CEFR C2 · Proficient
Read Proficient Classics in English (C2)
237 books graded at CEFR C2 (proficient) — 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 C2 books to read in English?
The best C2 books to read in English are well-known classics whose own language sits at that level — start with Eureka: A Prose Poem, Euphorion - Vol. I: Being Studies of the Antique and the Mediaeval in the Renaissance and Essays — First Series. Each is the complete book, labelled CEFR C2 (proficient), 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 C2PhilosophyEureka: A Prose PoemEmbark on a profound exploration of the universe's essence, origin, and destiny, blending physical, metaphysical, and mathematical insights into a sweeping vision that challenges c…
Level C2HistoricalEuphorion - Vol. I: Being Studies of the Antique and the Mediaeval in the RenaissanceDelve into a profound exploration of the Renaissance as the mystical child of ancient Antiquity and medieval longing, embodied by Faust and Helena.
Level C2PhilosophyEssays — First SeriesExplore the boundless human spirit as it connects individual experience with the vast tapestry of history, revealing how every thought, law, and revolution reflects the universal m…
Level C2HistoricalEssaysExplore subtle portraits of literary and historical figures marked by elusive charm and unfulfilled promise, as critical essays delve into the delicate interplay of personality, cr…
Level C2ClassicsErechtheusIn a world where gods and mortals intertwine, Erechtheus faces divine challenges that test fate, loyalty, and sacrifice.
Level C2PoetryEnoch Arden, &c.In a coastal village, childhood friends Enoch, Philip, and Annie grow into love and rivalry amid the sea’s ever-changing tides.
Level C2HistoricalEnglish fragments from Latin medieval service-booksDiscover fragments of medieval English woven into Latin service-books, revealing prayers and ceremonies from baptisms, marriages, and visitations of the sick, exposing the intimate…
Level C2PoetryEnglish and Scottish Ballads, Volume IDive into a rich collection of English and Scottish ballads, weaving tales of fairies, tragic love, heroes, outlaws, and historic events, each preserved in authentic versions that…
Level C2PoetryEnglish Songs and BalladsDiscover a rich collection of beloved English songs and ballads that capture the spirit and tastes of the people, from tender love poems to stirring tales of history and nature’s b…
Level C2PoetryEnglish Poems, Volume 02 (of 2)Explore a collection of evocative poems capturing moments of love, life, and introspection, set against the backdrop of early 20th-century Lisbon.
Level C2PoetryEnglish Poems, Volume 01 (of 2)Dive into a lyrical journey through two distinct poetic sequences, exploring themes of memory, identity, and the passage of time with evocative language and introspective depth.
Level C2PoetryEnglish PoemsIn a world where love is bound by duty and desire ignites in secret, a young couple risks everything for a forbidden passion that defies age, honor, and fate.
Level C2RomanceEndymion: A Poetic RomanceA young dreamer embarks on a poetic journey through lush forests and sacred altars, seeking beauty and meaning amid nature’s timeless splendor.
Level C2PoetryEnamels and Cameos and other PoemsImmerse yourself in a world where beauty and art merge in vivid, poetic visions—from marble goddesses to delicate roses and timeless love—each poem a shimmering jewel capturing pas…
Level C2PoetryEmblems of LoveAmid a starry night and looming wolf attacks, two warriors face a fierce struggle between man and beast, while love’s profound mysteries echo through poetic hymns and ancient disco…
Level C2PoetryEmbers, Volume 2.Dive into a rich tapestry of love, loss, and longing woven through lyrical poems that journey from playful springtime hunts to haunting reflections on life, death, and the eternal…
Level C2PoetryElias: An Epic of the AgesJourney through ages of divine inspiration and human endeavor as a visionary spirit, Elias, guides the epic tale of progress, prophecy, and the eternal quest for truth and restorat…
Level C2PoetryElfin land: and other poemsStep into a realm where myth and memory entwine through evocative verse, exploring enchanted landscapes, timeless heroes, and profound reflections on love, loss, and destiny.
Level C2HistoricalElene; Judith; Athelstan, or the Fight at Brunanburh; Byrhtnoth, or the Fight at Maldon; and the Dream of the Rood: Anglo-Saxon PoemsDive into heroic tales of faith, battle, and vision where empresses seek the true cross, warriors clash in fierce historic fights, and a mystical cross reveals the story of redempt…
Level C2PoetryEire, and other poemsImmerse yourself in vivid verses that evoke Ireland’s mystique, blending ancient legends, heartfelt longing, and lyrical beauty through a rich tapestry of poems and sonnets.
Level C2PoetryEighteen Hundred and ElevenAmid the thunder of war and the storm of nations, Britain faces the harsh toll of conflict, from shattered freedoms to the fading bloom of youth and beauty.
Level C2Children'sEight illustrations to Shakespeare's TempestDive into a magical world where sorcery, spirits, and star-crossed love unfold on a mysterious island, brought to life through eight enchanting illustrations capturing key moments…
Level C2HistoricalEdward the SecondIn a kingdom torn by rivalry and loyalty, the favored Gaveston returns from exile to reignite fierce tensions between King Edward II and his defiant nobles.
