CEFR C2 · Proficient
Read Proficient Classics in English (C2)
368 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.
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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 C2ClassicsMeasure for MeasureA Duke entrusts strict Angelo with his authority to govern Vienna, challenging mercy against justice in a city teetering on the edge of corruption and control.
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 C2ClassicsMark Twain's Letters — Complete (1853-1910)Explore the life and times of a legendary writer through decades of candid, insightful letters revealing his travels, literary pursuits, personal trials, and friendships from his e…
Level C2ClassicsMarcel Proust, an English TributeExplore a rich collection of reflections and critiques from English writers on Marcel Proust’s life and work, unveiling the unique charm and complexity of a literary figure whose i…
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 C2ClassicsMacbethAmid thunder and prophecy, three witches set the stage for a Scottish general whose valor in battle earns him a dark new title—igniting a tale of ambition, fate, and the deadly cos…
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 C2ClassicsLove's Labour's LostFour noblemen swear to forsake love and live in scholarly seclusion for three years, but their resolve is tested by the very passions they vow to deny in a court set to become a ha…
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 C2ClassicsLocrine: A TragedyIn a kingdom shadowed by loss and divided loyalties, a queen grapples with sorrow and silence while her son confronts the harsh truths of legacy and love.
Level C2ClassicsLocrineAs Brutus faces his final moments, he recounts a heroic journey from exile to triumph, leading loyal lords through battles and alliances that shape their destiny in a land fraught…
Level C2ClassicsLittle Rivers: A Book of Essays in Profitable IdlenessEscape the weariness of city life to wander by gentle rivers, where nature’s music and quiet streams invite reflection, friendship, and simple joys.![Cover of Little Lord Fauntleroy [abridged]: Für den Schulgebrauch bearbeitet by Frances Hodgson Burnett](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daf4oi0e1ofc73dhb9gg.webp)
Level C2Children'sLittle Lord Fauntleroy [abridged]: Für den Schulgebrauch bearbeitetA young boy named Cedric grows up unaware of his noble English heritage and the family grudges that shadow his past.
Level C2ClassicsLife of Johnson, Volume 1: 1709-1765Follow the remarkable journey of Samuel Johnson from his early studies to his rise as a towering literary figure, revealing his correspondence, conversations, and unpublished works…
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 C2ClassicsLibrary of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern — Volume 06Explore a rich collection of literary gems and historical insights, featuring voices from renowned poets, historians, and philosophers across centuries, illuminating the tapestry o…
Level C2HistoricalLibrary of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern — Volume 05Explore the lives and works of history's literary and cultural giants through curated letters, speeches, and essays spanning diverse genres and eras.
Level C2ClassicsLibrary of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern — Volume 04Dive into a vast anthology showcasing timeless works across history and genres, including poetry, essays, and speeches by renowned figures.
Level C2ClassicsLibrary of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern — Volume 03Dive into a vast treasury of timeless wisdom and storytelling, featuring reflections, fables, poems, and essays from legendary authors and thinkers across history.
Level C2ClassicsLibrary of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern — Volume 02Explore timeless wisdom and epic tales spanning cultures and centuries, from ancient Greek philosophy to Arabian Nights, through insightful essays and legendary stories that illumi…
Level C2ClassicsLetters to Severall Persons of HonourExplore a collection of eloquent, heartfelt letters addressed to noble recipients, blending spiritual reflection and personal devotion amid the backdrop of 17th-century London’s st…
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 C2PhilosophyL. Annaeus Seneca on BenefitsExplore the art of giving, receiving, and repaying kindness through the moral philosophy of a Roman thinker whose insights shaped early Christian and classical thought.
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 C2HistoricalKing Richard IIIIn a kingdom basking in newfound peace, a deformed and cunning duke plots to seize power through deceit and treachery, setting sibling against sibling in a deadly game of ambition…
Level C2HistoricalKing Richard IIPower struggles ignite as King Richard II confronts accusations of treason between nobles, setting the stage for a fierce clash of loyalty, honor, and wrath in a kingdom on the bri…
Level C2ClassicsKing LearA aging king decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters, sparking a tense battle for power and loyalty that will unravel family bonds and ignite a tragic struggle for…
Level C2HistoricalKing JohnA royal dispute erupts as King John faces a bold claim from France over his kingdom and territories, threatening war and forcing him to defend his crown against his nephew Arthur’s…