CEFR C2 · Proficient
Read Proficient Classics in English (C2)
413 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 C2PoetryThe Bush Fire, and Other VersesExperience the raw power and vivid imagery of the Australian wilderness as blazing bushfires sweep the land, captured through stirring verses that evoke the beauty and harshness of…
Level C2PoetryThe Bucolics and EcloguesAmidst pastoral fields and shifting fortunes, shepherds Meliboeus and Tityrus contrast exile and freedom, weaving songs of love, loss, and rustic life under the shadow of Rome's ri…
Level C2HistoricalThe BruceDive into the stirring tale of Robert the Bruce’s struggle for Scottish independence, told through medieval manuscripts that reveal battles, betrayals, and the forging of a nation’…
Level C2PoetryThe Blessed DamozelA blessed Damozel in Heaven gazes down with longing, clutching lilies and stars in her hair, yearning for the arrival of her earthly beloved to join her in eternal peace and love b…
Level C2PoetryThe Black Riders, and Other LinesDark forces clash in vivid, haunting verses that explore sin, struggle, and the human heart’s bitter truths.
Level C2PoetryThe Black Christ, & other poemsExplore profound reflections on identity, struggle, and hope through a vivid collection of poems that confront race, heritage, and humanity with powerful imagery and deep emotion.
Level C2PoetryThe Birth of the War-God: A Poem by KálidásaImmerse yourself in the poetic tale of the War-God's mysterious birth, woven with graceful imagery and ancient lore from the polished court of Vikramáditya.
Level C2FantasyThe Bells, and Other PoemsImmerse yourself in haunting melodies and vivid visions as bells toll through joy, terror, and despair, weaving a spellbinding tapestry of sound and emotion.
Level C2PoetryThe Battle of the BaysDive into a vivid poetic journey through youthful passions, renunciations, and bold declarations against kings and matrons, as the speaker reflects on love, freedom, and fleeting d…
Level C2PoetryThe Ballad of St. Barbara, and Other VersesExplore a vivid collection of poems that blend social critique, tradition, and wit—from rebellious carolers to the crafts of guilds and lessons in education—inviting readers to ref…
Level C2PoetryThe Ballad of Reading GaolA man condemned for murdering the woman he loved walks the prison yard in shabby grey, his wistful gaze fixed on the sky above.
Level C2HistoricalThe Ballad of Ensign JoyAmid the grind of wartime duty and the yearning for glory, an earnest young ensign and a reserved woman navigate love, letters, and the harsh realities of the front, capturing the…
Level C2PoetryThe Auld Doctor and other Poems and Songs in ScotsImmerse yourself in lively Scots verse that captures rustic life, quirky characters, and sharp humor—from a hardworking country doctor’s daily trials to whimsical tales of local fo…
Level C2PoetryThe Assemble of GoddesAmidst solitary musings by a lake, a seeker strives to harmonize reason and desire, setting the stage for a divine assembly where gods convene to explore the complexities of human…
Level C2HistoricalThe Arte of English PoesieDelve into the art of poetry with a detailed exploration of poets, their craft, and the divine inspiration behind their creations, revealing how poets shape worlds from imagination…
Level C2PoetryThe Angel of Thought and Other Poems: Impressions from Old MastersDiscover a realm where timeless masterpieces inspire verses that illuminate the sacred, the sublime, and the mysteries of faith through vivid poetic impressions drawn from revered…
Level C2PoetryThe Angel in the HouseA devoted poet seeks to capture the profound beauty of love and home, weaving heartfelt verses inspired by his beloved wife and the joys and duties of married life.
Level C2PoetryThe Amores; or, Amours: Literally Translated into English Prose, with Copious NotesA poet, once set to write of war, finds himself captive to Cupid’s arrows and compelled to sing of love’s irresistible power.
Level C2PoetryThe Affectionate ShepherdA shepherd's heartfelt laments unfold in elegant verse, capturing the pains of love and the solace found in pastoral life.
Level C2HistoricalThe Advance of English Poetry in the Twentieth CenturyExplore the evolution of English poetry as it responds to the upheavals of the early twentieth century, from the impact of the Great War to the voices of new and established poets…
Level C2PoetryTender Buttons: Objects—Food—RoomsExplore everyday objects through a kaleidoscope of language where glass, color, and texture shift in unexpected ways, inviting you to see the ordinary anew in a playful dance of wo…
Level C2PoetryTam O'ShanterOn a stormy Scottish night, Tam O'Shanter rides home through eerie woods, only to stumble upon a wild dance of witches and warlocks at the haunted Kirk-Alloway—where the devil hims…
Level C2PoetrySword Blades and Poppy SeedExplore the delicate craft of poetry where beauty reigns above all, and the poet's voice seeks fresh rhythms and vivid images to capture the essence of emotion and the universe wit…
Level C2PoetrySwamp DemonsPhosphorescent lights beckon travelers into a treacherous swamp where ancient curses and vengeful spirits linger beneath the muck.
