The Novel on the Tram
Read this book freeEvery sentence translated, natural audio, one-tap dictionary
English books for B2 level (upper intermediate) · Novels in English for learners, with translation · Short English books to read with translation
The Novel on the Tram is a short story by Benito Pérez Galdós that satirizes the popular serialized novels of the time. The narrator, while riding a tram in Madrid, becomes absorbed in a novel he is reading and imagines himself as a character in a melodramatic plot. The story blends reality and fiction, offering a humorous critique of literary escapism. Its concise length and witty narrative make it an excellent choice for learners to practice reading with humor.
Learn English with The Novel on the Tram
- Suits learners around level B2: you read the original, not a simplified retelling.
- Who it suits: a short but demanding text (B2), for readers at B2 and above, or any level with the translation shown.
- 2,066 distinct words, each one a tap away from your personal vocabulary list.
- Translation into Russian, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Japanese, Chinese, Turkish or Arabic, aligned to every sentence, shown under the text or beside it.
- Read-aloud audio for every chapter, with the current sentence highlighted as it is read.
- Read in English, glance at the translation under any sentence you are unsure of, and listen to natural read-aloud voices to train your ear.
How it works
- Open the book: no installation, it reads in the browser on any device.
- Read a sentence in English. Its translation sits right under it, so you never lose the thread.
- Tap a word for its meaning and save it; listen to the chapter read aloud.
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Questions about this book
Can I read The Novel on the Tram in English for free?
Yes. The first chapters of The Novel on the Tram open without an account, with the translation, audio and dictionary included. A free account unlocks the rest of the book.
How much English do I need?
The text is estimated at level B2. Because every sentence has its translation underneath, lower levels can follow along too.
Is there audio?
Yes. Each chapter can be read aloud by a natural-sounding voice while the current sentence is highlighted.
Is The Novel on the Tram available in Russian?
Yes. On Booklern the English text of The Novel on the Tram is shown with its Russian translation under every sentence, so you read the original and check the Russian whenever you need to.
Is The Novel on the Tram available in Spanish?
Yes. On Booklern the English text of The Novel on the Tram is shown with its Spanish translation under every sentence, so you read the original and check the Spanish whenever you need to.
Is The Novel on the Tram available in Brazilian Portuguese?
Yes. On Booklern the English text of The Novel on the Tram is shown with its Brazilian Portuguese translation under every sentence, so you read the original and check the Brazilian Portuguese whenever you need to.
Is The Novel on the Tram available in Japanese?
Yes. On Booklern the English text of The Novel on the Tram is shown with its Japanese translation under every sentence, so you read the original and check the Japanese whenever you need to.
Is The Novel on the Tram available in Chinese?
Yes. On Booklern the English text of The Novel on the Tram is shown with its Chinese translation under every sentence, so you read the original and check the Chinese whenever you need to.
Is The Novel on the Tram available in Turkish?
Yes. On Booklern the English text of The Novel on the Tram is shown with its Turkish translation under every sentence, so you read the original and check the Turkish whenever you need to.
Is The Novel on the Tram available in Arabic?
Yes. On Booklern the English text of The Novel on the Tram is shown with its Arabic translation under every sentence, so you read the original and check the Arabic whenever you need to.
Can I download The Novel on the Tram as a PDF or EPUB?
Not from Booklern: the book is read online, in the browser, with nothing to download or install. Your place in the book is saved to your account.
