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 C2ClassicsHousehold Gods: A ComedyA Roman nobleman's love fades into mystery as his wife retreats into the wild woods, where ancient gods and forbidden desires stir beneath the moonlight.
Level C2ClassicsHermione and Her Little Group of Serious ThinkersStep into a quirky salon where a vibrant cast of artists, mystics, and thinkers gather to debate art, society, and the soul, while Hermione seeks sincerity and meaning by transform…
Level C2ClassicsHamletOn a cold, restless night, sentinels encounter a ghostly apparition resembling the deceased king, stirring fear and curiosity.
Level C2ClassicsGurre Kamilaroi,: or, Kamilaroi Sayings (1856)Explore the rich Kamilaroi language and wisdom through sacred sayings and teachings, revealing the spiritual and cultural heritage of an ancient people as conveyed by a devoted mis…
Level C2ClassicsFour Plays of Gil VicenteStep into the vibrant world of 16th-century Portugal, where Gil Vicente's plays blend lyrical beauty, sharp satire, and rich cultural insight to explore themes of religion, patriot…
Level C2ClassicsFilm Truth; November, 1920A scathing critique emerges from the shadows of early cinema, exposing the tension between art and exploitation through the lens of seduction, censorship, and the battle over a rev…
Level C2ClassicsFaust: A TragedyA scholar, disillusioned with life’s limits, makes a daring pact to transcend human experience and knowledge.
Level C2ClassicsErechtheusIn a world where gods and mortals intertwine, Erechtheus faces divine challenges that test fate, loyalty, and sacrifice.
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 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 C2ClassicsCoriolanusAmidst a city on the brink of rebellion, citizens plot against the proud warrior Caius Martius, whose fierce loyalty and fiery temper ignite conflict between the ruling elite and t…
Level C2ClassicsConfession; Or, The Blind Heart. A Domestic StoryA lonely orphan struggles against neglect and distrust in a harsh world, where youthful passions and folly lead to soul-deep penalties.
Level C2ClassicsChaucer's Works, Volume 5 — Notes to the Canterbury TalesDelve into detailed scholarly notes that unravel the complex manuscript history and authorship debates surrounding the Canterbury Tales, offering critical insights into Chaucer's g…
Level C2ClassicsBook of illustrations : Ancient TragedyIn the shadow of Troy's fall, a watchman anxiously awaits the signal of victory, while dark secrets and ancient curses loom over the House of Atreus.
Level C2ClassicsBiographia Epistolaris, Volume 2: being The Biographical Supplement of Coleridge's Biographia LiterariaJourney alongside a restless poet as he sails from England to Malta, serving as a government secretary while reflecting on friendship, health, and the vivid landscapes of Gibraltar…
Level C2ClassicsBeaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 06 of 10In a richly woven tragicomedy set in Corinth, noble characters navigate disguise, wit, and courtly intrigue, where loyalty and deception intertwine amid political and romantic tens…
Level C2ClassicsBeaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 04 of 10Step into the intrigues of imperial Rome with senators, soldiers, and emperors clashing in a gripping tragedy, then shift to the lively comedy of Monsieur Thomas, where love, wit,…
Level C2ClassicsBeaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 02 of 10: the Humourous LieutenantAmidst courtly intrigue and sharp wit, a spirited young woman navigates the pomp and power of royal audiences and embassies, challenging the rigid hierarchy and revealing the fiery…
Level C2ClassicsAylwinCaught in a perilous ebbing tide, a man clings to life and memories of love as his loyal dog races to seek help.
Level C2ClassicsAs You Like ItA young gentleman, neglected and undervalued by his older brother, struggles against the constraints imposed on him and contemplates how to reclaim his dignity and rightful place.
Level C2ClassicsArden of FevershamIn a quiet Kent town, a gentleman’s life unravels as his disloyal wife conspires with dangerous men to plot his murder.
Level C2ClassicsApocolocyntosisIn a sharp satirical journey through the afterlife, the ghost of Emperor Claudius faces judgment and cosmic comedy, revealing the absurdities of power and fate with biting wit and…![Cover of Anthologica Rarissima: The Way of a Virgin: Being excerpts from rare, curious and diverting books by L. C. [Compiler] Brovan](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daf5n8oe1ofc73dhbjs0.webp)
Level C2ClassicsAnthologica Rarissima: The Way of a Virgin: Being excerpts from rare, curious and diverting booksExplore a unique anthology unveiling rare, curious excerpts on virginity from global folklore, literature, and erotic traditions—translated and annotated for the student, collector…
Level C2ClassicsAnimaduersions uppon the annotacions and corrections of some imperfections of impressiones of Chaucer's workesDelve into a 16th-century critique revealing the intricacies of editing Chaucer’s works, intertwined with the storied lineage and literary influence of the Thynne family, guardians…
Level C2ClassicsAnima PoetæDive into the intimate pocket-books of a restless mind, where poetry, philosophy, and personal reflection intertwine in a tapestry of unfiltered thoughts and spiritual yearnings.
