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 C1ClassicsLetters from England, Volume 1 (of 3)A foreign traveler arrives in England, offering vivid, firsthand letters that reveal the daily life, customs, and landscapes of the English with keen observation and a candid, impa…
Level C1ClassicsLetters from AmericaEmbark on a vivid journey through early 20th-century America, Canada, and the South Seas, captured in intimate letters that reveal the landscapes, people, and poetic reflections of…
Level C1PhilosophyLetters and social aimsExplore the dynamic interplay between matter's unyielding laws and the mind's boundless currents, revealing a universe in constant transformation where science, philosophy, and ima…
Level C1ClassicsLetters Written During a Short Residence in Sweden, Norway, and DenmarkExplore a vivid journey through Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, where personal letters reveal intimate reflections on friendship, resilience, and the challenges of a woman forging her…
Level C1PoetryLetters Concerning Poetical Translations: And Virgil's and Milton's Arts of Verse, &c.Explore the art of poetical translation by comparing the swift, fiery style of Homer with the majestic, deliberate verse of Virgil, revealing how capturing an author's unique voice…
Level C1ClassicsLessons in the Shanghai DialectExplore the rich heritage of the Shanghai Dialect, a language spoken by millions and deeply rooted in ancient Chinese culture.
Level C1PhilosophyLesser HippiasExplore the intricate challenge of distinguishing authentic philosophical texts from forgeries in ancient literature, as the dialogue delves into criteria for assessing the genuine…
Level C1ClassicsLess than kinAmid the glittering social scenes and whispered judgments of the opera house, a young woman balances loyalty to her ailing uncle with the pressing demands of love and ambition, nav…
Level C1ClassicsLes liaisons dangereuses, volume 2 (of 2): or, Letters collected in a private society and published for the instruction of othersIn a world of secret passions and calculated deceptions, a tormented lover pleads for truth and connection while others grapple with betrayal and heartbreak.
Level C1ClassicsLes liaisons dangereuses, volume 1 (of 2): or, Letters collected in a private society and published for the instruction of othersIn a scandalous web of seduction and deceit, a collection of intimate letters reveals the manipulative games of a corrupt French aristocracy, exposing the dark passions and moral d…
Level C1HistoricalLes beaux messieurs de Bois-Doré Vol. 2 (of 2)In a grand château, a mischievous boy discovers the secret cosmetics his adoptive father uses to preserve his youthful appearance, sparking laughter and gentle reprimands amid the…
Level C1HistoricalLes beaux messieurs de Bois-Doré Vol. 1 (of 2)In a court rife with intrigue and ambition, the sharp-witted and devout Sciarra d'Alvimar navigates shifting alliances and forbidden passions under Queen Marie de Médicis’ shadow,…
Level C1HistoricalLes Misérables, v. 5/5: Jean ValjeanAmid the turmoil of the June 1848 insurrection, the desperate masses erect monstrous barricades in a city on the brink of collapse, as a man wrestles with his duty and compassion a…
Level C1HistoricalLes Misérables, v. 4/5: The Idyll and the EpicAmid the turbulent aftermath of the July Revolution, society grapples with the clash between worn-out royal authority and the unstoppable force of historical change.
Level C1HistoricalLes Misérables, v. 3/5: MariusIn the bustling streets of Paris, a spirited gamin—part street urchin, part impish philosopher—navigates a world of poverty, mischief, and fleeting joys, embodying innocence amidst…
Level C1HistoricalLes Misérables, v. 2/5: CosetteAmid the echoes of the Battle of Waterloo, a wayfarer uncovers the poignant history of Hougomont, a contested farmstead where valor and resistance shaped the fate of an empire.
Level C1HistoricalLes Misérables, v. 1/5: FantineIn post-Revolution France, a once worldly man becomes a compassionate bishop, embodying hope amid social upheaval and hardship.
Level C1ClassicsLes Bijoux Indiscrets, or, The Indiscreet ToysIn a vibrant African kingdom, the birth of Prince Mangogul stirs curiosity and superstition as a skeptical soothsayer grapples with predicting his fate.
Level C1ClassicsLeonore StubbsA daughter’s marriage to a wealthy man turns to ruin when his fortune disappears, leaving her destitute and her family torn between pride and despair.
Level C1RomanceLeonora D'Orco: A Historical RomanceIn a treacherous mountain pass of Renaissance Italy, where danger and beauty entwine, a dazzling party rides through shadows of bandits and betrayal.
Level C1ClassicsLeonoraA woman trapped by society's harsh constraints reveals her painful journey through love, marriage, and separation in candid letters that expose the tyranny of prejudice and the que…
Level C1ClassicsLeonoraIn the industrial heart of the Five Towns, Leonora, a proud and beautiful woman on the brink of forty, navigates the tensions of her marriage and the stark contrasts of her world,…
Level C1FantasyLeonie of the JungleA young girl named Leonie, haunted by mysterious black dreams and a strange presence, confides her fears to a kind specialist who seeks to unravel the secrets behind her eerie visi…
Level C1AdventureLeonard Lindsay ;A young sailor embarks on a daring sea voyage from the Scottish coast, carrying the legacy of his fisherman father and the haunting tales of the ocean’s mysteries.
