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 C2PoetryCactus and pine: Songs of the SouthwestImmerse yourself in the rugged spirit of the American Southwest, where vast deserts, towering peaks, and untamed trails shape the souls of pioneers and dreamers.
Level C2HistoricalBy Veldt and KopjeAmid Africa's ancient landscapes and turbulent history, a magistrate confronts the grim reality of leprosy's spread, enforcing harsh laws in a land where tradition, disease, and co…
Level C2PoetryBuds and flowers of childish lifeDelight in a charming collection of poems capturing the innocence and wonder of childhood, brought to life with vibrant illustrations that celebrate the simple joys and budding adv…
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 C2PoetryBriefless Ballads and Legal Lyrics: Second SeriesDive into a unique blend of legal history and verse, where ancient Roman litigants meet whimsical court cases and poetic reflections on justice, all unfolding through sharp, witty…
Level C2PoetryBramble BraeExplore a rich tapestry of reflections on life, loss, and nature through evocative poems that traverse personal memories, historical moments, and intimate prayers, inviting readers…
Level C2ClassicsBook of illustrations : Ancient TragedyIn the shadow of Troy's fall, a watchman anxiously awaits the signal of victory, while dark secrets and ancient curses loom over the House of Atreus.
Level C2PoetryBonnie Joann, and other poemsImmerse yourself in the vivid landscapes and heartfelt voices of Angus, where rustic tales and tender dreams unfold through evocative dialect and rich emotion.
Level C2PoetryBog-land studiesExplore haunting landscapes and poignant moments woven through Irish life, where nature and human experience intertwine in vivid, reflective poetry that captures the subtle mysteri…
Level C2PoetryBlooms of the BerryDive into a world of vivid imagery and heartfelt reflection as poems explore nature’s cycles, mythic seas, and the passage of time, capturing the delicate interplay between light a…
Level C2PoetryBitter-Sweet: A PoemAmid a fierce winter storm, a devout Puritan patriarch welcomes his gathered family for Thanksgiving Eve, weaving together faith, nature’s harshness, and the warmth of home in a po…
Level C2PoetryBirds, Beasts and Flowers: Poems by D. H. LawrenceExplore vivid poems that celebrate the natural world, from fruits and flowers to birds, beasts, and mystical creatures, capturing their essence with striking imagery and deep insig…
Level C2ClassicsBiographia Epistolaris, Volume 2: being The Biographical Supplement of Coleridge's Biographia LiterariaJourney alongside a restless poet as he sails from England to Malta, serving as a government secretary while reflecting on friendship, health, and the vivid landscapes of Gibraltar…
Level C2PoetryBeowulfIn a realm of ancient Danish kings, a monstrous terror named Grendel haunts the grand hall of Heorot, wreaking havoc and despair.
Level C2PoetryBehind the Arras: A Book of the UnseenAn introspective wanderer explores an old house filled with unseen spirits and shifting shadows, where ghostly figures and mysterious tapestries hint at secret histories and the el…
Level C2HistoricalBeggars Bush: A Comedy: From the Works of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher (Volume 2 of 10)In a war-torn Flanders, political intrigue and betrayal swirl as a usurping general seizes power, challenging loyalties and honor within a fractured court.
Level C2HistoricalBeechenbrook: A Rhyme of the WarAmid the turmoil of the Civil War, this poignant poetic tribute honors the sacrifices and enduring grief of Southern women, weaving sonnets and lays that reflect on loss, valor, an…
Level C2HistoricalBedouinsDive into the vivid world of Mary Garden, a fiercely talented and complex operatic star whose multiple personalities and indomitable spirit challenge conventions and captivate audi…
Level C2ClassicsBeaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 06 of 10In a richly woven tragicomedy set in Corinth, noble characters navigate disguise, wit, and courtly intrigue, where loyalty and deception intertwine amid political and romantic tens…
Level C2ClassicsBeaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 04 of 10Step into the intrigues of imperial Rome with senators, soldiers, and emperors clashing in a gripping tragedy, then shift to the lively comedy of Monsieur Thomas, where love, wit,…
Level C2ClassicsBeaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 02 of 10: the Humourous LieutenantAmidst courtly intrigue and sharp wit, a spirited young woman navigates the pomp and power of royal audiences and embassies, challenging the rigid hierarchy and revealing the fiery…
Level C2PoetryBay: A Book of PoemsImmerse yourself in vivid scenes where soldiers parade, towns drift to sleep, and trains rush by, capturing moments of tension, beauty, and longing as life unfolds beneath shifting…
Level C2PoetryBaudelaire: His Prose and PoetryExplore the dark beauty and haunting visions of a soul restless in its quest for meaning, love, and peace amid sin and sorrow.
