CEFR C1 · Advanced
Read Advanced Classics in English (C1)
1416 books graded at CEFR C1 (advanced) — learn English by reading the stories worth reading at exactly your level. Tap any word for an instant translation, listen to the narration, and save the vocabulary you meet. Start with a free sample.
What are the best C1 books to read in English?
The best C1 books to read in English are well-known classics whose own language sits at that level — start with Émile Zola, Novelist and Reformer: An Account of His Life & Work, Æsop's Fables: A Version for Young Readers and Æsop's Fables, Embellished with One Hundred and Eleven Emblematical Devices.. Each is the complete book, labelled CEFR C1 (advanced), with tap-to-translate, narration and saved vocabulary, so you read a real story while building the English you actually meet in it.
- 1,416
- books
Level C1PoetryThe Poems of Emma Lazarus, Volume 1Explore the profound and melancholic world of a gifted poet whose early works delve into themes of loss, beauty, and myth, capturing the restless spirit of youth and the timeless a…
Level C1PoetryThe Poems and Verses of Charles DickensStep into a world where comic opera meets familiar English scenes, as a young writer teams up with a composer to bring lively songs and spirited characters to the stage.
Level C1PoetryThe Poems and Prose of Ernest Dowson, With a Memoir by Arthur SymonsDive into a haunting collection of poetry and prose that reveals the restless spirit and delicate melancholy of a poet whose life was as fleeting as his verses.
Level C1PoetryThe Poems and Prose Poems of Charles Baudelaire: with an Introductory Preface by James HunekerDive into the dark, sensual world of a poet haunted by legend and self-mystification, where beauty, death, and despair intertwine in provocative verses and haunting prose poems.
Level C1PoetryThe Poems and Fragments of CatullusDive into the intricate art of classical poetry as this collection explores the challenges and triumphs of translating ancient Latin metres into English, revealing the delicate bal…
Level C1PoetryThe Pleasures of a Single Life, Or, The Miseries of Matrimony: Occasionally writ upon the many divorces lately granted by Parliament. With The choice, or, the pleasures of a country-life. Dedicated to the beaus against the next vacation.Escape the trials of matrimony and embrace the serene joys of single life, where books, nature, and quiet contemplation offer boundless delight and wisdom without the storms of wor…
Level C1PoetryThe Placid Pug, and Other RhymesA placid pug leads a dull, uneventful life in the park, unaware of the fierce struggles beyond his world.
Level C1PoetryThe Piper and the ReedA fragile reed by the river becomes the key to a divine melody as the eternal Piper seeks the perfect harmony in a cosmic song.
Level C1PoetryThe Pilgrims of Hope and Chants for SocialistsAmid the awakening spring, a stirring wind carries the message of hope and uprising from the fields to the heart of London, where love and revolution intertwine.
Level C1PoetryThe Pied Piper of Hamelin, and Other Poems: Every Boy's LibraryIn a quaint town plagued by a rat infestation, a mysterious piper offers a magical solution with enchanting music that captivates all who hear it, setting the stage for a haunting…
Level C1PoetryThe Persian Literature, Comprising The Shah Nameh, The Rubaiyat, The Divan, and The Gulistan, Volume 2Explore a timeless garden of wisdom where poems and anecdotes reveal the customs of kings, the morals of dervishes, and reflections on love, youth, and contentment, all born from a…
Level C1PoetryThe Persian Literature, Comprising The Shah Nameh, The Rubaiyat, The Divan, and The Gulistan, Volume 1Step into the rich world of Persian poetry and legend, where tales of chivalry, romance, and ancient valor blend with a vibrant cultural history that bridges East and West.
