Science Fiction
Read Science Fiction Classics in English
254 science fiction books at CEFR A2 to C2 — learn English by reading the stories worth reading. Select any word for an instant translation, listen to the narration read the page aloud, and save the vocabulary you meet. Pick your level and start with a free sample.
What are the best science fiction classics to read in English as a learner?
The best science fiction classics for English learners are the well-known titles you can read in the original — start with Zero Data, Zeritsky's Law and Zarlah the Martian. Each one is labelled with a CEFR level, any word you do not know is one selection away from a translation, and the narration reads the page aloud while it highlights the words.
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Level C1MysteryZero DataA relentless cop hunts the untouchable tycoon Lonnie Raichi, whose flawless alibis and mysterious "zero data" leave no trace of guilt despite a trail of high-profile crimes.
Level C1Science FictionZarlah the MartianA scientist's routine experiments lead to the creation of an extraordinary film that unexpectedly reveals a glowing shadowy figure—sparking a startling discovery that could revolut…
Level C1Science FictionYesterday's RevengeIn a world scarred by endless war and ruled by a ruthless dictator controlling powerful robots, a new invention— the Time Visor— promises a chance to challenge the Master’s iron gr…
Level C1Science FictionWith the Night Mail: A Story of 2000 A.D.: (Together with extracts from the comtemporary magazine in which it appeared)Soar through a stormy night in the year 2000 aboard Postal Packet 162, a futuristic airship navigating the skies with precision and power.
Level C1Science FictionWith a VengeanceIn a future where a common man seizes absolute power as First Imperator of Terra, old alliances shatter and traditions crumble under his unpredictable rule.
Level C1Science FictionWhen the World Shook: Being an Account of the Great Adventure of Bastin, Bickley and ArbuthnotThree men embark on a thrilling adventure that challenges the very fabric of reality, as ancient mysteries and spiritual insights collide with the modern world in a quest that coul…
Level C1Science FictionWhen the Sleepers WokeIn a future where colossal aerial fleets clash above New York, a lone pilot braces for a devastating battle that will decide the fate of the city—and perhaps the world itself.
Level C1Science FictionWhen the Sleeper WakesA man tormented by relentless insomnia wanders a rugged coastline, haunted by despair and a mind racing toward madness.
Level C1Science FictionWhen I Grow UpIn a futuristic university where two rival schools debate whether heredity or environment shapes a child’s destiny, the arrival of little Herbux challenges everything they believe…
Level C1Science FictionUnveiling a Parallel: A RomanceA lone explorer arrives on Mars, greeted by a graceful, highly cultured society whose beauty and hospitality unlock new depths of wonder and emotion.
Level C1Science FictionTwelve Stories and a DreamA brilliant but overlooked scientist races against time and rivals to perfect a revolutionary flying machine that promises to change warfare and human life forever.
Level C1Science FictionTopsy-TurvyA bold scientific venture sets out to auction the Arctic regions, driven by dreams of coal mines beneath the North Pole, while debates on gender and genius spark amid this extraord…
Level C1Science FictionTono-BungayA man born into fortune rides the dazzling rise and fall of a dazzling financial empire, navigating the intrigues of British society from shabby kitchens to aristocratic drawing ro…
Level C1Science FictionTo Mars via the Moon: An Astronomical StoryJourney through space as a daring voyage to Mars unfolds via the Moon, blending scientific facts with imaginative storytelling to explore the unknown.
Level C1Science FictionThrough the sun in an airshipIn a vivid future where nature thrives untouched and airships drift gently above, two friends explore the mysteries of their age—questioning progress and the loss of simple pleasur…
Level C1Science FictionThrelkeld's DaughterTransformed into a captivating human form, a space captain’s daughter struggles to suppress newfound emotions as she embarks on a crucial mission: to lure an Earthling and secure h…
Level C1Science FictionTheodore Savage: A Story of the Past or the FutureTheodore Savage reflects on a life shaped by comfort and routine, unaware of the upheavals to come.
Level C1Science FictionThe warlord of MarsBeneath Mars' twin moons, a warrior stalks the shadows to save the princess imprisoned deep within the Temple of the Sun, while political upheaval and savage battles shape the fate…
Level C1Science FictionThe war of the worldsAs Earth unknowingly thrives, distant Martian intellects face a dying world and plot a desperate invasion, viewing humanity as mere animals in a cosmic struggle for survival.
Level C1Science FictionThe vertigo hookIn a world where time twists beyond a single dimension, a brilliant mathematician and his team face a secret mission to engineer a groundbreaking rocket nozzle, navigating the tang…
Level C1MysteryThe strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. HydeA reserved lawyer investigates a sinister door linked to a chilling tale of a ruthless man trampling a child in a quiet London street, unveiling dark secrets lurking beneath the ci…
Level C1Science FictionThe storm of London: a social rhapsodyIn a London where clothes vanish, society is stripped to its barest form, revealing the raw chaos and hidden truths beneath.
Level C1Science FictionThe secret of the islandStranded on a mysterious island for years, a group of castaways faces an unexpected arrival that could change their fate.