Level C2ClassicsAnecdotes of the Learned Pig: With Notes, Critical and Explanatory, and Illustrations from Bozzy, Piozzi &c. &c.A remarkable pig, born amid political turmoil and steeped in controversy, navigates a world of factional conflicts and royal favors.
Level C2ClassicsAn Essay on CriticismDive into a sharp exploration of literary judgment and taste, where examples of sublime and flawed writing reveal the art of "right thinking" and ignite a spirited debate on Englis…
Level C2ClassicsAmong My Books. Second SeriesExplore the rich history and timeless artistry of Florence, where Dante’s legacy and the city’s majestic monuments intertwine with the lives of poets, painters, and thinkers who sh…
Level C2ClassicsAll's Well That Ends WellIn a court shadowed by the King's mysterious illness, a young woman of rare skill and virtue seeks to navigate love, duty, and fate.
Level C2ClassicsAlaeddin and the Enchanted LampJourney into a world of magic and mystery as a humble youth discovers an enchanted lamp with the power to change his destiny forever in this timeless Arabian tale of adventure and…
Level C2ClassicsA Short View of the Immorality, and Profaneness of the English Stage: Together with the Sense of Antiquity on this ArgumentA scathing critique exposes how the English stage corrupts virtue by promoting vice, lewdness, and irreverence, challenging the morality and purpose of contemporary plays.
Level C2ClassicsA Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 11Dive into the witty world of early 17th-century drama where Nathaniel Field’s sharp comedies explore the fickle nature of women and society, blending humor and serious reflection i…
Level C2ClassicsA Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 07In a tale of tragic love and bitter revenge, a queen and her beloved earl meet a sorrowful fate, while a grieving father contemplates a final, desperate act to join them in death.
Level C2ClassicsA Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 03Step into the world of early English drama where witty moralities and comedies unfold through vibrant characters like Perverse Doctrine and Ralph Roister Doister, revealing the soc…
Level C2ClassicsA Portrait of the Artist as a Young ManA young boy named Stephen navigates the complex world of childhood, school, and family through vivid memories and sensory impressions.
Level C2ClassicsA Midsummer Night's DreamAs Theseus prepares for his wedding, Hermia defies her father’s command to wed Demetrius, sparking a night of magical mischief and tangled affections in an enchanted forest where l…
Level C2ClassicsA Merry Dialogue Declaringe the Properties of Shrowde Shrews and Honest WivesTwo wives share sharp and honest reflections on marriage, contrasting the trials of shrewish husbands with the virtues of honest wives, blending humor and wisdom in a lively dialog…
Level C2ClassicsA Letter on Shakspere's Authorship of The Two Noble Kinsmen: and on the characteristics of Shakspere's style and the secret of his supremacyExplore a rigorous analysis of Shakespeare's style and the disputed authorship of The Two Noble Kinsmen, questioning whether this play truly reflects the mastery of the Bard’s late…![Cover of A Learned Dissertation on Dumpling (1726): [and] Pudding and Dumpling Burnt to Pot. Or a Compleat Key to the Dissertation on Dumpling (1727) by Henry Carey](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da81rk1p4q6c73eca1e0.webp)
Level C2ClassicsA Learned Dissertation on Dumpling (1726): [and] Pudding and Dumpling Burnt to Pot. Or a Compleat Key to the Dissertation on Dumpling (1727)Dive into a witty 18th-century satire that uses the humble dumpling as a metaphor to expose political corruption and social intrigue in London, blending culinary knowledge with sha…
Level C2ClassicsA Fairy Tale in Two Acts Taken from Shakespeare (1763)A group of amateur actors in Athens prepare to perform the tragic love story of Pyramus and Thisby before the Duke and Duchess, rehearsing with comedic enthusiasm and earnestness u…
Level C2Classics"A Most Unholy Trade," Being Letters on the Drama by Henry JamesExplore intimate letters revealing intense reflections on Ibsen’s play "Little Eyolf," blending sharp theatrical critique with vivid impressions of drama’s power and complexity.
Level C2RomanceAnna KareninaThe classic romance novel by Leo, graf Tolstoy.
Level C2PhilosophyBeyond Good and EvilThe classic philosophy novel by Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche.
Level C2PhilosophyBiographia LiterariaThe classic philosophy novel by Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
Level C2RomanceEloisa : $b or, A series of original lettersThe classic romance novel by Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
Level C2PoetryErotica RomanaThe classic romance novel by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
Level C2ClassicsHistory of Tom Jones, a FoundlingThe classic classics novel by Henry Fielding.
Level C2ClassicsLes MisérablesThe classic historical novel by Victor Hugo.