Level C1PoetryThe Pearl: A Middle English Poem, A Modern Version in the Metre of the OriginalA grieving father mourns his lost daughter through a symbolic, lyrical journey steeped in medieval imagery and spiritual longing, blending profound emotion with intricate rhyme and…
Level C1RomanceThe Pearl Box: Containing One Hundred Beautiful Stories for Young PeopleDiscover heartfelt tales filled with moral lessons that guide young readers through kindness, faith, and the beauty of selflessness, as children navigate life's challenges with hop…
Level C1PoetryThe Peacock and Parrot, on their Tour to Discover the Author of "The Peacock At Home"Join the Peacock and Parrot on a whimsical journey to uncover the mysterious author behind the enchanting poem "The Peacock at Home," blending charming verse with delightful illust…
Level C1PoetryThe Peacock 'At Home:': A Sequel to the Butterfly's BallA vibrant gathering of birds unfolds with feather-ruffling and elegant dances, set against a backdrop of detailed natural history and charming illustrations.
Level C1PoetryThe Peacock 'At Home' AND The Butterfly's Ball AND The Fancy FairStep into a vibrant world where exquisite birds reveal their unique habits and dazzling colors, from the skillful tailor-bird to the majestic flamingo.
Level C1PoetryThe Pastime of Pleasure: An Allegorical PoemEmbark on an allegorical journey through life’s course, blending medieval poetry with lessons on virtue and knowledge of the seven sciences.
Level C1PoetryThe Passing of the Storm, and Other PoemsExplore the rugged spirit and refined intellect of pioneer prospectors whose bravery and industry carved the trails of the Western wilderness, revealing a tale of courage, culture,…
Level C1PoetryThe Panjandrum Picture BookJoin lively lads and lasses in playful dances, mischievous ravens, and whimsical tales filled with catchy rhymes and charming characters, celebrating festive fun and fanciful adven…
Level C1PoetryThe Pain and Sorrow of Evil MarriageExplore the humorous and biting verses on the woes of ill-fated marriage, as the narrator candidly recounts the trials of spousal discord and matrimonial regret in a 16th-century p…
Level C1PoetryThe Pacifist, and other poemsExplore a collection of poignant poems that delve into themes of peace, human struggle, and reflection, capturing voices both timeless and true to their era with unaltered dialect…
Level C1PoetryThe Oxford book of Portuguese verseExplore the rich tapestry of Portuguese poetry from the 12th to the 20th century, tracing its roots from troubadour influences to unique indigenous verses that reveal the nation’s…
Level C1PoetryThe Oxford Book of English Verse, 1250-1900Explore centuries of English verse, carefully curated and arranged to showcase the finest poems from the 13th to the 19th century, blending lyrical beauty and historical depth to i…
Level C1PoetryThe Oxford Book of BalladsDive into a rich collection of ballads that journey from magic and romance to history and legend, capturing the enduring allure and evolution of this timeless poetic form across ce…
Level C1PoetryThe Original Poems of Edward Edwin Foot, of Her Majesty's Customs, LondonA collection of heartfelt poems born from the author's humble life and deep ties to Her Majesty’s Customs, exploring themes from natural beauty to personal reflection.
Level C1PoetryThe Only True Mother Goose Melodies: Without Addition or AbridgementDelight in timeless nursery rhymes and melodies that have soothed generations of children, told through the enchanting voice of Mother Goose herself.
