CEFR C1 · Advanced
Read Advanced Classics in English (C1)
14246 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.
- 14,246
- books
Level C1PoetryPopular British Ballads, Ancient and Modern, Vol. 2 (of 4)Step into a realm where ancient ballads weave tales of love, mystery, and enchantment—from True Thomas’s fateful journey to Elfland to the haunting lament of the Bonny Hind.
Level C1AdventurePopular Adventure TalesEmbark on a daring journey through the vast, untamed fur countries of North America, where wild landscapes stretch beyond civilization and survival depends on courage and resilienc…
Level C1RomancePoppea of the Post-OfficeIn a small New England village gripped by the Civil War’s uncertainty, the postmaster anxiously awaits delayed mail that carries news from the front, weaving together community hop…
Level C1HistoricalPope, His Descent and Family Connections: Facts and ConjecturesDelve into the contested origins of a celebrated poet, as noble critics challenge his birth and he fiercely defends his heritage, revealing the complexities of social status and fa…
Level C1HistoricalPoor White: A NovelIn a bleak Missouri river town where poverty and despair reign, young Hugh McVey struggles to rise above his harsh upbringing and find purpose, guided by a stern yet caring station…
Level C1ClassicsPoor RelationsIn a Parisian world of bitter envy and hidden malice, a cunning woman sets out to destroy her prosperous relatives, weaving a dark tale of deceit, rivalry, and the corrosive power…
Level C1RomancePoor Miss FinchIn a quiet English corner, a blind girl’s life intertwines with twin brothers, a skilled surgeon, and a mysterious foreign woman, revealing the complexities of human nature and the…
Level C1ClassicsPoor JackBorn into a naval family steeped in seafaring tradition and eccentric characters, a young man recounts his father’s adventures aboard the frigate Druid, navigating pride, seasickne…
Level C1ClassicsPoor FolkIn a humble tenement filled with a mix of strangers, a tender correspondence unfolds between two souls clinging to hope and love amid hardship, revealing the quiet struggles and he…
Level C1HistoricalPonteach; Or, The Savages of AmericaA soldier and frontiersman recounts his tumultuous experiences with Native American tribes during the French and Indian War, revealing alliances, betrayals, and the harsh realities…
Level C1ClassicsPonkapog PapersStep into a world of witty reflections and vivid sketches, where an author's keen observations paint a portrait of society, art, and human nature with humor and insight.
Level C1PoetryPomegranates from an English Garden: A selection from the poems of Robert BrowningDive into a rich selection of intense, thought-provoking poems that challenge the reader to uncover deep human emotions and ideas hidden beneath a rugged, unconventional style.
Level C1ClassicsPolyeucteAn Armenian noble wrestles between his Christian faith and the love of his wife amid a tense political and spiritual conflict.
Level C1RomancePolly: A Christmas RecollectionIn a Southern estate ruled by a cantankerous Colonel, young Polly wields unexpected power over family and servants alike, navigating loyalty and hardship amid the shadow of a drunk…
Level C1RomancePolly the Pagan: Her Lost Love LettersCaught between the rigid traditions of European society and the free spirit of America, a woman navigates love and identity amid cultural clashes and diplomatic intrigue.
Level C1ClassicsPolly of the CircusAmid the dazzling chaos of the Great American Circus, Polly, a young acrobat with a tender heart, watches a newcomer take on the perilous "Leap of Death" stunt, revealing the harsh…
Level C1Children'sPolly and the PrincessAt the June Holiday Home, young Polly Dudley visits her ailing friend Miss Sterling, whose mysterious illness and fading beauty stir whispers and hopes among the residents.
Level C1Children'sPolly Oliver's ProblemIn a quaint New England village, a spirited young girl navigates childhood adventures and challenges, drawing inspiration from the picturesque surroundings and her close-knit famil…
Level C1HistoricalPolitics: A Treatise on GovernmentExplore the foundation of society as a legislator crafts a community aimed at the good life, blending ethics with governance.
Level C1ClassicsPolite Conversation in Three DialoguesStep into the sharp wit and biting irony of early 18th-century society, where polished manners mask the lively, often coarse realities of polite conversation.
Level C1MysteryPolice!!!A man flees the New York police, his mind racing with thoughts on science, art, and society while pursued through the city.
Level C1ClassicsPole Baker: A NovelA planter returns to his mountain land, greeted by colorful locals including Pole Baker, a fearless former moonshiner with a fierce reputation and dangerous enemies.
Level C1Science FictionPolaris of the SnowsIn an isolated Arctic refuge, a young man named Polaris confronts the haunting death of his father and the chilling wilderness that surrounds him, as howling dogs and relentless wi…
Level C1Science FictionPolaris and the Goddess GlorianIn the frozen Antarctic wilderness, Polaris Janess embarks on a perilous journey to rescue a lost kingdom of ancient Greeks threatened by vanishing volcanic fires.
Level C1AdventurePoker Jim, Gentleman, and Other Tales and SketchesStep into the rugged world of California’s early mining days, where real characters like Poker Jim and old-time prospectors share tales of adventure, lost legends, and the relentle…
Level C1ClassicsPoison: A FarceA sharp-witted farce unfolds as characters navigate a tangled web of misunderstandings and comedic mishaps.