Level C1ClassicsLeon Roch: A Romance, vol. 2 (of 2)In a noble household crumbling under disgrace and poverty, the Marquesa clings to faith and society’s rituals while secrets and scandals simmer beneath the surface.
Level C1ClassicsLeon Roch: A Romance, vol. 1 (of 2)A woman grapples with jealousy and childhood memories as she reads a heartfelt letter from Leon, unraveling a tale of youthful affection, misunderstandings, and sincere devotion th…
Level C1PhilosophyLeo TolstoyExplore the radical moral vision inspired by a great thinker, where simplicity and fierce ethical conviction challenge modern norms, sparking acts of profound and surprising faith…
Level C1AdventureLentala of the South Seas: The Romantic Tale of a Lost ColonyShipwrecked on a mysterious tropical shore, a desperate group of survivors faces hostile natives and the haunting pursuit of their dying vessel, the Hope.
Level C1RomanceLemorne Versus HuellThrown into the tangled world of Aunt Eliza Huell's health struggles and a bitter property lawsuit, a young woman navigates high society, family rivalries, and unexpected duties du…
Level C1HistoricalLeila or, the Siege of Granada, CompleteAmid the 1491 siege of Granada, the mysterious enchanter Almamen navigates a city caught between hope and despair, as Moorish warriors and Spanish forces collide under the shadow o…
Level C1HistoricalLeila or, the Siege of Granada, Book V.As the dawn breaks over Granada, Moorish warriors rally under their king Boabdil to defend their besieged city against the advancing Christian army.
Level C1RomanceLeila or, the Siege of Granada, Book IV.In a besieged castle near Granada, Leila faces a heart-wrenching conflict between loyalty and love as Moorish forces, led by a fierce and seemingly magical warrior, challenge the C…
Level C1RomanceLeila or, the Siege of Granada, Book III.In a kingdom torn by faith and forbidden love, a gentle Jewish maiden faces the harsh scrutiny of the Inquisition and the protective mercy of a compassionate queen, caught between…
Level C1HistoricalLeila or, the Siege of Granada, Book II.Amid the glittering tents of the Spanish king's camp, a tense siege unfolds as political intrigue and military strategy intertwine, threatening to topple Granada from within while…
Level C1RomanceLeila or, the Siege of Granada, Book I.Amidst the 1491 siege of Granada, a mysterious enchanter and noble Moorish prince navigate a city on the brink of conquest, where ancient magic and fierce loyalty intertwine in a d…
Level C1Children'sLeila at Home: a continuation of Leila in EnglandLeila returns to the warm, lively household near Richmond, where her cousin Selina has miraculously regained her speech.
Level C1HistoricalLeigh Hunt's Relations with Byron, Shelley and KeatsExplore the intertwined lives of Leigh Hunt, Byron, Shelley, and Keats amid the turbulent political and social upheavals of early 19th-century England, revealing how revolution, re…
Level C1ClassicsLegends: Autobiographical SketchesA disgraced author wrestles with poverty, isolation, and conflicting beliefs while navigating the clash between naturalism and occultism in a small Swedish university town.
Level C1PoetryLegends, Tales and PoemsStep into the enchanting world of old Spain, where poetic dreams and haunting legends weave together along the banks of the Guadalquivir.
Level C1HistoricalLegends of the conquest of SpainAmidst the tumult of invasions and shifting empires, Spain emerges as a land where history and legend intertwine, revealing a saga of conquest, valiant heroes, and the clash of cul…
Level C1HistoricalLegends of the Saxon SaintsDive into the stirring era when Anglo-Saxon kingdoms embraced Christianity, witnessing saintly rulers, grand cathedrals rising from ancient temples, and the birth of missions that…
Level C1PoetryLegends of the North: The Guidman O' Inglismill and The Fairy BrideImmerse yourself in the enchanting world of Scottish folklore where the mischievous yet benevolent fairies dwell, weaving tales of magic, temperance, and nostalgia in the rich Dori…
Level C1HistoricalLegends of the Middle Ages: Narrated with Special Reference to Literature and ArtDive into the vivid world of medieval legends, where epic tales of kings, warriors, and mythical creatures reveal the customs and beliefs of a bygone era through poetic and artisti…
Level C1AdventureLegends of the Black Watch; or, Forty-second HighlandersAmid the rugged Highlands, elite companies of the Black Watch—gentlemen-soldiers of noble descent—stand as fierce guardians against rebellion and invasion.
Level C1ClassicsLegends of VancouverAncient Indigenous legends come to life through the intimate stories shared by Chief Joe Capilano, revealing the rich cultural tapestry woven into Vancouver's landscapes and histor…
Level C1HistoricalLegends of LancashireStep into Lancashire’s turbulent past, where castles, battles, and witches once shaped the land.
Level C1HistoricalLegends of Florence: Collected from the People, First SeriesExplore the rich tapestry of Florence through its captivating local legends tied to famous landmarks, ancient towers, and secret byways, revealing a world of folklore, witchcraft,…
Level C1HistoricalLegends of CharlemagneEnter a world of chivalry and legend as noble knights and heroic deeds come alive, weaving tales of honor and adventure from the age of Charlemagne.