Level C1PoetryThe Only True Mother Goose MelodiesStep into a 19th-century Boston nursery where English nursery rhymes and London ditties lull children to sleep, preserving a rich heritage of melodies that bridge old customs and n…
Level C1PoetryThe Old English PhysiologusExplore the mythical creatures of land, sea, and sky through ancient poems that reveal their wondrous traits and spiritual lessons, from the majestic panther roaming distant caves…
Level C1PoetryThe Old Bush SongsVividly capturing the raw spirit of Australia’s early days, these rugged bush ballads echo the life of shearing sheds, gold diggings, and overland trails, preserving the untamed vo…
Level C1PoetryThe Odyssey: Rendered into English prose for the use of those who cannot read the originalEmbark on the perilous journey of Odysseus, trapped by gods and longing for home after the fall of Troy, as divine wrath and mortal folly intertwine in a vivid quest across ancient…
Level C1AdventureThe Odyssey of HomerEmbark on the epic journey of Odysseus as he navigates gods, heroes, and the ancient world’s dangers, revealing timeless tales of adventure and the relentless pursuit of home amids…
Level C1PoetryThe Odes of AnacreonImmerse yourself in a world where love, youth, and mirth intertwine beneath Greek skies, as delicate odes celebrate the pleasures of life with graceful poetry and vivid illustratio…
Level C1PoetryThe Odes and Carmen Saeculare of HoraceExplore the challenge of capturing Horace’s precise metrical grace and sententious wisdom in English, as the translator navigates the delicate balance between literal fidelity and…
Level C1PoetryThe Norse king's bridalVenture into a world of Viking valor and cursed swords as a forgotten daughter, raised in obscurity, embraces her fierce heritage and seeks a deadly weapon that promises doom and d…
Level C1PoetryThe Nightingale, the Valkyrie and Raven, and Other BalladsA knight discovers a nightingale trapped by a wicked spell, revealing a tale of transformation, love, and dark magic amid castle turrets and enchanted forests.
Level C1PoetryThe NibelungenliedAmidst the courts and castles of medieval Germany, knights and ladies navigate a world of loyalty, betrayal, and fierce battles.
Level C1PoetryThe NibelungenliedDive into a legendary saga of heroism, betrayal, and vengeance as Siegfried and the Burgundians navigate love, war, and fate in a richly woven tapestry of medieval adventure and ro…
Level C1PoetryThe Newcastle Song Book; or, Tyne-Side Songster: Being a Collection of Comic and Satirical Songs, Descriptive of Eccentric Characters, and the Manners and Customs of a Portion of the Labouring Population of Newcastle and the NeighbourhoodDive into a lively collection of comic and satirical songs capturing the eccentric characters, customs, and vibrant dialect of Newcastle's laboring population in the early 19th cen…
Level C1PoetryThe New-York Book of PoetryExplore the rich voices of New York through a vibrant collection of poems capturing local landscapes, history, and emotions, bringing together voices both familiar and newly discov…
Level C1PoetryThe New Poetry: An AnthologyDiscover a vibrant revival of poetry that breaks free from Victorian excess, embracing simplicity, sincerity, and the pulse of contemporary life.
Level C1PoetryThe New Penelope, and Other Stories and PoemsExplore the rugged, untamed Pacific Coast through intimate stories and poems revealing the raw humanity and unique challenges of pioneer life.
Level C1PoetryThe New Life (La Vita Nuova)Journey through a lyrical exploration of love and devotion as poetic reflections intertwine with personal narrative, revealing the profound impact of an idealized muse on the soul…
Level C1PoetryThe Naughty Man; or, Sir Thomas Brown: Love, Courtship and Marriage in High Life. A Poetical SatireDive into a sharp poetic satire unraveling the humorous and scandalous antics of Sir Thomas Brown as he navigates love, courtship, and marriage in the high society of his time.
Level C1PoetryThe Mythological ZooWhimsical verses bring mythological creatures to life, from Medusa’s tangled snakes to the mischievous Satyr and the elusive Sea Serpent, blending humor and fantasy in a playful ex…
Level C1PoetryThe Modern Scottish Minstrel, Volumes 1-6.: The Songs of Scotland of the Past Half CenturyDiscover a rich treasury of Scotland’s patriotic songs and poems from the past half-century, blending Highland Gaelic minstrelsy with Lowland melodies, complete with biographical s…
Level C1PoetryThe Modern Scottish Minstrel, Volume 6.: The Songs of Scotland of the Past Half CenturyExplore the rich heritage of Scotland through stirring songs and poetry that celebrate its landscapes, history, and enduring spirit from the past half-century.
Level C1PoetryThe Modern Scottish Minstrel, Volume 5.: The Songs of Scotland of the Past Half CenturyExplore the rich tapestry of Scotland’s past half-century through its heartfelt songs and ballads, capturing the spirit, struggles, and passions of its people in vibrant lyrics roo…