CEFR C2 · Proficient
Read Proficient Classics in English (C2)
230 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 Mirror for Magistrates, Volume 2, Part 2, Milton's Comus and Memories of Lincoln. 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.
- 230
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Level C2PoetryMountain Pictures, and other poems: Part 2 From Volume II of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierImmerse yourself in vivid mountain landscapes and serene natural scenes where waterfalls laugh and sunsets glow, capturing the quiet strength and beauty of the wilderness.
Level C2PoetryMother Goose for Grown FolksDive into a whimsical world where timeless nursery rhymes carry hidden wisdom, playful satire, and unexpected truths that resonate far beyond childhood tales.
Level C2PoetryMore Songs From VagabondiaWander with the vagrant singers through bustling streets and sunlit woods, where wild melodies and restless spirits celebrate joy, love, and the endless allure of freedom.
Level C2HistoricalMirror for Magistrates, Volume 2, Part 2Explore the lives and fates of ten renowned princes through poetic histories that blend careful scholarship with vivid storytelling, offering moral lessons drawn from the triumphs…
Level C2PoetryMilton's ComusA noble soul faces a dark enchantment in a poetic drama exploring the clash between virtue and temptation, body and spirit.
Level C2PoetryMemories of LincolnExplore a profound poetic tribute that intertwines nature’s symbols—the lilac, the hermit thrush, and the evening star—to mourn and honor a visionary leader whose legacy resonates…
Level C2PoetryMemories of Canada and Scotland — Speeches and VersesExplore the vast landscapes and rich histories of Canada and Scotland through stirring poems and eloquent speeches that celebrate nature, nationhood, and cultural pride across rive…
Level C2PoetryMaud, and Other PoemsHaunted by his father's tragic death and the corruption surrounding him, a tormented soul wrestles with despair, social decay, and the haunting presence of Maud, whose icy beauty m…
Level C2PoetryMatinsA soul and body grapple with the mysteries of life, death, and divine grace at the break of dawn, seeking meaning and strength amid the cycles of nature and faith.
Level C2PoetryLyrics selected from the works of A. Mary F. RobinsonDive into a rich collection of evocative poems exploring themes from nature and love to art and loss, each lyric inviting you to wander through pastoral scenes, timeless reflection…
Level C2PoetryLyra Celtica: An Anthology of Representative Celtic PoetryExplore a rich collection of Celtic poetry spanning ancient to modern times, offering a glimpse into the vibrant traditions, myths, and history of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Brittan…
Level C2PoetryLucastaPassion and valor intertwine in a collection of poems devoted to Lucasta, capturing love's complexities amid war and imprisonment.
Level C2PoetryLove or Fame; and Other PoemsA young girl stands on the brink of womanhood, caught between the innocent joys of girlhood and the restless longing for a deeper life.
Level C2PoetryLove in the Suds: a Town Eclogue.: Being the Lamentation of Roscius for the Loss of His Nyky.In a biting poetic lament, a playwright named Roscius mourns the loss of his beloved Nyky amidst the intrigues and rivalries of London's theatrical world, exposing the power strugg…
Level C2PoetryLove SongsDive into a world where beauty and longing intertwine through delicate, evocative verses that explore love’s joys and sorrows—from whispered kisses to silent yearnings beneath star…
Level C2PoetryLook! We Have Come Through!Experience the raw journey of a man grappling with love, loss, and self-discovery during the tumultuous passage into maturity, where passion and conflict intertwine beneath the moo…
Level C2PoetryLondon SonnetsExplore the vibrant streets and hidden corners of London through evocative sonnets that capture everyday life, love, and war, painting a poetic portrait of a city alive with storie…
Level C2PoetryLife Immovable. First PartAmidst fierce cultural and political turmoil in early 20th-century Greece, a poet wrestles with identity, language, and national heritage, capturing the passions and conflicts of h…
Level C2PoetryLectures on Poetry: Read in the Schools of Natural Philosophy at OxfordDelve into the intricate art of poetry as explored through engaging lectures that balance classical wisdom with original insight.
Level C2PoetryLeaves of GrassA vibrant celebration of individuality, democracy, and the human spirit unfolds through expansive, free-flowing verse that explores life, nature, war, and the boundless sea, inviti…
Level C2FantasyLe Corbeau = The RavenIn a midnight chamber haunted by sorrow for lost Lenore, a mysterious raven appears, its eerie presence stirring dreams and fears beyond mortal reckoning.
Level C2PoetryLays from the WestJourney through vivid memories and longing as a soul wanders from the wild prairies back to the cherished landscapes and heartfelt songs of the Green Isle, blending nature’s beauty…
Level C2PoetryLater PoemsExplore a world where thoughts roam like flocks under the watchful care of a poetic shepherdess, and reflections on faith, love, and life's changing seasons unfold in rich, lyrical…
Level C2RomanceLast Poems: Translations from the Book of Indian LoveDive into a world of exotic passion and mystique through poetic translations that reveal the intimate laments and celebrations of Indian love, from dancing-girls to sacred nights.
