CEFR C2 · Proficient
Read Proficient Classics in English (C2)
70 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 Yorkshire Lyrics: Poems written in the Dialect as Spoken in the West Riding of Yorkshire. To which are added a Selection of Fugitive Verses not in the Dialect, XXXII Ballades in Blue China [1885] and Within a Budding Grove. 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.
- 70
- books
Level C2PhilosophyTheaetetusDive into a rich philosophical dialogue where Socrates and Theaetetus explore the nature of knowledge through shifting viewpoints, irony, and relentless questioning, set in the vib…
Level C2RomanceThe works of Richard Hurd, volume 3 (of 8)Explore the art of dialogue as ancient wisdom meets modern thought, unraveling debates on morals, government, and philosophy with wit and reverence.
Level C2PhilosophyThe Yoga-Vasishtha Maharamayana of Valmiki, Vol. 4 (of 4), Part 2 (of 2)Explore a profound dialogue unveiling the nature of the intellect as an eternal, unchanging vacuum that creates and dissolves the world like dreams—challenging the very notions of…
Level C2PhilosophyThe Yoga-Vasishtha Maharamayana of Valmiki, Vol. 3 (of 4), Part 1 (of 2)A saint embarks on a profound journey through stages of pranava Yoga, meditating on the sacred syllable Om to transcend the body and mind, achieving spiritual quiescence and transf…
Level C2PhilosophyThe Yoga-Vasishtha Maharamayana of Valmiki, Vol. 2 (of 4), Part 2 (of 2)Delve into profound philosophical discourse exploring the nature of existence, where the world is revealed as a mere projection of the mind—an ephemeral dream dissolving illusions…
Level C2PhilosophyThe Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 2Explore a world where myth and nature intertwine, as detailed investigations challenge the existence of legendary creatures like griffins, blending ancient symbolism with scientifi…
Level C2PhilosophyThe Works of Samuel Johnson, in Sixteen Volumes. Volume 04A woman's remorseful narrative reveals the harsh realities of seduction and societal judgment, exploring themes of innocence lost, guilt, and the struggle between conscience and co…
Level C2PhilosophyThe Works of Lucian of Samosata — Volume 03Explore the life and wisdom of Demonax, a philosopher who blends humor, kindness, and insight while challenging societal norms and inspiring others toward virtue and contentment in…
Level C2Science FictionThe Works of Lucian of Samosata — Volume 02Dive into a witty exploration of the scholar’s struggle for patronage and intellectual survival, as the narrative unveils the harsh realities behind the allure of a life supported…
Level C2PhilosophyThe Undying Fire: A contemporary novelA cosmic dialogue unfolds between two eternal beings—God and Satan—whose metaphysical chess game shapes the universe, blending divine order with rebellious life and unexpected chao…
Level C2PoetryThe Temple of Nature; or, the Origin of Society: A Poem, with Philosophical NotesExplore the origins of life, love, and society through vivid, imaginative scenes blending mythology, nature, and philosophy.
Level C2PhilosophyThe SymposiumAt a grand festival, a chance encounter leads Socrates and esteemed guests to a lavish banquet where beauty, love, and philosophy intertwine, revealing the profound and playful nat…
Level C2PoetryThe Song Celestial; Or, Bhagavad-Gîtâ (from the Mahâbhârata): Being a discourse between Arjuna, Prince of India, and the Supreme Being under the form of KrishnaAmid the looming battle of Kurukshetra, Prince Arjuna faces a profound moral crisis, prompting a divine discourse with Krishna on duty, righteousness, and the path to spiritual wis…
Level C2PhilosophyThe ServiceExplore the nature of true bravery and virtue through a philosophical lens that contrasts the fearless soul with the coward, revealing how inner strength and balanced wisdom shape…
Level C2PoetryThe Secrets of the Self (Asrar-i Khudi) — A Philosophical PoemA passionate call to embrace selfhood and individuality, this philosophical poem weaves Islamic spirituality with Western philosophy, urging Muslims to awaken, strengthen their ide…
Level C2PoetryThe Preface to Aristotle's Art of PoetryExplore the lively debate on tragedy, the role of the chorus, and poetic rules shaped by 17th-century critics who grapple with Aristotle's Poetics, blending moral instruction with…
Level C2PhilosophyThe Praise of FollyA witty meditation on folly that blends humor and wisdom, challenging societal norms and human vices through playful yet sharp reflections.
Level C2PoetryThe Poetics of AristotleExplore the nature and forms of poetry, from epic to tragedy and comedy, as it imitates human action and character through rhythm, language, and harmony, revealing the art behind s…
Level C2PhilosophyThe Philosophy of the Plays of Shakspere UnfoldedExplore the hidden philosophy woven into Shakespeare’s plays, unveiling Elizabethan secrets of morality, politics, and science through dramatic texts and rhetorical methods that ch…
Level C2PhilosophyThe Philosophic Grammar of American Languages, as Set Forth by Wilhelm von Humboldt: With the Translation of an Unpublished Memoir by Him on the American VerbExplore the intricate philosophy behind American languages through a deep analysis of their structure, origins, and verb forms, guided by Wilhelm von Humboldt’s pioneering linguist…
Level C2PoetryThe MesneviExplore a rich tapestry of spiritual teachings, history, and morality woven into Persian verse, tracing the life and legacy of a revered mystic and founder of the Mevlevi dervishes…
Level C2PhilosophyThe MemorabiliaExplore the defense of Socrates against charges of impiety and corrupting youth, revealing his deep belief in divine signs and the limits of human judgment in guiding both everyday…
Level C2PoetryThe Marriage of Heaven and HellExplore a visionary blend of opposites where good and evil intertwine, reason meets energy, and desire challenges restraint.
