CEFR C2 · Proficient
Read Proficient Classics in English (C2)
493 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 Martyrs' Idyl, and Shorter Poems, The Marriage of Heaven and Hell and The Man of Uz, and Other Poems. 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 C2PoetrySecond AprilA restless soul confronts the cycle of spring’s fleeting beauty and the harsh realities of life, seeking meaning amid destruction and renewal.
Level C2PoetrySea PoemsDive into a lyrical voyage where the sea becomes a vast subconscious, stirring powerful emotions and timeless truths through vivid poems that explore storms, love, and the mysterie…
Level C2PoetrySatires of Circumstance, Lyrics and Reveries, with Miscellaneous PiecesDive into a haunting journey through memory and loss, where spectral faces from the past emerge amid misty landscapes, and the clash of war disturbs both the living and the dead.
Level C2PoetrySandhyaExperience the fading twilight through poems that blend Bengali musicality with English verse, capturing moments of longing, nature, and spiritual reflection in a collection born f…
Level C2PoetrySaltbush Bill, J. P.Journey into the rugged Australian outback where wild horses roam and wheat fields stretch as far as the eye can see, capturing the spirit of droving life, fierce land struggles, a…
Level C2PoetrySabbath-Breaking on the Canal: A PoemAmidst the bustling commerce along the canal, laborers toil even on the sacred Sabbath, risking spiritual peril in pursuit of wealth.
Level C2PoetryRussian LyricsImmerse yourself in the passionate and varied voices of Russia’s poets, from Cossack warriors to peasants, lovers, and patriots, as their stirring songs and verses come alive in vi…
Level C2PoetryRose and Roof-Tree — PoemsExplore verses that intertwine nature’s beauty and human emotion, where roses climb toward the sky and melodies of growth and love echo beneath the roof-tree.
Level C2HistoricalRoderick, the last of the GothsIn the shadowed dawn of a fading empire, a lone Gothic prince wrestles with destiny, penance, and the relentless march of history.
Level C2PoetryRock of AgesA heartfelt plea for divine refuge and grace unfolds in poetic verses, exploring themes of sin, salvation, and unwavering faith beneath the steadfast Rock of Ages.
Level C2PoetryRobert Louis Stevenson, an Elegy; and Other PoemsA heartfelt poetic tribute explores the life, death, and enduring legacy of a beloved northern dreamer resting on a distant island.
Level C2PoetryRobert BrowningExplore the intricate mind and poetic genius of Robert Browning, a distinctly English yet cosmopolitan poet whose works challenge readers with their depth and individuality, offeri…
Level C2PoetryRivers to the SeaImmerse yourself in a lyrical journey through love, longing, and the fleeting beauty of life, where tender moments and poignant reflections weave a tapestry of emotions beneath the…
Level C2PoetryRiley Songs of HomeA heartfelt collection of poems that explore memories, home, and the simple joys of life, inviting readers to reflect on friendship, childhood, and the passage of time through vivi…
Level C2PoetryRiley Farm-RhymesImmerse yourself in the vibrant sounds and scenes of rural life, where buzzing bees, rustling leaves, and seasonal rhythms paint a heartfelt portrait of the countryside’s enduring…
Level C2PoetryRhymes of a RoughneckIn a harsh northern wilderness forged by devilish design, men are drawn by gold and ambition to a land where nature itself seems hostile and fortune is a deadly gamble.
Level C2PoetryRhymes of Old PlimouthStep into the spirit of early Plymouth through evocative poems that celebrate its history, people, and landscapes—honoring the enduring legacy of the Old Colony and its storied pas…
Level C2PoetryRhymes from the RussianDiscover faithful English translations of Russia’s finest poets, capturing the spirit and soul of a society where poetry unites nobles, soldiers, and peasants alike, revealing the…
Level C2PoetryRhymes a la ModeJourney to an enchanted island where time stands still and immortal souls roam beneath eternal silver dawns.
Level C2FantasyRhyme? and reason?Dive into a whimsical collection of poems and riddles where nonsense and reason intertwine, guided by curious voices and playful rhythms that challenge the mind and delight the sen…
Level C2PoetryResponsibilities, and other poemsDive into a world where ancient myths and personal reflections entwine, as a poet wrestles with heritage, faith, and the haunting echoes of history through stirring verse and evoca…
Level C2PoetryRenascence, and Other PoemsA profound meditation on existence unfolds as a soul confronts the vastness of the universe, bearing the weight of infinite knowledge, sorrow, and compassion.
Level C2PoetryRemedia Amoris; or, The Remedy of Love: Literally Translated into English Prose, with Copious NotesA witty guide to love’s trials offers remedies for those ensnared by passion, teaching how to heal the wounds Cupid’s arrows inflict before they grow too deep.
