CEFR C2 · Proficient
Read Proficient Classics in English (C2)
622 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 Theodore Watts-Dunton: Poet, Novelist, Critic, Theaetetus and The works of Richard Hurd, volume 3 (of 8). 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 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…
Level C2PoetryHero and LeanderAcross the divided shores of Hellespont, the beautiful Hero and the passionate Leander are drawn together by a love that defies Neptune’s might and the watchful eyes of gods and mo…
Level C2PoetryHere foloweth a lytell treatyse of the beaute of women newly translated out of Frenshe in to EnglysheExplore a delicate poetic treatise celebrating the beauty of women, presented in its original medieval form with authentic spelling and structure, inviting readers into a timeless…
Level C2PoetryHephaestus, Persephone at Enna, and Sappho in LeucadiaGods and mortals entwine in a poignant tale of love and loss, as Hephaestus relinquishes Aphrodite to Ares while grappling with the immortal and mortal forces that bind desire, fat…
Level C2PoetryHelen of Troy, and Other PoemsHaunted by beauty and divine wrath, Helen of Troy reflects on her eternal legacy of desire and destruction, trapped between life’s allure and the shadow of death.
Level C2PoetryHelen Redeemed and Other PoemsStep into the twilight of Troy’s tenth year, where Helen’s women confront fate amid incense and whispers to Aphrodite, weaving epic drama and lyrical passion in a powerful poetic r…
Level C2PoetryHawthorn and Lavender, with Other VersesExplore a vivid tapestry of nature’s cycles and human emotions, where rich imagery and poignant harmonies reveal the clash between life's fleeting joys and the shadow of despair, a…
Level C2MysteryHarryA chance smile at a passion-flower sparks an unexpected love between a strong, handsome soldier and a carefree young woman, setting their lives on an enchanting path of romance and…
Level C2PoetryHappy Ending: The Collected Lyrics of Louise Imogen GuineyA man battles inner doubts and ancient foes, urged by his angel to fight on beyond visible defeat.
Level C2PoetryHamewithJourney to the distant Transvaal where the spirit of Scotland endures in heartfelt verses that echo the landscapes, language, and lost traditions of a homeland left behind but neve…
Level C2PoetryGreybeards at Play: Literature and Art for Old GentlemenOld age becomes a playground for wit and wonder as two lifelong friends embrace childlike joy and curiosity, exploring nature, philosophy, and the quirks of life with humor and hea…
Level C2PoetryGreen Bays. Verses and ParodiesDive into a world of wit and whimsy where Oxford verses meet lively parodies, weaving tales of love, loss, and legend through vivid imagery and playful rhythm.
Level C2PoetryGrass of ParnassusExplore timeless verses weaving friendship, change, and memory with delicate translations and original poems inspired by ancient muses and landscapes.
Level C2HistoricalGrandmother's Story of Bunker Hill Battle, as She Saw it from the BelfryAn eighty-year-old grandmother recalls the harrowing sights and sounds of the Battle of Bunker Hill, as cannon fire roars and soldiers clash just beyond the river.
Level C2PoetryGolden Numbers: A Book of Verse for YouthImmerse yourself in a curated collection of inspiring poems that celebrate nature, seasons, and youthful wonder, drawn from timeless voices and crafted to ignite the imagination of…
Level C2PoetryGoblin Market, The Prince's Progress, and Other PoemsTwo sisters encounter mysterious goblin merchants tempting them with exotic fruits, but their curiosity and desire lead to unforeseen consequences in this hauntingly lyrical tale o…
Level C2PoetryGloucester Moors and Other PoemsExplore a rich tapestry of reflections and emotions inspired by historical moments, haunting landscapes, and profound dialogues, each poem inviting you to pause and ponder the dept…
Level C2PoetryGeorgian Poetry 1918-19In a dimly lit tavern, a fierce woman wields an uncanny power to summon a distant man back to her, sparking tension and awe among onlookers as a desperate runner pounds the streets…
Level C2PoetryGeorgian Poetry 1916-1917Immerse yourself in a vivid collection of poems that evoke distant lands, magical nature scenes, and haunting memories, capturing moments of wonder, loss, and the mysterious beauty…
Level C2PoetryGeorgian Poetry 1913-15In a realm shadowed by illness and watchful eyes, a queen's mysterious suffering unfolds amid whispers of loyalty and betrayal, where sleep and wakefulness blur the lines between l…
Level C2PoetryGeorgian Poetry 1911-1912A man wrestles with fear and faith as he prepares to journey to India by sea, confronting visions of danger and the relentless power of nature.
