Which languages can I read Désirée’s Baby in?

English, German, Spanish, French and Italian. Pick the language you want to read and the one to keep beside it: every paragraph sits next to its translation, so you can check a sentence without losing your place.

In translation, German, Spanish, French and Italian are B2 Intermediate. Levels follow the Common European Framework, from A1 (beginner) to C2.

About 2,145 words: around 10–15 min of reading, with the translation beside it. The time depends on the edition's level: an easier edition is read more slowly.

Yes. Read it online with no account. The e-reader files (EPUB, and AZW3 and MOBI for Kindle) need a free account; the PDF doesn't.

Can I read it on a Kindle or Kobo?

Yes. Download the EPUB for Kobo, Apple Books and most e-readers, or the AZW3 or MOBI for a Kindle, with each paragraph followed by its translation. There is also a side-by-side PDF to print, and each language on its own.

Classic

Désirées Kind

Kate Chopin

In each language: Désirée’s Baby · Désirées Kind · El bebé de Désirée · Le Bébé de Désirée · Il bambino di Désirée

Found as a toddler asleep at the gateway of the Valmondé plantation in Louisiana, Désirée grows up cherished and marries the proud Armand Aubigny. At L’Abri, his gloomy estate, their baby is born. But as the child grows, small changes spark doubts that threaten her happiness.

In English, German, Spanish, French and Italian · about 2,100 words · 10–15 min to read.

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Links · du liestRechts · als Hilfe

Du liest links auf Deutsch. Englisch steht rechts als Hilfe, und beim Lesen kannst du es mit der Augen-Taste verwischen oder ausblenden.

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So fängt es an

GermanEnglish

Da der Tag angenehm war, fuhr Madame Valmondé nach L’Abri, um Désirée und das Baby zu sehen.

As the day was pleasant, Madame Valmondé drove over to L’Abri to see Désirée and the baby.

Es brachte sie zum Lachen, an Désirée mit einem Baby zu denken.

It made her laugh to think of Désirée with a baby.

Nun, es schien erst gestern gewesen zu sein, dass Désirée selbst kaum mehr als ein Baby war; als Monsieur beim Reiten durch das Tor von Valmondé sie schlafend im Schatten des großen Steinpfeilers gefunden hatte.

Why, it seemed but yesterday that Désirée was little more than a baby herself; when Monsieur in riding through the gateway of Valmondé had found her lying asleep in the shadow of the big stone pillar.

Die ersten Absätze, so wie der Reader sie zeigt. Weiterlesen

Languages

Désirée’s Baby · English (original)2,145 words · ~10 min
Désirées Kind · GermanB2 Intermediate · 2,201 words · ~15 min
El bebé de Désirée · SpanishB2 Intermediate · 2,200 words · ~15 min
Le Bébé de Désirée · FrenchB2 Intermediate · 2,289 words · ~15 min
Il bambino di Désirée · ItalianB2 Intermediate · 2,084 words · ~15 min

Open in the reader: German with English · Spanish with English · French with English · Italian with English

Reading it as a parallel text

A parallel text puts a story next to its translation, paragraph by paragraph. Read in the language you are working on and glance across only when a sentence stops you: the story keeps moving, and the words you look up stay in context. More in how to read with a parallel text.

Questions

Which languages can I read Désirée’s Baby in?: English, German, Spanish, French and Italian. Pick the language you want to read and the one to keep beside it: every paragraph sits next to its translation, so you can check a sentence without losing your place.
What level is it?: In translation, German, Spanish, French and Italian are B2 Intermediate. Levels follow the Common European Framework, from A1 (beginner) to C2.
How long is it?: About 2,145 words: around 10–15 min of reading, with the translation beside it. The time depends on the edition's level: an easier edition is read more slowly.
Is it free?: Yes. Read it online with no account. The e-reader files (EPUB, and AZW3 and MOBI for Kindle) need a free account; the PDF doesn't.
Can I read it on a Kindle or Kobo?: Yes. Download the EPUB for Kobo, Apple Books and most e-readers, or the AZW3 or MOBI for a Kindle, with each paragraph followed by its translation. There is also a side-by-side PDF to print, and each language on its own.