Level C1Science FictionThe professor's experiment: A novel, Vol. 3 (of 3)As twilight falls, Susan and Crosby’s conversation reveals a web of admiration and unspoken feelings, set against the backdrop of a mysterious experiment that promises to challenge…
Level C1Science FictionThe professor's experiment: A novel, Vol. 2 (of 3)A young woman haunted by mysterious origins confides in a trusted companion, unraveling secrets that challenge her identity and purpose.
Level C1Science FictionThe professor's experiment: A novel, Vol. 1 (of 3)A brilliant professor becomes consumed by a groundbreaking scientific discovery, sparking intense discussions with his former pupil, a rising barrister caught between loyalty and a…
Level C1Science FictionThe people of the ruinsAwakening to an eerily silent flat and a day that feels strangely off, Jeremy Tuft faces the unsettling aftermath of a brewing English revolution.
Level C1Science FictionThe mummy and Miss Nitocris : a phantasy of the fourth dimensionA brilliant mathematician’s daughter encounters a mysterious mummy that resembles her, igniting a journey beyond three-dimensional space into the enigmatic realm of the fourth dime…
Level C1Science FictionThe moon hoaxA breathtaking revelation unfolds as vivid images of the Moon’s lush landscapes and its human inhabitants emerge through a powerful telescope, inviting readers to explore a mesmeri…
Level C1Science FictionThe master mind of MarsA wounded soldier prays to Mars and is miraculously transported to a strange new world, where he awakens amid alien beings and unknown dangers.
Level C1Science FictionThe man with the broken earA young engineer returns home wealthy from the Ural mines to a warm welcome—and a cutting-edge laboratory built by his father.
Level C1Science FictionThe island of anarchy: A fragment of history in the 20th centuryIn a future England, a youthful government seizes control to restore order by enforcing harsh justice and reshaping society, confronting criminals and anarchists with ruthless seve…
Level C1Science FictionThe island of Doctor MoreauStranded after a shipwreck, a lone survivor drifts for days before uncovering a mysterious island where unnatural experiments blur the lines between man and beast.
Level C1Science FictionThe iron heelIn a world teetering between revolution and oppression, a fierce battle unfolds against the rise of a ruthless oligarchy known as the Iron Heel.
Level C1Science FictionThe inner houseA groundbreaking discovery promises to reshape humanity’s future, stirring global anticipation and speculation—from artificial food to instantaneous travel or unprecedented power.
Level C1Science FictionThe great white way;: a record of an unusual voyage of discovery, and some romantic love affairs amid strange surroundingsA young dreamer with a seafaring legacy sets out on a daring expedition to the South Pole, convinced of a hidden, fertile land beyond the icy barrier.
Level C1Science FictionThe first American KingIn a serene Long Island sanatorium, the nation’s top crime detective seeks renewal, but beneath the peaceful retreat, secrets and mysteries simmer that could reshape America’s futu…
Level C1Science FictionThe dream: A novelA chemist and his companion escape to serene lakes, where music and mysterious mountain climbers stir dreams of ancient emotions and unexplored possibilities.
Level C1Science FictionThe coming of the AmazonsIn a near future where scientific speculation blurs the line between life and death, a biologist’s daring experiments with hypnotic catalepsy and prolonged freezing hint at revolut…
Level C1Science FictionThe colour out of spaceA remote New England valley harbors an eerie, lifeless patch of land known as the blasted heath, where no vegetation grows and an unsettling silence prevails.
Level C1Science FictionThe Young Diana: An Experiment of the FutureIn a world where life’s meaning is a constant puzzle, Diana May embarks on a profound journey of self-discovery and wonder, challenging the boundaries of science, psychology, and e…
Level C1Science FictionThe World Set FreeIn a future shadowed by war and atomic discovery, nations face the collapse of old sovereignties as scientific advances challenge the world's political order, pushing humanity towa…
Level C1Science FictionThe World Peril of 1910In a rugged Irish coastal town, an ingenious engineer designs a revolutionary craft that defies sea and air, rooted in a mysterious Spanish heritage and fueled by a fierce love for…
Level C1Science FictionThe WonderA mysterious infant with a strangely intelligent gaze captivates passengers on a train, drawing the attention of a skeptical journalist lost in philosophical study.
Level C1Science FictionThe Woman Who Vowed (The Demetrian)Awakening dazed in a strange land where ancient Greek dress is the norm, a man encounters a mysterious woman who challenges his understanding of time and place.
Level C1Science FictionThe Wolf's Long HowlA once prosperous man faces the crushing reality of poverty and social isolation, as his world crumbles under financial ruin and fading friendships.
Level C1Science FictionThe White Feather HexIn the misty hills of Pennsylvania, a weathered farmer bound by ancestral superstitions faces an eerie visitor claiming to be a scholar of German history—an encounter that threaten…
Level C1Science FictionThe War of the WenusesInvisible women from the scorching planet Wenus launch a cosmic campaign to claim Earth's fashion and dominion, challenging human complacency with their dazzling eyes and insatiabl…