CEFR C2 · Proficient
Read Proficient Classics in English (C2)
41 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.
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![Cover of Torrent of Portyngale by E. [Editor] Adam](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da87nl4v7nos73d6oblg.webp)
Level C2RomanceTorrent of PortyngaleIn a medieval world of chivalry and legend, a noble hero faces trials of love and honor that test his courage and devotion.
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 C2RomanceThe cõforte of louers: The Comfort of LoversA heart weighed down by sorrow seeks solace in a mystical garden where a wise lady offers hope and healing for a love long concealed and deeply felt.
Level C2RomanceThe Trumpeter of Säkkingen: A Song from the Upper Rhine.A wandering German minstrel finds inspiration and adventure across Italy, weaving a heartfelt song of love and home that echoes through the Black Forest and beyond.
Level C2RomanceThe Tales of the Heptameron, Vol. 4 (of 5)Intrigue and passion intertwine in a series of captivating tales where friars face justice, lovers test loyalty, and hidden secrets unravel amid the complexities of honor and desir…
Level C2RomanceThe Sylph, Volume I and IIA charming rogue’s reckless pursuit of elusive beauties leads to a fateful fall and an unexpected encounter with mysterious sylvan maidens, igniting an unconventional romance that…
Level C2FantasyThe Story of the Volsungs (Volsunga Saga); with Excerpts from the Poetic EddaAncient Norse legends unfold with heroes, gods, and deadly swords in a saga that traces the rise and fall of the Volsung family, weaving fate, betrayal, and fierce battles in a sta…
Level C2RomanceThe Palace of Pleasure, Volume 2In Siena, noble Galgano endures unrequited love for Madonna Minoccia, whose husband unknowingly praises him.
Level C2RomanceThe Orlando InnamoratoAmidst enchanted towers and wild adventures, a fearless knight pursues a mysterious, elusive enchantress while a rich tapestry of intertwined tales and allegories unfolds, weaving…
Level C2RomanceThe New Abelard: A Romance, Volume 1 (of 3)In a storm-tossed world where reason battles superstition, a passionate intellectual pursues a perilous quest for truth and meaning alongside a devoted companion, navigating love,…
Level C2RomanceThe Lovers Assistant; Or, New Art of LoveDive into a witty and modernized adaptation of Ovid's Art of Love, blending Roman mythology with 18th-century social satire and sharp commentary on love, manners, and patriotism in…
Level C2RomanceThe Lay of Havelok the DaneA noble Dane's lost heritage unfolds through trials and romance in a tale rediscovered from ancient manuscripts.
Level C2RomanceThe Flourishing of Romance and the Rise of Allegory: (Periods of European Literature, vol. II)Explore the vibrant interplay of romance and allegory across medieval Europe, as French, English, German, Provençal, and Icelandic literatures shape a rich tapestry of literary evo…
Level C2MysteryThe Eye of Istar: A Romance of the Land of No ReturnAmid the looming threat of war in the mysterious city of Omdurman, a devoted servant embarks on a perilous journey to unveil the secrets of the forbidden Land of No Return and conf…
Level C2RomanceThe Dark StarBeneath the ominous reign of the Dark Star Erlik, lives intertwine across continents and destinies, bound by ancient cosmic forces and the relentless tides of history.
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 C2RomanceShe and I, Volume 2: A Love Story. A Life History.Caught between dreams and reality, a man grapples with love and longing as he envisions a haunting ascent of the Alpine peaks, where a chasm bars his path to the woman he adores, t…
Level C2RomanceRosalynde; or, Euphues' Golden LegacyIn a pastoral setting where love and wit intertwine, a noble heroine navigates the trials of romance and loyalty.
Level C2MysteryOswald Langdon: or, Pierre and Paul Lanier. A Romance of 1894-1898Two brothers, Pierre and Paul Lanier, become entangled in a web of mystery spanning continents—from London to India—where secrets, conspiracies, and shifting alliances threaten the…
Level C2RomanceMucedorusA noble prince embarks on a quest to win the heart of a radiant princess, navigating courtly intrigue where mirth clashes with envy, and comedy battles tragic fate.
Level C2RomanceMalcolmIn a small Scottish town, Miss Horn confronts whispered rumors and hidden sorrows surrounding the death of her cousin Griselda, revealing a world where harsh judgments clash with f…
Level C2RomanceMae MaddenA man haunted by a timeless dream finally glimpses the mysterious woman he’s sought through the ages on the shimmering canals of Venice.
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 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 C2RomanceHypnerotomachia: The Strife of Loue in a DreameIn a dreamlike journey through a mysterious, enchanted landscape, a solitary traveler confronts the fleeting nature of worldly pleasures and the vanities of life, guided by vivid v…
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 C2RomanceEndymion: A Poetic RomanceA young dreamer embarks on a poetic journey through lush forests and sacred altars, seeking beauty and meaning amid nature’s timeless splendor.
Level C2RomanceCymbelineIn a kingdom shadowed by sorrow and banishment, a princess defies royal expectations by marrying a humble gentleman, igniting tensions that stir hearts and courts alike.
Level C2FantasyBubbles of the FoamJourney through an ancient Indian landscape where the Desert’s shifting mirages reflect life’s illusions and love’s fleeting ecstasies, revealing a world where reality blurs into d…
Level C2RomanceAxel Thordson and Fair Valborg: a balladIn a world of noble courts and secret loves, Sir Axel Thordson's heart is bound to Valborg, a maiden raised in cloister and courtly grace.
Level C2RomanceA rogue's tragedyAmid the ethereal Alps, two lovers find their world transformed by a transcendent passion that blurs the line between dream and reality.
Level C2RomanceAnna KareninaThe classic romance novel by Leo, graf Tolstoy.
Level C2RomanceEloisa : $b or, A series of original lettersThe classic romance novel by Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
Level C2PoetryErotica RomanaThe classic romance novel by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
Level C2ClassicsHistory of Tom Jones, a FoundlingThe classic classics novel by Henry Fielding.
Level C2ClassicsLes MisérablesThe classic historical novel by Victor Hugo.
Level C2ClassicsMiddlemarchThe classic romance novel by George Eliot.
Level C2RomanceRomeo and JulietThe classic romance novel by William Shakespeare.
Level C2ClassicsThe History of Don Quixote, Volume 1, CompleteThe classic romance novel by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra.
Level C2PoetryThe Lady of the LakeThe classic romance novel by Walter Scott.
Level C2ClassicsWar and PeaceTolstoy's sweeping epic follows five aristocratic families through the Napoleonic Wars, weaving personal drama with grand historical events to create one of literature's greatest p…