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 C1HistoricalThe house of the wizardAmid the grandeur and hospitality of Mohun’s Ottery, a Devon fortress home to the noble Carew family during Henry VIII’s reign, tensions rise with political intrigue and personal t…
Level C1ClassicsThe house of the deadEnduring a brutal sentence in a Siberian prison, a young man confronts the harsh realities of punishment and the complex spirit of the Russian people, revealing a profound search f…
Level C1ClassicsThe house of pride, and other tales of HawaiiIn the vibrant backdrop of Hawaii, a proud, fastidious man wrestles with his rigid ideals and uneasy place among lively army officers and civilians, revealing a clash between tradi…
Level C1HistoricalThe house of five gablesAn ancestral mansion with five gables hides a storied past of wealth, wild excess, and looming ruin as its current master faces the collapse of his fortune and the haunting legacy…
Level C1AdventureThe hounds of GodA young nobleman imprisoned amid deadly court intrigues must navigate betrayal and ambition while grappling with the tragic downfall of a close friend entangled with Queen Elizabet…
Level C1MysteryThe horror at Red HookA troubled detective retreats to a quiet village to recover from a traumatic case involving deadly slum raids, only to uncover dark, eldritch horrors lurking beneath the surface of…
Level C1MysteryThe hollow lensA skilled safecracker is drawn into a high-stakes heist when a mysterious woman claiming to be the daughter of a notorious criminal proposes a daring plan to break into a heavily g…
Level C1HistoricalThe history of the harlequinade, volume 2 (of 2)Dive into the mischievous world of ancient comedy where cunning slaves, secret crimes, and duped old men collide in a house haunted by a dark past and lively intrigues, blending la…
Level C1HistoricalThe history of the harlequinade, volume 1 (of 2)Trace the vibrant evolution of comic theatre from ancient Greece’s lively mimes and acrobats to Rome’s spirited Atellan comedies, revealing the origins of the iconic Harlequin char…
Level C1HistoricalThe history of a tame robinA young robin narrates his early life, revealing a world where birds cautiously observe their human benefactors and experience unexpected kindness.
Level C1Children'sThe history of Tabby, a favourite catA devoted mother cat named Tabby reflects on her playful youth and prepares to share the story of how she came to be cherished by her family, imparting wisdom and love to her curio…
Level C1RomanceThe history and adventures of the renowned Don QuixoteA deluded nobleman, inspired by chivalric tales, sets out on a quest with his loyal squire to revive knighthood and seek adventure, blurring the line between reality and imaginatio…
Level C1ClassicsThe hindered handIn the segregated South, a mysterious note passed between a white woman and a Black porter aboard a midnight train sparks a tense, forbidden connection.
Level C1ClassicsThe hermit's ChristmasOn a remote mountain cave, a solitary hermit welcomes a weary Crusader and a ragtag band of strangers on Christmas Day, sharing a humble feast that challenges notions of hospitalit…
Level C1Children'sThe hermit of the forestIn the wild forest of Englewood, a solitary hermit named Honestus, broken by loss and exile, discovers two abandoned infants and must protect and nurture them amidst the wilderness…
Level C1ClassicsThe heritage of unrestIn a merciless desert, a worn cavalryman faces death and sacrifice amid a desperate mission to track the elusive chief Cochise.
Level C1RomanceThe heiress of GreenhurstA fiery young gypsy woman from Granada navigates a harsh world, her wild beauty and untamed spirit set against the backdrop of the Alhambra’s ancient woods.
Level C1ClassicsThe haunts of menAmid the quiet farmland, a sudden flood of soldiers descends, transforming peaceful fields into a battleground on the brink of war.
Level C1FantasyThe haunter of the darkAn artist and writer obsessed with the occult moves into a historic Providence home, where mysterious legends surround a dark, windowless church steeple.
Level C1MysteryThe haunted houseIn the quiet English county of Sussex stands Rackham, a centuries-old squire’s house steeped in history and inhabited by the scholarly widower Henry Maple and his son.
Level C1Children'sThe happy villagers: Embellished with an engravingA retired tradesman discovers a peaceful valley where cottages thrive in harmony, and an elderly villager finds joy in family and simple rural life despite age and toil.
Level C1RomanceThe happiest time of their livesA young woman clings to the thrilling anticipation of a secret meeting with a man whose silence speaks volumes, as the delicate dance of budding romance unfolds within the elegant…
Level C1ClassicsThe guests of HerculesA novice bids farewell to the convent garden that has shaped her entire youth, wrestling with fear and nostalgia as she steps into an uncertain future.
