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.
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Level C1RomancePetticoat RuleIn the glittering court of Louis XV, a young woman’s fierce loyalty to her homeland clashes with the seductive power of the Marquise de Pompadour and the intrigues of royal favor,…
Level C1HistoricalPetrarch, the First Modern Scholar and Man of Letters: A Selection from His Correspondence with Boccaccio and Other Friends, Designed to Illustrate the Beginnings of the RenaissanceDive into the intimate letters and confessions of a pioneering Renaissance thinker whose friendships and self-reflections illuminate the dawn of modern culture and the fading shado…
Level C1ClassicsPeter: A Novel of Which He is Not the HeroIn a timeworn bank where tradition reigns supreme, Peter meticulously guards the ledgers and enforces the relentless punctuality of the old moon-faced clock.
Level C1RomancePeter's MotherIn a secluded English estate, Lady Mary Crewys navigates the delicate balance of duty and desire within her confined world, where personal wishes are often eclipsed by family and s…
Level C1AdventurePeter the WhalerA young Irish vicar’s son faces stern warnings against poaching, risking disgrace and harsh punishment as he defies his father’s pleas.
Level C1ClassicsPeter and Jane; Or, The Missing HeirAmidst family feuds and secrets, Mrs.
Level C1HistoricalPeter and Alexis: The Romance of Peter the GreatIn early 18th-century Russia, Tsarevitch Alexis Petrovitch faces the harsh realities of court life and deep religious turmoil, as old beliefs clash with a nation on the brink of We…
Level C1AdventurePeter Simple; and, The Three Cutters, Vol. 1-2A young naval officer embarks on thrilling maritime adventures filled with danger, duty, and discovery, navigating the unpredictable seas and the challenges of life aboard ship in…
Level C1AdventurePeter SimpleA young, awkward boy is destined for a naval career, sent away from his family to live under the strict care of a harsh sea-stock broker.
Level C1FantasyPeter SchlemihlA man loses his shadow in a mysterious pact, thrusting him into a surreal struggle between identity and isolation.
Level C1MysteryPeter Ruff and the Double FourA seemingly ordinary supper party at Daisy Villa conceals the beginnings of a gripping tale where appearances deceive and hidden identities spark a mystery that will change lives f…
Level C1HistoricalPeter Parley's Own Story: From the Personal Narrative of the Late Samuel G. Goodrich, ("Peter Parley")Follow the vivid personal narrative of a man who journeys from his early days in Ridgefield through war, literary pursuits, and diplomatic service, offering intimate glimpses of 19…
Level C1ClassicsPeter Paragon: A Tale of YouthA young boy is born into a household where his parents’ contrasting beliefs and temperaments quietly shape his future.
Level C1RomancePeter Jameson: A Modern RomanceAmid London's bustling cigar trade before World War I, Peter Jameson navigates family legacy, business rivalries, and the transformative upheaval of war that challenges his soul an…
Level C1FantasyPeter IbbetsonA man imprisoned for murder recounts his haunting life story from a criminal asylum, revealing mysterious connections to a noblewoman and the tragic events that led to his madness…
Level C1ClassicsPeterIn a sultry London flat, two young souls find themselves detached from the dull political chatter of their elders, caught between a world reshaped by war and the unbridgeable gap o…
Level C1RomancePersuasionIn a world where vanity and social standing reign, Anne Elliot navigates family expectations and lost love as her once-beautiful youth fades.
Level C1ClassicsPersonal reminiscences of Henry IrvingAn intimate friend recalls the remarkable life of Henry Irving, revealing the struggles, triumphs, and inner nature of a celebrated actor through personal anecdotes and reflections…
Level C1HistoricalPersonal Sketches and Tributes: Part 2 from Volume VI of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierExplore stirring personal sketches and heartfelt tributes to notable figures like Charles T.
Level C1ClassicsPersonal Reminiscences in Book Making, and Some Short StoriesJourney into the untamed North American wilderness as a young clerk for the Hudson’s Bay Company, where fur trading, solitude, and rugged adventure unexpectedly shape a future lite…
Level C1ClassicsPersonal Recollections: Abridged, Chiefly in Parts Pertaining to Political and Other Controversies Prevalent at the Time in Great BritainExplore a life shaped by faith, politics, and personal trials through a series of candid letters revealing childhood memories, youthful struggles, and spiritual awakenings amidst 1…
Level C1HistoricalPersonal Recollections of Joan of Arc — Volume 1A young peasant girl rises from humble beginnings to command the French army, inspiring courage and honor in a brutal, corrupt age.
Level C1PoetryPersonal Poems, Complete: Volume IV of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierExplore heartfelt reflections and solemn tributes woven into poems that mourn loss, celebrate friendship, and honor enduring human kindness, capturing the intimate emotions and ste…
Level C1PoetryPersonal Poems II: Part 2 from Volume IV of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierEmbodying sacrifice and heroism, these poems honor individuals who face injustice and fight for freedom, weaving personal courage into a broader struggle for humanity and truth.
