CEFR C2 · Proficient
Read Proficient Classics in English (C2)
112 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 The Book-Bills of Narcissus: An Account Rendered by Richard Le Gallienne, The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night — Volume 01 (of 10) and The Book of Three Hundred Anecdotes: Historical, Literary, and Humorous—A New Selection. 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 C2ClassicsThe Book-Bills of Narcissus: An Account Rendered by Richard Le GallienneDive into the curious world of Narcissus through the lens of his old book bills, where forgotten ledgers unveil the story of youth, friendship, and the quiet reveries found in a hu…
Level C2ClassicsThe Book of Three Hundred Anecdotes: Historical, Literary, and Humorous—A New SelectionDive into a vibrant collection of historical, literary, and humorous anecdotes featuring figures from kings and poets to soldiers and servants, revealing timeless tales of affectio…
Level C2ClassicsThe Awkward AgeIn the heart of London’s social scene, a young woman’s awkward transition from girlhood sparks tension and revelation among her family and society.
Level C2ClassicsThe Art or Crafte of RhetorykeDelve into the art of persuasive speech and instruction as a dedicated tutor crafts a guide to rhetoric for young scholars destined for law, diplomacy, or teaching in a flourishing…
Level C2ClassicsSwetnam, the Woman-hater, arraigned by women: A new comedie, acted at the Red Bull, by the late Queenes seruants.In a spirited Sicilian court, men and women debate who bears greater blame in love’s offenses, while a bitter misogynist faces challenge and comic justice from the very women he sc…
Level C2ClassicsStray leaves from strange literature; and, Fantastics and other fanciesDive into a mosaic of exotic legends, fables, and parables drawn from Indian, Buddhist, Polynesian, Moslem, and Talmudic traditions, each reconstructed with poetic license to revea…
Level C2ClassicsSpiritual Tales: Re-issue of the Shorter Stories of Fiona Macleod; Rearranged, with Additional TalesExiled and accused, a noble herdsman finds refuge on the mysterious Isle of Iona, where ancient legends and sacred oaths intertwine with the birth of a child destined for greatness…
Level C2ClassicsShort story classics (Foreign), Vol. 5, French IIA woman freshly released from prison, condemned for infanticide, wanders through a harsh November night seeking shelter and compassion in a cold world that shuns her.
Level C2ClassicsShelley: An EssayExplore the complex relationship between poetry and the Church as this essay argues for the restoration of poetry’s sacred role, urging faith to embrace beauty and inspiration rath…
Level C2ClassicsShakespeare's First FolioDive into the original texts of Shakespeare’s comedies, histories, and tragedies as preserved in the First Folio, complete with authentic spellings, printing quirks, and editorial…
Level C2ClassicsShakespeare Jest-Books: Reprints of the Early and Very Rare Jest-Books Supposed to Have Been Used by ShakespeareDive into a treasure trove of rare, early jest-books that inspired Shakespeare and reveal the wit and satire of 16th-century England, including lost tales, scandalous critiques, an…
Level C2ClassicsSelections from Early Middle English, 1130-1250. Part 2: NotesExplore the linguistic and literary treasures of Early Middle English through detailed notes on manuscripts, phonology, and texts like the Peterborough Chronicle and Ancrene Wisse,…
Level C2ClassicsSea and Shore: A Sequel to "Miriam's Memoirs"A poignant farewell unfolds as a woman leaves her ancestral home by the sea, haunted by memories and the weight of "nevermore.
Level C2ClassicsSatiro-Mastix; or, the Vntrussing of the Humorous PoetA fiery literary feud erupts between playwrights in the vibrant world of Elizabethan theater, exposing rivalries, sharp wit, and the battles behind the scenes of the Renaissance st…
Level C2ClassicsSalomé: A Tragedy in One ActIn a tense, forbidden drama set in ancient Judea, the captivating Salomé dances a deadly game with Herod and the prophet Jokanaan, where desire and power collide beneath the shadow…
Level C2ClassicsResurrectionA nobleman confronts his past when he recognizes a woman on trial for a crime he feels responsible for, leading him to question justice, morality, and redemption in a society rife…
Level C2ClassicsRecreations of Christopher North, Volume 2Wander through a vividly painted Scottish parish where nature’s beauty intertwines with poignant memories of youth and loss.
Level C2ClassicsRecollections of My Childhood and YouthA young boy navigates the wonders and confusions of childhood, from playful moments with adults to early lessons about the world’s complexities.
Level C2ClassicsRalph Waldo Emerson, philosopher and seerExplore the intimate reflections and profound insights of a close friend who reveals the spirit and genius behind one of America's greatest thinkers.
Level C2ClassicsPélléas and Mélisande; Alladine and Palomides; HomeIn a haunting exploration of theater’s power and limitations, poetic dramas reveal the elusive beauty that fades when life replaces imagination, challenging how we experience timel…
Level C2ClassicsPlays of Sophocles: Oedipus the King; Oedipus at Colonus; AntigoneA plague ravages Thebes, and King Oedipus must uncover the truth behind the city's suffering.
Level C2ClassicsPericles, Prince of TyreA daring prince confronts a deadly riddle posed by a king whose daughter’s beauty hides a sinister secret—solve it or face death.
