CEFR C2 · Proficient
Read Proficient Classics in English (C2)
605 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 Book-Bills of Narcissus: An Account Rendered by Richard Le Gallienne, The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night — Volume 01 (of 10) and The Book of Three Hundred Anecdotes: Historical, Literary, and Humorous—A New Selection. 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 C2HistoricalKing Henry VI, Part 1As England mourns the death of the valiant King Henry V, power struggles ignite among nobles and factions vie for control, setting the stage for a turbulent reign filled with war,…
Level C2HistoricalKing Henry VA kingdom’s fate hangs on the brink as bishops debate a bill threatening the Church’s lands, while a prologue invites you to imagine the thunderous clash of Henry V’s campaign in F…
Level C2HistoricalKing Henry IV, Part 2In a kingdom restless with rebellion and rumor, the shadow of war looms as King Henry IV battles to secure his throne, while whispers of betrayal and shifting loyalties threaten to…
Level C2HistoricalKing Henry IV, Part 1As King Henry IV grapples with uneasy peace and brewing civil strife, noble factions prepare for war while a bold rebellion rises in Wales, threatening the fragile realm and testin…
Level C2HistoricalKing Edward IIIAmidst claims of royal blood and disputed thrones, a resolute King Edward III confronts French defiance to assert his inheritance and ignite a fierce struggle for sovereignty and h…
Level C2PoetryKathrina—A PoemA lyrical tribute to womanhood unfolds through vivid memories of childhood, love, and loss, tracing a soul’s journey from innocent hope to profound despair amid the beauty and tria…
Level C2HistoricalJulius CaesarAmidst Rome’s bustling streets, tensions rise as commoners debate Caesar’s triumph and the fading loyalty to Pompey, setting the stage for political intrigue and the clash of power…
Level C2PoetryJourneys Through Bookland, Vol. 4Explore timeless poems and stirring stories that celebrate simple joys, noble character, and heroic deeds, weaving history, nature, and human spirit into a rich tapestry of verse a…
Level C2PoetryJohn Marr and Other PoemsAmidst the vast, stormy seas, sailors' voices from a bygone era rise again, evoking memories of camaraderie, duty, and the relentless challenges of life at sea.
Level C2HistoricalJoe Wilson and His MatesIn the rugged Australian bush, Joe Wilson and his mates navigate the harsh realities of life, love, and friendship amid tough seasons and timeless challenges.
Level C2PoetryJinglesExplore a heartfelt collection of poems that capture the nuances of parting and the emotions woven into farewells, inviting reflection on life's transitions and the echoes they lea…
Level C2HistoricalJerusalem DeliveredAs Christian knights unite under Godfrey's command to reclaim Jerusalem, divine forces and earthly valor collide in a soaring tale of faith, warfare, and sacred duty amid the Crusa…
Level C2HistoricalIvory, Apes and PeacocksExplore the vivid, poetic world of a Polish sailor turned English novelist who reveals the mysteries of the sea and the depths of the human soul through richly imagined tales of ad…
Level C2FantasyIstar of Babylon: A PhantasyA young Greek rhapsode, inspired by tales of the living goddess Istar of Babylon, embarks on a profound journey from Sicily to the ancient city itself, seeking to witness and worsh…
Level C2ClassicsIphigenia in TaurisIn a sacred grove before Diana's temple, Iphigenia serves as a priestess far from home, while Orestes and his loyal friend Pylades arrive, setting the stage for a dramatic reunion…
Level C2PoetryIonicaExplore a collection of 85 poems blending classical scholarship with personal reflection, tracing a scholar's journey from boyhood to intellectual maturity amidst themes of home, r…
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…