Level C2PoetryLast Poems by A. E. HousmanSoldiers confront the haunting shadows of war, love, and loss as they march through fading days and uncertain futures.
Level C2PoetryLamiaIn a world where gods and mythical creatures roam, a serpent cursed with a woman's soul seeks to regain her human form and love a mortal youth, setting the stage for a tale of ench…
Level C2PoetryLamentsA grieving father turns to poetry to mourn his beloved young daughter, blending profound sorrow with reflections on life, death, and hope.
Level C2PoetryL'Allegro, Il Penseroso, Comus, and LycidasEscape into vivid pastoral scenes where mirth and melancholy dance in poetic harmony, inviting you to revel in nature's joys and ponder deeper shadows of the soul through enchantin…
Level C2PoetryKathrina—A PoemA lyrical tribute to womanhood unfolds through vivid memories of childhood, love, and loss, tracing a soul’s journey from innocent hope to profound despair amid the beauty and tria…
Level C2PoetryJourneys Through Bookland, Vol. 4Explore timeless poems and stirring stories that celebrate simple joys, noble character, and heroic deeds, weaving history, nature, and human spirit into a rich tapestry of verse a…
Level C2PoetryJohn Marr and Other PoemsAmidst the vast, stormy seas, sailors' voices from a bygone era rise again, evoking memories of camaraderie, duty, and the relentless challenges of life at sea.
Level C2PoetryJinglesExplore a heartfelt collection of poems that capture the nuances of parting and the emotions woven into farewells, inviting reflection on life's transitions and the echoes they lea…
Level C2HistoricalJerusalem DeliveredAs Christian knights unite under Godfrey's command to reclaim Jerusalem, divine forces and earthly valor collide in a soaring tale of faith, warfare, and sacred duty amid the Crusa…
Level C2PoetryIonicaExplore a collection of 85 poems blending classical scholarship with personal reflection, tracing a scholar's journey from boyhood to intellectual maturity amidst themes of home, r…
Level C2PoetryIoläus: The man that was a ghostExplore a haunting collection of sonnets and poems that weave vivid imagery, spiritual reflection, and powerful symbolism, evoking the spirit of a new century through a rich tapest…
Level C2PoetryInebriety and The CandidateExplore the intoxicating power of drink as it weaves through society’s ranks, from rustic jesters to noble halls, revealing both the folly and frenzy that sway reason and ignite fi…
Level C2PoetryIndian and Other TalesJourney through vivid landscapes and tender lives, from mystical forests and tropical seas to the struggles of a devoted mother and the harsh realities faced by weary bullocks, all…
Level C2PoetryIndian Poetry: Containing "The Indian Song of Songs," from the Sanskrit of the Gîta Govinda of Jayadeva, Two books from "The Iliad Of India" (Mahábhárata), "Proverbial Wisdom" from the Shlokas of the Hitopadesa, and other Oriental Poems.Explore the rich tapestry of ancient Indian culture through sacred songs, epic tales from the Mahábhárata, and timeless proverbs that reveal the spiritual and social essence of a c…
Level C2PoetryIn Various Moods: Poems and VersesExplore a rich tapestry of poems that celebrate the spirit of learning, the power of faith, and humanity’s relentless quest for progress, weaving together history, hope, and timele…
Level C2PoetryIn The Seven Woods: Being Poems Chiefly of the Irish Heroic AgeAmid the ancient whispers of the Seven Woods, a weary queen awakens to a mysterious summons from a shadowy king, stirring forgotten powers and stirring a timeless struggle woven wi…
Level C2PoetryIn Memorabilia MortisAs autumn deepens, the year’s fading light casts a reflective shadow over nature’s decline, weaving dreams of love, loss, and memory in a garden where beauty and desire linger beyo…
Level C2RomanceIdylls of the KingAmid a land torn by war and wilderness, a young king rises to unite fractured kingdoms and tame wild beasts threatening his people.
Level C2PoetryIdyllic Monologues: Old and New World VersesDive into a rich tapestry of verses that blend old and new worlds, capturing heroic deeds, timeless tales, and quiet moments of nature’s beauty.
Level C2PoetryHudibras, in Three Parts, Written in the Time of the Late WarsDive into a sharp and witty poetic journey set amid the turmoil of civil wars, where natural genius and learned insight collide to craft a timeless satire on human folly and confli…
Level C2PoetryHoræ NauseæDive into a rich tapestry of poetic translations and original verses, where maritime imagery and witty reflections blend to explore friendship, cuisine, and the human spirit on the…
Level C2PoetryHorizons and landmarksExplore evocative poems that capture the rhythms of life and the haunting beauty of unknown shores, where melody and melancholy intertwine in vivid reflections on nature and the hu…
Level C2PoetryHis Lady of the SonnetsAwakened from slumber, a soul is stirred by the enchanting presence of a beloved, inspiring visions of timeless love and mystical beauty.
Level C2PoetryHero and Leander and Other PoemsAcross the Hellespont, young Leander braves the treacherous waters to reach Hero, a radiant priestess of Venus, sparking a passionate romance shadowed by fate’s cruel hand in this…