Level C1ClassicsThe green overcoatA shy, absent-minded psychologist attends a bustling party only to discover his cherished green overcoat has vanished, setting him on a curious journey through social awkwardness a…
Level C1Science FictionThe great white way;: a record of an unusual voyage of discovery, and some romantic love affairs amid strange surroundingsA young dreamer with a seafaring legacy sets out on a daring expedition to the South Pole, convinced of a hidden, fertile land beyond the icy barrier.
Level C1HistoricalThe great masters of Russian literature in the nineteenth centuryDive into the vivid world of 19th-century Russian literature, where a rebellious young writer breaks free from imitation to craft haunting tales inspired by folklore and legend, ca…
Level C1HistoricalThe great inquiryIn a parliamentary inquiry marked by sharp wit and fierce debates, industrialists and farmers clash over Britain's economic future, exposing the tensions beneath political politene…
Level C1RomanceThe great amuletA secret wedding in a quiet Swiss town binds two souls on the brink of a journey to far-off India, where love faces the trials of distance, culture, and duty.
Level C1MysteryThe great Skene mysteryIn the fog-shrouded streets of Clapham, a faded former dancer known as Mother Carey schemes to ensnare a young man, setting the stage for a tangled mystery of greed, secrets, and d…
Level C1ClassicsThe great Galeoto; Folly or saintliness: two plays done from the verse of José Echegaray into English prose by Hannah LynchA mathematician-turned-dramatist explores timeless human conflicts through powerful Spanish plays that challenge audiences to confront life's pressing moral dilemmas with intensity…
Level C1ClassicsThe gray wolf's daughterA young, unorthodox doctor is summoned to the enigmatic Cranstoun Chase estate to diagnose a mysterious patient, stepping into a world of old family secrets, eerie legends, and hig…
Level C1ClassicsThe gospel of freedomAn artist defies critics with his daring portrayal of a woman immersed in water, capturing the essence of light and life in a Paris studio.
Level C1ClassicsThe golden windmill, and other storiesStep into a collection where timeless human emotions unfold in modern settings—from fried-fish shops to public houses—each story crafted with the precision of a master artisan, pro…
Level C1PoetryThe golden whales of California, and other rhymes in the American languageDive into a vivid celebration of California's landscapes and culture through spirited rhymes that capture the state's youthful energy, artistic promise, and the pioneering spirit o…
Level C1HistoricalThe golden verses of PythagorasExplore the timeless wisdom of ancient Pythagorean teachings through poetic translations that reveal profound insights into destiny, providence, and the human soul’s journey.
Level C1Children'sThe golden spears, and other fairy talesTwo children living near a mountain called the "Golden Spear" cherish their home and its wild birds, playing in meadows and climbing heather-clad slopes while awaiting the return o…
Level C1AdventureThe golden poolA lost match-box leads a young sea lover into a web of strange rumors, secret relics, and perilous adventures across Africa.
Level C1RomanceThe golden fleeceTwo men inherit contrasting fortunes: one a grand abbey, the other a coal pit.
Level C1ClassicsThe gold-stealersIn the struggling mining town of Waddy, a quirky, ramshackle schoolhouse becomes the heart of community life amid hardship and ingenuity.
Level C1ClassicsThe gold of OphirA young Chicago man, armed with education but little fortune, navigates love and social disparity when his wealthy beloved’s parents disapprove of their union due to his lack of we…
Level C1ClassicsThe girl in the crowdIn a bustling New York apartment, Daisy Reynolds toils as a telephone operator, blending into the crowd yet privy to the city's intimate secrets through overheard conversations.
Level C1ClassicsThe girl from nowhereIn a bleak London lodging-house, a young man of refined background confronts despair and defeat, severing himself from hope and the struggle of life.
Level C1MysteryThe girl from Scotland YardIn the shadowed elegance of Berkeley Square, Lady Raytham awaits unsettling news while navigating high society's secrets and unexpected visitors, including the formidable Princess…
Level C1ClassicsThe gift of friendshipAmidst life's selfish chill, heartfelt connections ignite warmth and inspiration, transforming strangers into cherished friends.
Level C1PoetryThe giant, and other nonsense verseDive into a whimsical world where giants roam, seas turn salty by curious tales, and day and night stir playful debates—all woven through delightfully nonsensical verse that sparks…
Level C1FantasyThe ghost of Charlotte Cray, and other storiesA newlywed publisher wrestles with the ghost of his past in the form of Charlotte Cray, a persistent authoress who refuses to let go—threatening to unravel his carefully constructe…
Level C1MysteryThe genuine tryal of Dr. Nosmoth, a physician in PekinIn imperial China, where physicians face strict exams and deadly consequences for failure, a renowned doctor is put on trial after treating a powerful Mandarin.
Level C1PoetryThe gardenerA devoted servant longs to become the gardener of his queen’s flower garden, offering tender care and quiet companionship.