Level C2PoetryEast and West: PoemsIn a fog-shrouded seaport, thirteen children drift away on a ghostly hulk, sparking eerie legends and haunting memories.
Level C2PoetryEarly English Alliterative Poems: in the West-Midland Dialect of the Fourteenth CenturyDive into the rich world of 14th-century English poetry with alliterative verses drawn from a unique manuscript, revealing medieval tales and dialects that illuminate the knightly…
Level C2PoetryDriftingA soul drifts peacefully over Vesuvian Bay, sailing among purple peaks and crystal inlets, embraced by the tranquil harmony of sea, sky, and distant mountains where dreams and natu…
Level C2PoetryDreams and DustEvoking dreams, faith, and the vivid pulse of life, these poems journey through hope, love, and the eternal search for meaning amid the fleeting beauty and struggles of existence.
Level C2PoetryDreams and Days: PoemsA stirring collection of poems captures the vibrant pulse of youth, nature, and the struggles of life, weaving hope and truth through vivid imagery and heartfelt reflections.
Level C2PoetryDream tapestriesExplore vivid imagery and delicate emotions woven through a collection of poems that range from nature’s quiet beauty to intimate moments of memory and reflection.
Level C2PoetryDon JuanA biting poetic critique unfolds as a disillusioned narrator challenges the lofty claims of contemporary poets and political figures, setting the stage for a satirical journey thro…
Level C2PoetryDivine Comedy, Longfellow's Translation, PurgatoryJourney through a mystical realm where souls cleanse their sins to ascend toward paradise, guided by celestial beings and illuminated by divine light.
Level C2PoetryDivine Comedy, Longfellow's Translation, ParadiseJourney through the celestial spheres where divine light and order shape the universe, as a soul guided by Beatrice seeks to comprehend the eternal harmony and profound mysteries o…
Level C2PoetryDivine Comedy, Longfellow's Translation, HellLost in a dark forest and pursued by terrifying beasts, a man meets the ancient poet Virgil who offers to guide him through a harrowing journey into the underworld, revealing the t…
Level C2PoetryDivine Comedy, Longfellow's Translation, CompleteLost in a dark forest and blocked by fearsome beasts, a troubled soul embarks on a harrowing journey guided by a revered poet through the eternal realms of the afterlife, where des…
Level C2PoetryDivine Comedy, Cary's Translation, PurgatoryJourney through the second realm where souls purge their sins and prepare for Heaven’s ascent, guided by celestial beings and ancient wisdom.
Level C2PoetryDivine Comedy, Cary's Translation, ParadiseJourney through the celestial spheres guided by Beatrice, as the soul ascends beyond mortal sight to witness divine order and eternal light.
Level C2PoetryDivine Comedy, Cary's Translation, HellLost in a dark, forbidding forest, a weary traveler encounters three terrifying beasts blocking his path and meets the ancient poet Virgil, who offers to guide him through a harrow…
Level C2PoetryDivine Comedy, Cary's Translation, CompleteLost in a dark forest, the narrator confronts terrifying beasts blocking his path and encounters the ancient poet Virgil, who offers to guide him through a harrowing journey across…
Level C2PoetryDivine Adventures: A Book of VerseEmbark on a lyrical journey through love, nature, and myth, where poetic musings bring to life timeless tales and heartfelt reflections.
Level C2ClassicsDionysius of Halicarnassus On Literary Composition: Being the Greek Text of the De Compositione VerborumExplore the art of literary composition through the eyes of a master critic who reveals the harmony of word order, sound, and style in Greek poetry and prose, illuminating the endu…
Level C2HistoricalDiego Collado's Grammar of the Japanese LanguageExplore the early 17th-century Japanese language through a detailed Latin grammar that applies classical Latin frameworks to a non-Indo-European tongue, offering unique insights in…
Level C2ClassicsDiccionario Ingles-Español-Tagalog: Con partes de la oracion y pronunciacion figuradaExplore a comprehensive trilingual dictionary bridging English, Spanish, and Tagalog, complete with parts of speech and phonetic guidance to deepen your linguistic understanding an…
Level C2HistoricalDepartmental ditties and Ballads and Barrack-room balladsExplore the ironies and intrigues of colonial life through sharp, satirical verse that reveals the timeless struggles of ambition, favoritism, and bureaucracy within the British Em…
Level C2PoetryDemocritus PlatonissansDive into a profound poetic exploration where faith and reason intertwine, as the soul's immortality and the divine nature of existence are passionately debated and celebrated thro…
Level C2PoetryDays and Dreams: PoemsImmerse yourself in a lyrical journey of longing, conversation, and song, where voices intertwine in a poetic dance of dreams and reflections across time and mood.
Level C2PoetryDark of the MoonExplore a luminous collection of poems that capture the shifting moods of nature, seasons, and the human heart, from starlit nights to autumnal reflections and midsummer dreams.
Level C2RomanceCymbelineIn a kingdom shadowed by sorrow and banishment, a princess defies royal expectations by marrying a humble gentleman, igniting tensions that stir hearts and courts alike.
Level C2HistoricalCursory Observations on the Poems Attributed to Thomas Rowley (1782)Dive into the heated 18th-century debate over the authenticity of poems attributed to a mysterious 15th-century priest, as expert analysis unpacks linguistic and historical clues t…