Gothic
Read Gothic Classics in English
66 gothic 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 gothic classics to read in English as a learner?
The best gothic classics for English learners are the well-known titles you can read in the original — start with The strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The feast of Bacchus and The Yellow Wallpaper. 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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| Title | Chapters | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Confessions of an English Opium-Eater | 7 | C1 |
| Checkmate | 88 | C1 |
| Carmilla | 17 | C1 |
| Caleb Williams; Or, Things as They Are | 48 | C1 |
| Barford Abbey, a Novel: In a Series of Letters | 46 | C1 |
| Auriol; or, The Elixir of Life | 31 | C1 |
| Anna St. Ives | 132 | C1 |
| Alonzo and Melissa; Or, The Unfeeling Father: An American Tale | 3 | C1 |
| A Sicilian Romance | 17 | C1 |
| Dracula | 27 | C1 |
| Jane Eyre: An Autobiography | 38 | C1 |
| Lady Audley's Secret | 41 | C1 |
| The King in Yellow | 29 | C1 |
| The Monk: A Romance | 12 | C1 |
| The Mysteries of Udolpho | 57 | C1 |
| The Picture of Dorian Gray | 20 | C1 |
| The Woman in White | 53 | C1 |
| Wuthering Heights | 34 | C1 |
Level C1GothicConfessions of an English Opium-EaterA philosopher’s intimate account reveals the dark allure and torment of opium addiction, exploring the struggle between self-indulgence and self-conquest amid a society secretly bo…
Level C1MysteryCheckmateAmid the shadowed grandeur of Mortlake Hall, a mysterious figure named Longcluse watches a gathering where whispered talk of a brutal murder stirs unease.
Level C1FantasyCarmillaIn a remote Styrian castle surrounded by ancient forests and eerie ruins, a young woman recalls the strange and unsettling events that have haunted her solitary life—events that hi…
Level C1GothicCaleb Williams; Or, Things as They AreA young secretary uncovers a dark secret about his cultured employer, plunging him into a dangerous world of power, betrayal, and relentless pursuit.
Level C1GothicBarford Abbey, a Novel: In a Series of LettersA grieving ward is urged to leave her sorrow-filled home and join companions at Barford Abbey, where the shadows of loss and secrets linger in the gothic halls.
Level C1MysteryAuriol; or, The Elixir of LifeOn the cusp of a new century, a mysterious figure steals grisly trophies from London’s battlements, drawing the attention of Doctor Lamb, an enigmatic alchemist whose dark secrets…
Level C1GothicAnna St. IvesEmbark on a spirited journey through bustling cities and enchanting landscapes as a young woman anticipates reunion, romance, and unexpected intrigues during her travels from Engla…
Level C1GothicAlonzo and Melissa; Or, The Unfeeling Father: An American TaleTwo young Yale graduates forge an unbreakable friendship amid the turmoil of the American Revolution, but when Alonzo steps in to escort Edgar’s sister Melissa, their lives intertw…
Level C1GothicA Sicilian RomanceIn a crumbling Sicilian castle, the noble Mazzini family’s dark past unfolds through tales of luxury, vice, and complex family dynamics.
Level C1HorrorDraculaLetters and journals trace a vampire's voyage from the Carpathians to London.
Level C1RomanceJane Eyre: An AutobiographyThe classic romance novel by Charlotte Brontë.
Level C1MysteryLady Audley's SecretThe classic mystery novel by M.
Level C1HorrorThe King in YellowThe classic mystery novel by Robert W.
Level C1HorrorThe Monk: A RomanceThe classic horror novel by M.
Level C1GothicThe Mysteries of UdolphoThe classic mystery novel by Ann Ward Radcliffe.
Level C1GothicThe Picture of Dorian GrayA portrait ages while its beautiful owner does not — Wilde’s only novel.
Level C1MysteryThe Woman in WhiteThe classic mystery novel by Wilkie Collins.
Level C1GothicWuthering HeightsThe classic gothic novel by Emily Brontë.