Level C2PoetryReligious Poems, SelectedExplore a collection of deeply spiritual poems that evoke biblical stories, sacred hymns, and reflections on faith, capturing moments from Bethlehem to ancient sacrifices with reve…
Level C2PoetryReligious Poems, Part 2.: Part 6 From Volume II of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierExplore profound reflections on faith, doubt, and divine love through evocative verses that grapple with human weakness, the mystery of God's goodness, and the soul’s quest for spi…
Level C2PoetryReligious Poems, Part 1.: Part 5 From Volume II of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierJourney through vivid spiritual landscapes where faith, nature, and ancient rites intertwine—from the hopeful Star of Bethlehem blossoming in foreign soil to the haunting downfall…
Level C2PoetryReligious PoemsExplore profound faith and devotion through stirring verses that reflect on sacrifice, divine presence, and the soul’s journey beyond life, inspired by stories of saints, sacred mo…
Level C2PoetryReincarnationsImmerse yourself in a lyrical journey through love, loss, and longing as vivid voices and haunting images evoke timeless human emotions and the enduring spirit of life’s many reinc…
Level C2PoetryReadings from Latin Verse; With NotesExplore the rich world of classical Latin poetry through carefully selected verses, from Ennius' legendary laments to Lucretius' profound reflections on nature and superstition, ac…
Level C2PoetryRandom Rhymes and RamblesExplore heartfelt musings and rustic wisdom through rough-hewn verse and prose, as an untrained rhymer captures life's struggles, kindness, and resilience in candid Yorkshire diale…
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 C2PoetryPuck on PegasusStep aboard the Night Mail North as it races through mist and sleet, carrying passengers bound for hope, escape, and desperate reprieves.
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 C2PoetryPrimitive & Mediaeval Japanese Texts: Transliterated into Roman with introductions, notes and glossariesExplore early Japanese culture through romanized texts of ancient poetry, medieval tales, and theatrical works, accompanied by detailed notes and glossaries to unlock the language…
Level C2PoetryPoint Lace and DiamondsExplore a richly woven collection of poems and dramatic pieces that delve into love, society, and timeless human emotions, from youthful dreams and marital journeys to parables and…
Level C2PoetryPoetryExplore the timeless harmony of the universe through poetry that intertwines celestial music, philosophical reflection, and the human mind’s quest to grasp cosmic order and meaning…
Level C2PoetryPoetical Works of Robert Bridges, Volume 6Step into ancient Athens and Rome, where mistaken identities and political intrigue unfold amid gardens, taverns, and conspiracies.
Level C2PoetryPoetical Works of Robert Bridges, Volume 4Set against the Spanish occupation of Sicily, a romantic drama unfolds in Palermo as Palicio, disguised and wounded, navigates political intrigue, betrayal, and shifting loyalties.
Level C2PoetryPoetical Works of Robert Bridges, Volume 2Explore a rich collection of shorter and new poems that traverse elegies, nature, love, and seasonal reflections, blending classical forms with fresh voices to evoke deep emotion a…
Level C2PoetryPoetical Works of Robert Bridges, Volume 1Ancient myths come alive as Prometheus defies Zeus to gift fire to humanity, sparking divine conflict and prophecy.
Level C2PoetryPoetical Works of Johnson, Parnell, Gray, and Smollett: With Memoirs, Critical Dissertations, and Explanatory NotesDive into the rich tapestry of 18th-century poetry and lives, featuring vivid odes, satirical verses, and intimate memoirs that illuminate the genius and struggles of Samuel Johnso…
Level C2PoetryPoems: Pastoral and PsalmExplore a collection of reflective poems blending pastoral beauty with spiritual psalms, inviting readers into themes of nature, faith, struggle, and hope through serene and contem…
Level C2PoetryPoems: Containing The Restropect, Odes, Elegies, Sonnets, &c.Explore a rich tapestry of poetic forms—from elegies and sonnets to odes and romances—each reflecting on themes of decay, reflection, and ancient legends, inviting readers to ponde…
Level C2PoetryPoems, with The Ballad of Reading GaolDive into a rich collection of evocative poems exploring passion, liberty, and empire, culminating in the haunting "Ballad of Reading Gaol," a profound reflection on justice and hu…
Level C2PoetryPoems, Scots and EnglishExplore a rich tapestry of verse blending the vernacular Scots of the Lowlands with English poetry, capturing voices from hill country tales to wartime reflections, all steeped in…
Level C2PoetryPoems, 1916-1918Immerse yourself in a collection of vivid poems exploring love, nature, and the human spirit amid the shadows of war.
Level C2PoetryPoems, 1914-1919Experience the raw emotions and reflections shaped by the Great War, as poems memorialize loss, courage, and the haunting beauty of life during 1914-1919.
Level C2PoetryPoems, 1799A haunting vision unfolds as a weary maiden drifts into a nightmarish realm of despair, encountering spectral figures and the chilling inevitability of death.