Level C2PoetryThe Luzumiyat of Abu'l-Ala: Selected from his Luzum ma la Yalzam and Suct us-ZandIn a time of superstition and strife, a blind poet wields reason and wisdom as his weapons, challenging bigotry and tyranny with fierce intellect and soulful verse.
Level C2HistoricalThe Literary Remains of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Volume 3Delve into profound theological reflections, prayers, and ecclesiastical debates exploring the nature of faith, sacraments, and spiritual communion.
Level C2PoetryThe Kasîdah of Hâjî Abdû El-YezdîJourney through a poetic meditation on life's dualities—happiness and misery, love and reason—as a soul contemplates existence, fate, and the quest for higher truth amid the shifti…
Level C2PhilosophyThe Golden Sayings of Epictetus, with the Hymn of CleanthesExplore the divine gifts of reason and self-mastery, and join a timeless hymn to the power within us.
Level C2PoetryThe German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, Volume 07: Masterpieces of German Literature Translated into English. in Twenty VolumesExplore the profound ideas of Hegel alongside stirring poetry and drama from Germany's rich 19th-century literary landscape, translated into English and brought to life through the…
Level C2PhilosophyThe Essays or Counsels, Civil and MoralExplore timeless reflections on truth, virtue, and human nature as this collection of essays delves into the complexities of morality, wisdom, and society, offering insights that r…
Level C2HistoricalThe Deipnosophists; or, Banquet of the Learned of Athenæus, Vol. 3 (of 3)Philosophers and poets debate the nature of pleasure, luxury, and virtue, contrasting the austere lives of ancient heroes with the indulgent customs of their present day.
Level C2PhilosophyThe Campaner Thal, and Other WritingsJourney to the enchanting Campaner Thal reveals a miniature, dreamlike world where philosophy, nature, and immortality intertwine.
Level C2PhilosophySophistPhilosophical minds grapple with the elusive nature of Being and Not-being as an Eleatic stranger challenges Socratic thought, dissecting sophisms that blur truth and falsehood.
Level C2PhilosophySacred Books of the EastExplore the ancient spiritual hymns and sacred texts that reveal profound religious awe and timeless philosophical insights, from Vedic chants to the teachings of Buddha and the Ko…
Level C2PoetryQuartz from the UplandsA powerful call to awaken the creative spirit within a world dulled by convention and industry’s roar, urging a deep communion with nature’s cycles and a fierce critique of society…
Level C2PoetryProverbial Philosophy: The First and Second SeriesDelve into reflective poetry that weaves wisdom and truth through thoughtful musings on life, knowledge, and the human spirit.
Level C2PhilosophyPlutarch's MoralsExplore timeless ethical reflections on education, virtue, friendship, and the challenges of human nature, offering practical guidance on living a moral and contented life within t…
Level C2PhilosophyPhilebusExplore a profound dialogue where Socrates and his companions debate pleasure, knowledge, and the highest good, unraveling complex ideas about the nature of happiness and the mixed…
Level C2PhilosophyPetrarch's Secret; or, the Soul's Conflict with Passion: Three Dialogues Between Himself and S. AugustineA profound philosophical dialogue unfolds as a man confronts his inner passions through intimate conversations with Saint Augustine, revealing the soul's struggle between reason an…
Level C2PhilosophyOur EternityConfront the ultimate mystery as fear and denial cloud our understanding of death, the one inevitable event that shapes our existence and defies our intellect.
Level C2PoetryOn the Nature of ThingsA poetic exploration unfolds, revealing the cosmic forces of nature and the eternal power of love that shapes life and the universe.
Level C2MysteryNote Book of an English Opium-EaterDive into a darkly playful exploration where murder is dissected as a twisted art form, blurring the lines between horror and extravagance in a provocative reflection on human fasc…
Level C2PhilosophyNatural history of intellect, and other papersExplore the laws and powers of the intellect as natural phenomena, revealing how the mind shapes and comprehends the universe itself.
Level C2PhilosophyL. Annaeus Seneca on BenefitsExplore the art of giving, receiving, and repaying kindness through the moral philosophy of a Roman thinker whose insights shaped early Christian and classical thought.
Level C2PhilosophyHomer and Classical PhilologyExplore the complex world of Classical Philology, where history, science, and aesthetics collide in the quest to uncover the enduring ideals of antiquity amidst modern skepticism a…
Level C2PhilosophyHerder's conception of "das Volk"Explore the rich historical and linguistic roots of the German term "Volk," tracing its evolution from ancient Germanic languages to its broader cultural and philosophical meanings…
Level C2PhilosophyGiordano BrunoOn Pentecost in a Paris dominated by Italian influence, a young Dominican monk challenges orthodox beliefs with radical ideas about the Spirit’s freedom and the unity of the visibl…
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 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…