CEFR C2 · Proficient
Read Proficient Classics in English (C2)
973 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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Level C2PoetryIoläus: The man that was a ghostExplore a haunting collection of sonnets and poems that weave vivid imagery, spiritual reflection, and powerful symbolism, evoking the spirit of a new century through a rich tapest…
Level C2PoetryInebriety and The CandidateExplore the intoxicating power of drink as it weaves through society’s ranks, from rustic jesters to noble halls, revealing both the folly and frenzy that sway reason and ignite fi…
Level C2PoetryIndian and Other TalesJourney through vivid landscapes and tender lives, from mystical forests and tropical seas to the struggles of a devoted mother and the harsh realities faced by weary bullocks, all…
Level C2PoetryIndian Poetry: Containing "The Indian Song of Songs," from the Sanskrit of the Gîta Govinda of Jayadeva, Two books from "The Iliad Of India" (Mahábhárata), "Proverbial Wisdom" from the Shlokas of the Hitopadesa, and other Oriental Poems.Explore the rich tapestry of ancient Indian culture through sacred songs, epic tales from the Mahábhárata, and timeless proverbs that reveal the spiritual and social essence of a c…
Level C2PoetryIn Various Moods: Poems and VersesExplore a rich tapestry of poems that celebrate the spirit of learning, the power of faith, and humanity’s relentless quest for progress, weaving together history, hope, and timele…
Level C2PoetryIn The Seven Woods: Being Poems Chiefly of the Irish Heroic AgeAmid the ancient whispers of the Seven Woods, a weary queen awakens to a mysterious summons from a shadowy king, stirring forgotten powers and stirring a timeless struggle woven wi…
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 C2ClassicsI, Mary MacLane: A Diary of Human DaysA fiercely introspective diary delves into the restless mind of a woman confronting her complex, contradictory self amid solitude and societal estrangement.
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 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 C2ClassicsHousehold Gods: A ComedyA Roman nobleman's love fades into mystery as his wife retreats into the wild woods, where ancient gods and forbidden desires stir beneath the moonlight.
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 C2PhilosophyHomer and Classical PhilologyExplore the complex world of Classical Philology, where history, science, and aesthetics collide in the quest to uncover the enduring ideals of antiquity amidst modern skepticism a…
Level C2Children'sHistoire du chien de Brisquet / The Story of Brisquet's DogIn a snowy forest plagued by wolves, a devoted dog named Bichonne bravely guards a poor woodcutter’s family, risking everything to protect their two young children from lurking dan…
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 C2ClassicsHermione and Her Little Group of Serious ThinkersStep into a quirky salon where a vibrant cast of artists, mystics, and thinkers gather to debate art, society, and the soul, while Hermione seeks sincerity and meaning by transform…
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 C2PhilosophyHerder's conception of "das Volk"Explore the rich historical and linguistic roots of the German term "Volk," tracing its evolution from ancient Germanic languages to its broader cultural and philosophical meanings…
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 C2HistoricalHeimskringla; Or, The Chronicle of the Kings of NorwayJourney through the Viking Age with sagas of Norway’s kings, from Halfdan the Black to Magnus Erlingson, revealing battles, alliances, and the clash of pagan and Christian worlds.
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 C2ClassicsHamletOn a cold, restless night, sentinels encounter a ghostly apparition resembling the deceased king, stirring fear and curiosity.
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 C2ClassicsGurre Kamilaroi,: or, Kamilaroi Sayings (1856)Explore the rich Kamilaroi language and wisdom through sacred sayings and teachings, revealing the spiritual and cultural heritage of an ancient people as conveyed by a devoted mis…
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 C2HistoricalGreek tragedyExplore the origins and evolution of Greek tragedy, tracing its roots in Dionysian rituals and the innovations that shaped dramatic structure and lyrical form, revealing the soul o…
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 C2PhilosophyGiordano BrunoOn Pentecost in a Paris dominated by Italian influence, a young Dominican monk challenges orthodox beliefs with radical ideas about the Spirit’s freedom and the unity of the visibl…
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…