shaped by family, faith, and loss.
Level C1ClassicsLife of Frances Power Cobbe, as told by herself: with additions by the author, and introduction by Blanche AtkinsonA woman recounts her life marked by brilliant stories, deep friendships, and a passionate crusade against vivisection, all set against the backdrop of her gracious hospitality and…
Level C1ClassicsLife of Edwin Forrest, the American Tragedian. Volume 2 (of 2)Explore the turbulent life of a celebrated American tragedian who battles ruthless newspaper slander and fierce public criticism, yet rises through honest self-reflection and the s…
Level C1ClassicsLife of Edwin Forrest, the American Tragedian. Volume 1 (of 2)Explore the bold and exalted life of Edwin Forrest, a gifted American tragedian whose career challenges prejudices and reveals the clash between dramatic freedom and ascetic ideals…
Level C1ClassicsLife of Charles DickensExplore the turbulent early life and remarkable rise of a literary genius, tracing his childhood struggles, early career, and the creation of beloved characters that captured the s…
Level C1ClassicsLife in the Iron-Mills; Or, The Korl WomanIn a grimy iron-works town cloaked in smoke and despair, a furnace-tender’s life reveals the harsh realities of labor and lost dreams amid the suffocating fog of poverty and indust…
Level C1ClassicsLife in a German Crack RegimentIn a vivid exposé of the German military elite, the "Yellow Butterflies" regiment celebrates a storied anniversary with pomp while revealing the stark contrast between their noble…
Level C1ClassicsLife at High TideIn a quiet New England village, a humble widow and a struggling inventor confront the harsh realities of poverty and unfulfilled promise, revealing the resilience and character ben…
Level C1ClassicsLife and Literature: Over two thousand extracts from ancient and modern writers,: and classified in alphabetical orderA vast collection of over two thousand literary extracts spanning ancient to modern writers invites readers to explore wisdom, eloquence, and insight on life, actions, adversity, a…
Level C1ClassicsLife and Lillian GishStep into the quiet, reflective world of Lillian Gish, a serene and elusive actress whose calm resilience and profound loyalty shield her from the storms of fame.
Level C1ClassicsLife and Letters of Robert BrowningExplore the intimate correspondence and life of Robert Browning through letters and memories, revealing his family origins, early influences, literary beginnings, and the personal…
Level C1ClassicsLife and Gabriella: The Story of a Woman's CourageIn a sunlit Victorian parlor, Gabriella confronts the painful reality of her sister Jane's troubled marriage, vowing that Jane must never return to her unfaithful husband.
Level C1ClassicsLife and Death, and Other Legends and StoriesBetween the peaceful Plain of Life and the mysterious Plain of Death lies a shimmering river where gods govern fate and mortals weave joy and sorrow through love, labor, and sleep.
Level B2ClassicsLife and Death of Harriett FreanA young girl navigates the bittersweet world of childhood, grappling with family love, loss, and the yearning for belonging.
Level C1ClassicsLife Is a DreamAmidst stormy mountain passes and political intrigue, a mysterious prisoner’s fate intertwines with questions of reality and illusion, challenging the boundaries between dreams and…
Level C1ClassicsLife And Letters Of John Gay (1685-1732), Author of "The Beggar's Opera"Explore the vibrant life of a beloved 18th-century literary figure whose wit and friendships with luminaries like Pope and Swift shaped an era.
Level C1ClassicsLibrary of the best American literature: Containing the lives of our authors in story form, their portraits, their homes, and their personal traits, how they worked and what they wrote; choice selections from eminent writers, embracing great American poets and novelists, foremost women in American letters, distinguished critics and essayists, our national humorists, noted journalists and magazine contributors, popular writers for young people, great orators and public lecturersExplore the lives, homes, and personal traits of America's greatest authors alongside choice selections from poets, novelists, humorists, and orators who shaped the nation's litera…
Level C1ClassicsLibrary of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern — Volume 13Explore a rich tapestry of literary history, from the earliest Gothic Bible translations to the poetic reflections of an Indian scholar bridging Eastern and Western cultures, revea…
Level C1ClassicsLibrary of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern — Volume 12Delve into a vast treasury tracing the evolution of literature from ancient manuscripts to Enlightenment thought, featuring detailed accounts of influential works and figures like…
Level C2ClassicsLibrary of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern — Volume 06Explore a rich collection of literary gems and historical insights, featuring voices from renowned poets, historians, and philosophers across centuries, illuminating the tapestry o…
Level C2ClassicsLibrary of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern — Volume 04Dive into a vast anthology showcasing timeless works across history and genres, including poetry, essays, and speeches by renowned figures.