Level C1PoetryPersonal Poems I: Part 1 from Volume IV of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierExplore a collection of deeply personal poems weaving themes of friendship, loss, hope, and remembrance, capturing heartfelt tributes and reflections on human kindness and sorrow.
Level C1HistoricalPersian Literature, Ancient and ModernExplore the rich tapestry of Persian literature, tracing its origins from ancient civilizations through seven poetic eras marked by legendary poets known as “The Persian Pleiades.
Level C1AdventurePerseverance Island; Or, The Robinson Crusoe of the Nineteenth CenturyStranded naked on a remote South Pacific island, a lone castaway uses ingenuity and skill to survive and thrive beyond all predecessors.
Level C1HistoricalPerpetua. A Tale of Nimes in A.D. 213In ancient Nemausus, a sacred fountain sustains the city’s life, but every seven years, a young girl is chosen by fate as a sacrificial offering to the god Nemausus.
Level C1MysteryPerlycross: A Tale of the Western HillsIn the tranquil village of Perlycross, a devoted curate and a battle-hardened squire navigate the delicate balance of duty, faith, and friendship in a changing world.
Level C1ClassicsPerkins, the Fakeer: A Travesty on Reincarnation: His wonderful workings in the cases of "When Reginald was Caroline", "How Chopin came to Remsen", and "Clarissa's troublesome baby"When Reginald and Caroline wake to find their minds swapped into each other's bodies, they must navigate the strange and humorous challenges of an uncanny and inexplicable psychica…
Level C1ClassicsPerkins of Portland: Perkins The GreatMeet Perkins, a peculiar ad man with a knack for catchy slogans and a bold plan to sell a plaster that doesn’t even exist—using the power of advertising to create demand before the…
Level C1AdventurePerils in the Transvaal and ZululandA young assistant master, determined to find his missing mother and sister, embarks on a daring journey from England to the distant colonies of Australia.
Level C1RomancePeregrine's ProgressA young man’s quest begins amid lively inns, shadowy mysteries, and encounters with a captivating, elusive woman named Diana—part dryad, part goddess—whose fiery spirit and tender…
Level C1ClassicsPercy: A TragedyIn a series of intense scenes set at Raby Castle, conflicting loyalties and violent confrontations unfold amid a backdrop of honor and tragedy.
Level C1PhilosophyPercy Bysshe Shelley as a Philosopher and ReformerExplore the life of a visionary thinker persecuted for challenging dogma, whose fragile yet fiery spirit fuels profound philosophy and reform.
Level C1ClassicsPercy Bysshe ShelleyExplore the tragic brilliance of a poet whose life was cut short just before his genius could fully mature, tracing his lineage, youth, and the promise of a literary legacy forever…
Level C1Children'sPercival's picture galleryConfined by illness, young artist Percival finds solace in painting and vivid tales of foreign art, longing to escape his lonely room through imagination and friendship.
Level C1AdventurePercival KeeneAmidst grand estates and whispered scandals, a young valet with charm but little wit serves a captain whose frequent visits stir hearts and rumors alike.
Level C1ClassicsPerch of the DevilIn the shadow of Montana’s shining mountains, a brilliant young rancher grapples with love, ambition, and the weight of heritage.
Level C1ClassicsPeradventure; or, The Silence of GodIn a world where faith and doubt intertwine, a man grapples with the silence of God and the human struggle to understand the divine.
Level C1PhilosophyPer Amica Silentia LunaeA reflective journey through the artist’s mind, exploring the contrast between outward conversations and inner truths, where dreams and art reveal the self beyond social masks and…
Level C1PoetryPepper & Salt; or, Seasoning for Young FolkA whimsical jester invites young readers to find joy and laughter amid life’s hardships through playful stories and moral poems, blending humor with gentle wisdom to season everyda…
Level C1ClassicsPepita XimenezIn a Spain torn by revolution and clashing ideals, a delicate story unfolds through subtle emotion and keen human insight, capturing the charm and complexity of passions amid socie…
Level C1ClassicsPeople of the Whirlpool: From The Experience Book of a Commuter's WifeAmid the quiet rhythms of a small town, a woman’s journal unfolds tales of family, nature, and the mischievous adventures sparked by two determined children and their inventive, do…
Level C1ClassicsPeople of PositionA battle with South American rebels leaves an Englishman dead and his friend Grierson facing a shattered past and uncertain future.
Level C1ClassicsPeople You KnowWryly observing the colorful characters and everyday follies of small-town life, this collection captures the humor and humanity found just around the corner, told in lively colloq…
Level C1ClassicsPeople Like That: A NovelA young woman embraces independence by moving into a neglected yet charming neighborhood, discovering freedom and self-discovery beyond societal expectations and old friendships.
Level C1HistoricalPenshurst Castle in the Time of Sir Philip SidneyIn the turbulent Elizabethan era, Mary Gifford faces family strife and harsh judgment while her spirited sister Lucy longs for freedom beyond their rural life.