Level C2ClassicsParodies of the works of English & American authors, vol. IIExplore a witty collection that mocks the grandiose and absurd in the works of Shakespeare, Milton, Tennyson, Poe, and more, revealing the playful side of literary giants through s…
Level C2ClassicsOthelloIn Venice, Iago seethes with jealousy as he plots to undermine Othello, the Moorish general who has unjustly promoted another over him; a tale of ambition, deceit, and the corrosiv…![Cover of O. Henry Memorial Award prize stories of 1927 by Society of Arts and Sciences [Editor]](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dafhudda8p2c739iukc0.webp)
Level C2ClassicsO. Henry Memorial Award prize stories of 1927Dive into a captivating collection of the year’s finest short stories, featuring unforgettable characters and vivid tales that explore human dreams, justice, and the spirit beyond…
Level C2ClassicsNotes of a Son and BrotherStruggling with the harsh demands of Swiss schooling and a crushing fear of mathematics, a young man navigates family expectations and his own literary passions amid the scenic bac…
Level C2ClassicsNarrative and Miscellaneous PapersExplore the fragile nature of human happiness and the relentless upheavals that can shatter families in an instant, as the relentless forces of life’s frailty and misfortune unfold…
Level C2ClassicsNarcissus, a Twelfe Night MerrimentSet in the lively academic world of Oxford in 1602, this Twelfth Night play blends classical mythology with festive merriment, revealing the spirited theatrical traditions of unive…
Level C2ClassicsMy Young Alcides: A Faded PhotographIn a faded photograph lies the memory of a young man whose life echoes the ancient labors of Hercules, entwined with family secrets, rebellion, and the struggle for inheritance ami…
Level C2ClassicsMuch Ado about NothingIn a lively Messina, noble families and witty visitors collide as news of war heroes and sharp banter set the stage for tangled romances and deceptions.![Cover of More toasts: Jokes, stories and quotations by Marion Dix [Editor] Mosher](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dagknnmicedc739b5tpg.webp)
Level C2ClassicsMore toasts: Jokes, stories and quotationsDive into a vast collection of witty toasts, jokes, stories, and quotations arranged by topic, perfect for sparking laughter or inspiration at any gathering or speech.
Level C2ClassicsMeasure for MeasureA Duke entrusts strict Angelo with his authority to govern Vienna, challenging mercy against justice in a city teetering on the edge of corruption and control.
Level C2ClassicsMark Twain's Letters — Complete (1853-1910)Explore the life and times of a legendary writer through decades of candid, insightful letters revealing his travels, literary pursuits, personal trials, and friendships from his e…
Level C2ClassicsMarcel Proust, an English TributeExplore a rich collection of reflections and critiques from English writers on Marcel Proust’s life and work, unveiling the unique charm and complexity of a literary figure whose i…
Level C2ClassicsMacbethAmid thunder and prophecy, three witches set the stage for a Scottish general whose valor in battle earns him a dark new title—igniting a tale of ambition, fate, and the deadly cos…
Level C2ClassicsLove's Labour's LostFour noblemen swear to forsake love and live in scholarly seclusion for three years, but their resolve is tested by the very passions they vow to deny in a court set to become a ha…
Level C2ClassicsLocrine: A TragedyIn a kingdom shadowed by loss and divided loyalties, a queen grapples with sorrow and silence while her son confronts the harsh truths of legacy and love.
Level C2ClassicsLocrineAs Brutus faces his final moments, he recounts a heroic journey from exile to triumph, leading loyal lords through battles and alliances that shape their destiny in a land fraught…
Level C2ClassicsLittle Rivers: A Book of Essays in Profitable IdlenessEscape the weariness of city life to wander by gentle rivers, where nature’s music and quiet streams invite reflection, friendship, and simple joys.
Level C2ClassicsLife of Johnson, Volume 1: 1709-1765Follow the remarkable journey of Samuel Johnson from his early studies to his rise as a towering literary figure, revealing his correspondence, conversations, and unpublished works…
Level C2ClassicsLibrary of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern — Volume 06Explore a rich collection of literary gems and historical insights, featuring voices from renowned poets, historians, and philosophers across centuries, illuminating the tapestry o…
Level C2ClassicsLibrary of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern — Volume 04Dive into a vast anthology showcasing timeless works across history and genres, including poetry, essays, and speeches by renowned figures.
Level C2ClassicsLibrary of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern — Volume 03Dive into a vast treasury of timeless wisdom and storytelling, featuring reflections, fables, poems, and essays from legendary authors and thinkers across history.
Level C2ClassicsLibrary of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern — Volume 02Explore timeless wisdom and epic tales spanning cultures and centuries, from ancient Greek philosophy to Arabian Nights, through insightful essays and legendary stories that illumi…
Level C2ClassicsLetters to Severall Persons of HonourExplore a collection of eloquent, heartfelt letters addressed to noble recipients, blending spiritual reflection and personal devotion amid the backdrop of 17th-century London’s st…
Level C2ClassicsKing LearA aging king decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters, sparking a tense battle for power and loyalty that will unravel family bonds and ignite a tragic struggle for…
Level C2ClassicsIphigenia in TaurisIn a sacred grove before Diana's temple, Iphigenia serves as a priestess far from home, while Orestes and his loyal friend Pylades arrive, setting the stage for a dramatic reunion…
Level C2ClassicsI, Mary MacLane: A Diary of Human DaysA fiercely introspective diary delves into the restless mind of a woman confronting her complex, contradictory self amid solitude and societal estrangement.