Level C2PoetrySun-Up, and Other PoemsAmid flickering shadows and whispered dreams, a child's world unfolds—where fierce love, haunting fears, and vivid imagination intertwine against the backdrop of everyday struggles…
Level C2PoetrySummer of LoveExperience a heartfelt journey through love’s many shades with poems that blend tender emotion and timeless reflection, capturing the warmth and complexity of a summer transformed…
Level C2PoetrySummer Morning: A poemAwaken to the serene beauty of a summer morning, captured in vivid poetic imagery that celebrates nature’s quiet splendor and the gentle rhythms of rural life.
Level C2PoetryStudies in Song, A Century of Roundels, Sonnets on English Dramatic Poets, The Heptalogia, Etc.: From Swinburne's Poems Volume V.Explore a rich tapestry of lyrical forms, from roundels and sonnets to odes, as poetic reflections delve into English dramatic poets, timeless themes, and personal elegies, weaving…
Level C2PoetryStudies in SongExplore a rich tapestry of poetic homage, translation, and lyrical invention that bridges classical genius with English verse, capturing the spirit of history, art, and human exper…
Level C2PoetryStray BirdsDelight in a collection of lyrical, contemplative verses that capture fleeting moments of nature, love, and existence with delicate imagery and profound insight.
Level C2PoetrySprays of ShamrockImmerse yourself in a vivid collection of poems that evoke the landscapes, legends, and spirit of Ireland, from tranquil lakes to ancient hills.
Level C2PoetrySonnets, and Sonnets on English Dramatic Poets (1590-1650): Taken from The Collected Poetical Works of Algernon Charles: Swinburne, Vol V.Dive into a collection of sonnets that pay tribute to the towering figures and anonymous voices of English dramatic poetry from 1590 to 1650, revealing the passion and power behind…
Level C2PoetrySonnets on Sundry Notes of MusicPassion and heartache intertwine in these sonnets, where love’s triumphs and trials unfold through vivid pastoral scenes and heartfelt confessions.
Level C2PoetrySonnets of Shakespeare's GhostA poetic spirit defends the heartfelt truth behind his sonnets, exploring themes of love, beauty, and faith through intimate verses that challenge critics and celebrate profound af…
Level C2RomanceSonnets from the PortugueseA weary singer finds her solitary world transformed by a princely heart whose music and presence awaken deep love and longing, defying distance, fate, and even death itself.
Level C2PoetrySonnets and VerseExplore a rich tapestry of sonnets, lyrical poems, ballades, and epigrams that delve into themes from nature and history to society and personal reflection, all woven with wit, dep…
Level C2PoetrySonnets and Other VerseExplore timeless themes of change, beauty, and human endeavor through a rich collection of sonnets and verses that reflect on life's fleeting nature, the pursuit of truth, and the…
Level C2PoetrySongs, Merry and SadExplore the tender moments of love, loss, and memory through evocative verses that celebrate marriage, nature, and the bittersweet passage of time.
Level C2PoetrySongs out of DoorsImmerse yourself in lyrical celebrations of nature’s melodies, where birdsong and the changing seasons evoke tender memories and quiet reflections on life’s fleeting beauty.
Level C2PoetrySongs of the Springtides and Birthday Ode: Taken from The Collected Poetical Works of Algernon Charles: Swinburne—Vol. IIIDive into evocative odes and ballads that echo with historical reverence and poetic defiance, capturing moments of grandeur and solemn reflection amid shifting tides of time and me…
Level C2PoetrySongs of the Silent World, and Other PoemsExplore profound reflections on love, loss, and the unseen bonds that transcend death through evocative poems that give voice to the silent world beyond life’s reach.
Level C2PoetrySongs of the Glens of AntrimImmerse yourself in the heartfelt songs and vivid landscapes of Ireland’s Glens of Antrim, where love, longing, and the rhythms of rural life unfold in the local dialect and tender…
Level C2PoetrySongs of the Common Day, and, Ave!: An Ode for the Shelley CentenaryImmerse yourself in vivid sonnets celebrating the rhythms of common outdoor life, alongside a stirring ode honoring the spirit of Shelley’s birth centenary.
Level C2PoetrySongs of the Army of the NightA passionate collection of poems captures the harsh realities of labor, poverty, and social injustice across England, Australia, and beyond, giving voice to the dispossessed and th…
Level C2PoetrySongs of Two NationsA powerful vision of freedom and nationhood unfolds as a mysterious, radiant figure embodies hope and truth, inspiring a stirring call to awaken from despair and embrace the enduri…
Level C2PoetrySongs of TwoA dreamer reflects on love, loss, and memory through heartfelt verses that explore the delicate balance between giving and receiving, joy and sorrow, life and death.
Level C2PoetrySongs of Labor and Reform: Part 5 From Volume III of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierExplore powerful poems that confront slavery, labor struggles, and social reform through the steady voice of conscience and faith, revealing the timeless fight for justice and huma…
Level C2PoetrySongs of Innocence and of ExperienceJourney through a world where innocence meets experience, as playful songs and tender reflections reveal the joys, sorrows, and mysteries of childhood and nature in vivid, heartfel…