Level C2PoetryBase-ball BalladsStep into the lively world of baseball through spirited poems that capture the thrills, dreams, and quirks of the game—from heroic hits and fan antics to the bittersweet fate of Mu…
Level C2PoetryBan and Arriere Ban: A Rally of Fugitive RhymesImmerse yourself in a stirring collection of fugitive rhymes that rally voices from forgotten times—ballads, odes, and poetic portraits that evoke history, romance, and legend thro…
Level C2PoetryBallads of Robin Hood and other Outlaws: Popular Ballads of the Olden Times - Fourth SeriesStep into the world beneath the Hawthorne tree, where tales of Robin Hood and legendary outlaws unfold—heroes who champion the poor, challenge authority, and embody the spirit of E…
Level C2PoetryBallads and Poems of Tragic LifeExplore haunting legends and poetic experiments that delve into faith, temptation, and heroic struggles, as ancient tales and metrical innovations bring tragic life vividly to vers…
Level C2PoetryBallades and Verses VainDive into a rich collection of ballades and verses weaving timeless themes—from ancient empires and literary fame to delicate portraits of nature and love—offering lyrical journeys…
Level C2PoetryBallades & Rhymes from Ballades in Blue China and Rhymes a la ModeExplore a rich collection of ballads and rhymes that revive an ancient French poetic form with playful wit and timeless themes, from haunting midnight forests to the whimsical char…
Level C2ClassicsAylwinCaught in a perilous ebbing tide, a man clings to life and memories of love as his loyal dog races to seek help.
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 C2PoetryAtalanta in CalydonIn a land cursed by a vengeful goddess, a fierce hunt unfolds as heroes and a remarkable maiden unite to face a devastating wild boar ravaging Calydon.
Level C2PoetryAstrophel and Other Poems: Taken from The Collected Poetical Works of Algernon Charles: Swinburne, Vol. VIExplore a rich tapestry of emotion and imagery through a collection of evocative poems that traverse themes of love, nature, loss, and remembrance, inspired by timeless landscapes…
Level C2ClassicsAs You Like ItA young gentleman, neglected and undervalued by his older brother, struggles against the constraints imposed on him and contemplates how to reclaim his dignity and rightful place.
Level C2PoetryArtemis to Actaeon, and Other VersesDive into a world where gods and mortals intertwine, exploring the fragile boundary between divine immortality and human experience through evocative verses that awaken ancient myt…
Level C2PoetryArs Amatoria; or, The Art Of Love: Literally Translated into English Prose, with Copious NotesMaster the art of love with guidance from a seasoned poet who reveals how to find, win, and keep the affection of Rome’s most captivating women, navigating desire with wit and wisd…
Level C2PoetryAround the Boree Log, and Other VersesStep into the warmth of an Australian bushfire’s glow, where memories, stories, and timeless hospitality gather around the boree log, rekindling the spirit of home, friendship, and…
Level C2PoetryArdours and Endurances; Also, A Faun's Holiday & Poems and PhantasiesExplore a profound journey through war's trials, nature's whimsy, and the depths of imagination, where poetry reveals the shared human spirit and the rhythms of thought that shape…
Level C2ClassicsArden of FevershamIn a quiet Kent town, a gentleman’s life unravels as his disloyal wife conspires with dangerous men to plot his murder.
Level C2PoetryApril twilights, and other poemsExplore a collection of evocative poems that journey through seasons, landscapes, and timeless emotions, capturing moments from tender family memories to the quiet beauty of nature…
Level C2HistoricalAppreciations, with an Essay on StyleExplore the rich distinctions and poetic possibilities within prose and poetry, as this work delves into the art of literary style and criticism, challenging traditional boundaries…
Level C2PhilosophyApologySocrates stands trial, facing accusations shaped by public opinion and caricature, yet he defies his judges with unwavering truth and irony.
Level C2PoetryApollo and Marsyas, and Other PoemsExplore a collection of evocative poems that blend myth, personal reflection, and dramatic imagery, capturing moods and moments with sincere and powerful expression.
Level C2ClassicsApocolocyntosisIn a sharp satirical journey through the afterlife, the ghost of Emperor Claudius faces judgment and cosmic comedy, revealing the absurdities of power and fate with biting wit and…
Level C2HistoricalAntony and CleopatraA mighty Roman general, once fierce in battle, now dazzled and undone by his passionate love for the Egyptian queen Cleopatra, faces the clash of duty and desire as political tides…
Level C2PoetryAntinous: A PoemEmperor Hadrian mourns the death of Antinous, his beloved youth whose beauty and love once filled his empire with passion.
Level C2PoetryAnti-Slavery Poems and Songs of Labor and Reform, Complete: Volume III of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierPassionate poems and stirring songs confront the brutal realities of slavery and celebrate the courage of those who fight for freedom and reform.
Level C2PoetryAnti-Slavery Poems 2.: Part 2 From Volume III of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierAmid rising tensions over Texas annexation and slavery, impassioned poems rally a call to freedom, urging unity and resistance against oppression.