Which languages can I read An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge 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 C1 Advanced. Levels follow the Common European Framework, from A1 (beginner) to C2.

About 3,737 words: around 20 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

Zwischenfall an der Owl Creek Brücke

Ambrose Bierce

In each language: An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge · Zwischenfall an der Owl Creek Brücke · Un suceso en el puente sobre el río Owl · Ce qui se passa sur le pont de Owl Creek · Accadde al ponte di Owl Creek

A man stands on a railroad bridge in northern Alabama, his hands bound and a rope around his neck, while soldiers wait for the officer's signal. As the moment nears, a strange metallic sound troubles him, he thinks of his wife and children, and he imagines a way to escape and reach home.

In English, German, Spanish, French and Italian · about 3,700 words · 20 min to read.

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How it begins

GermanEnglish

Ein Mann stand auf einer Eisenbahnbrücke im nördlichen Alabama und blickte hinunter in das reißende Wasser zwanzig Fuß unter ihm. Die Hände des Mannes waren auf dem Rücken verschränkt, die Handgelenke mit einer Schnur gefesselt. Ein Strick umschlang eng seinen Hals.

A man stood upon a railroad bridge in northern Alabama, looking down into the swift water twenty feet below. The man’s hands were behind his back, the wrists bound with a cord. A rope closely encircled his neck.

Er war an einem kräftigen Querbalken über seinem Kopf befestigt, und das lose Ende hing bis auf Kniehöhe herab.

It was attached to a stout cross-timber above his head and the slack fell to the level of his knees.

The opening paragraphs, as the reader shows them. Read on

Languages

An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge · English (original)3,737 words · ~20 min
Zwischenfall an der Owl Creek Brücke · GermanC1 Advanced · 3,702 words · ~20 min
Un suceso en el puente sobre el río Owl · SpanishC1 Advanced · 3,782 words · ~20 min
Ce qui se passa sur le pont de Owl Creek · FrenchC1 Advanced · 3,953 words · ~20 min
Accadde al ponte di Owl Creek · ItalianC1 Advanced · 3,562 words · ~20 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 An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge 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 C1 Advanced. Levels follow the Common European Framework, from A1 (beginner) to C2.
How long is it?: About 3,737 words: around 20 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.