Level C1MysteryPoison shadowsIn the glittering world of high society, a desperate countess schemes to secure a wealthy marriage for her stubborn ward, entangling love, money, and deception along the Belgian co…
Level C1ClassicsPoints of frictionExplore the tension between history’s grand events and everyday life as this collection of essays reflects on human endurance, the significance of historic moments, and the fatigue…
Level C1ClassicsPoints of ViewExplore a thoughtful critique on the fading art of humor and the rise of solemn seriousness in literature, questioning whether laughter still has a place in a world increasingly do…
Level C1ClassicsPoints of Humour, Part 2 (of 2)Dive into a world of whimsical characters and eccentric humor, where a jealous hunchback lord courts a fair maiden amidst quirky minstrels and absurd antics—each scene vividly brou…
Level C1ClassicsPoints of Humour, Part 1 (of 2)Dive into a world where wit and vivid illustrations bring to life a gallery of humorous anecdotes and lively characters, from jolly beggars to spirited vagrants, all captured with…
Level C1HistoricalPoets of the South: A Series of Biographical and Critical Studies with Typical Poems, AnnotatedExplore the rich, often overlooked poetic heritage of the American South through vivid biographical and critical portraits of its leading poets.
Level C1PoetryPoetry: A Magazine of Verse, Volume 01: October-March, 1912-13Step into a world where ancient kings and their legacies are immortalized through the power of words and song, illuminating the timeless struggle to preserve glory and wisdom again…
Level C1HistoricalPoetry of the Anti-Jacobin: Comprising the Celebrated Political and Satirical Poems, of the Rt. Hons. G. Canning, John Hookham Frere, W. Pitt, the Marquis Wellesley, G. Ellis, W. Gifford, the Earl of Carlisle, and Others.Sharp political and satirical poems from the turbulent era of 1797-98 expose the fierce conflicts between Britain and revolutionary France, capturing the wit and turmoil of a natio…
Level C1PoetryPoetry for Poetry's Sake: An Inaugural Lecture Delivered on June 5, 1901Delve into a passionate exploration of poetry's intrinsic value, where the act of reading becomes a vivid journey through sounds, images, and emotions, revealing poetry as an exper…
Level C1PoetryPoetryExplore a diverse collection of poems that celebrate poetry’s power to inspire, teach, and elevate the soul through imagination, morality, and faith.
Level C1PoetryPoetical Works: Comprising Elegies, Sketches from Life, Pathetic, and Extempore PiecesA man’s reckless youth leads him into debt, despair, and the harsh realities of bankruptcy, exposing the merciless legal and personal consequences he must face.
Level C1PoetryPoetical Works of William Cullen BryantExplore the roots of a poetic soul shaped by stern Puritan heritage and New England rigor, tracing a frail child's journey through discipline, tradition, and the early influences t…
Level C1PoetryPoetical Works of Robert Bridges, Volume 5In a royal court where love and intrigue intertwine, servants and nobles navigate secrets, duels, and forbidden romances, revealing the chaos beneath gilded façades.
Level C1PoetryPoetical Works of Robert Bridges, Volume 3Step into the intrigue of ancient Rome as senators navigate political peril under Emperor Nero’s reign, balancing loyalty, ambition, and emerging conspiracies in a richly dramatic…
Level C1PoetryPoetical Works of Matthew ArnoldIn a world where ancient heroes and gods shape destiny, a hidden prince returns to reclaim his murdered father's throne, navigating betrayal and vengeance amid the shifting tides o…
Level C1PoetryPoetical Works of Edmund Waller and Sir John DenhamDive into the life of a poet caught between artistry and political intrigue, whose verses and schemes nearly led him to the gallows.
Level C1PoetryPoetical WorksExplore the turbulent life and sharp wit of a gifted poet whose satirical verse challenges the literary and political scenes of 18th-century England, revealing a complex blend of g…![Cover of Poetical Ingenuities and Eccentricities by William T. [Editor] Dobson](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da8c4csv7nos73d6qitg.webp)
Level C1PoetryPoetical Ingenuities and EccentricitiesDive into a whimsical collection where poetry meets parody, blending humor with clever homage to classic verse.
Level C1PoetryPoetic Sketches: A Collection of Miscellaneous PoetryExplore a diverse collection of poems that blend scholarly insight and heartfelt expression, offering thoughtful reflections and vivid imagery dedicated to a distinguished statesma…
Level C1PoetryPoems: With a Sketch of the Life and Experience of Annie R. SmithExplore heartfelt reflections on faith, love, and spiritual struggle through poetry that reveals the intimate battles of the soul and the hope found in divine grace and compassion.
Level C1PoetryPoems: With Introduction and NotesDelve into a vivid collection of poems exploring love, nature, inner life, and haunting narratives, where raw emotion and profound reflection emerge through unadorned, literal tran…
Level C1HistoricalPoems: Patriotic, Religious, MiscellaneousExplore heartfelt verses that intertwine devotion, Southern pride, and reflection, revealing a soul torn between faith and allegiance during a tumultuous era.