Level C2PoetryGeorge Crabbe: Poems, Volume 1 (of 3)Explore the early poetic works and unpublished verses of a keen observer of life’s subtleties, tracing the evolution of his voice from youthful reflections to mature insights in th…
Level C2FantasyGeneral William Booth Enters into Heaven, and Other PoemsA bold and visionary march through heaven’s gates follows General William Booth as he leads society’s outcasts—lepers, convicts, and lost souls—into a transformed, radiant afterlif…
Level C2PoetryGay gods and merry mortals: some excursions in verseExplore vivid verses that bring ancient myths to life, weaving tales of gods and mortals with charm, passion, and timeless emotion through a series of poetic excursions steeped in…
Level C2PoetryFruit-GatheringA poetic journey through life's seasons, exploring themes of growth, loss, and spiritual yearning, as a soul gathers the fruits of experience and seeks freedom, wisdom, and union b…
Level C2PoetryFrom the Lips of the SeaImmerse yourself in evocative verses that summon the sea’s timeless mysteries, from ancient mariners’ legends to haunting mists and the eternal dance of wind and tide.
Level C2PoetryFrom a London gardenExplore vivid reflections on life, time, and the human spirit through a collection of evocative poems set against the backdrop of London’s streets and gardens.
Level C2PoetryFringilla: Some Tales In VerseJourney into ancient Egypt where the river’s rise signals a sacred festival entwined with beauty, mystery, and a bridal prize tied to the flood’s terrifying power.
Level C2PoetryForty-Two PoemsExplore a haunting journey through memory, loss, and longing in a collection of 42 poems that evoke timeless emotions—from the silent voices of the dead to tender moments in Camden…
Level C2PoetryForest Pictures in the AdirondacksImmerse yourself in vivid scenes and original poems capturing the serene beauty and wild spirit of the Adirondack wilderness, from rushing rapids to tranquil forests and towering m…
Level C2PoetryFlame and ShadowImmerse yourself in vivid, lyrical reflections on nature, love, and the fleeting beauty of life, where each poem ignites the soul with the fierce glow of flame and the gentle myste…
Level C2PoetryFires of DriftwoodDelve into a sea of vivid imagery and poignant reflection as drifting remnants of past glories ignite a delicate fire of memory and longing.![Cover of Fifty Christmas poems for children by Florence B. [Compiler] Hyett](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dabnpso9638s73a33fbg.webp)
Level C2PoetryFifty Christmas poems for childrenCelebrate the magic of Christmas through fifty enchanting poems that capture the wonder, joy, and timeless traditions of the holiday season, perfect for children and families to ch…
Level C2PoetryEyes of Youth: A Book of Verse by Padraic Colum, Shane Leslie, Viola Meynell, Ruth Lindsay, Hugh Austin, Judith Lytton, Olivia Meynell, Maurice Healy, Monica Saleeby & Francis Meynell. With four early poems by Francis Thompson & a foreword by Gilbert K. ChestertonDiscover a rich tapestry of brief yet profound poems that explore timeless themes from love and loss to cosmic revelation, brought to life by a diverse chorus of voices united by v…
Level C2HistoricalEuphorion - Vol. I: Being Studies of the Antique and the Mediaeval in the RenaissanceDelve into a profound exploration of the Renaissance as the mystical child of ancient Antiquity and medieval longing, embodied by Faust and Helena.
Level C2PoetryEnoch Arden, &c.In a coastal village, childhood friends Enoch, Philip, and Annie grow into love and rivalry amid the sea’s ever-changing tides.
Level C2PoetryEnglish and Scottish Ballads, Volume IDive into a rich collection of English and Scottish ballads, weaving tales of fairies, tragic love, heroes, outlaws, and historic events, each preserved in authentic versions that…
Level C2PoetryEnglish Songs and BalladsDiscover a rich collection of beloved English songs and ballads that capture the spirit and tastes of the people, from tender love poems to stirring tales of history and nature’s b…
Level C2PoetryEnglish Poems, Volume 02 (of 2)Explore a collection of evocative poems capturing moments of love, life, and introspection, set against the backdrop of early 20th-century Lisbon.
Level C2PoetryEnglish Poems, Volume 01 (of 2)Dive into a lyrical journey through two distinct poetic sequences, exploring themes of memory, identity, and the passage of time with evocative language and introspective depth.
Level C2PoetryEnglish PoemsIn a world where love is bound by duty and desire ignites in secret, a young couple risks everything for a forbidden passion that defies age, honor, and fate.