Which languages can I read Briar Rose 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 B1 Intermediate. Levels follow the Common European Framework, from A1 (beginner) to C2.

About 1,512 words: around 10 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

Dornröschen

Brothers Grimm

In each language: Briar Rose · Dornröschen · La bella durmiente · La Belle au bois dormant · Rosaspina

After many childless years, a king and queen have a beautiful daughter and hold a great feast. They invite twelve of the kingdom’s thirteen fairies, having only twelve golden dishes. The thirteenth, left out, arrives uninvited and furious, bringing a curse for the princess.

In English, German, Spanish, French and Italian · about 1,500 words · 10 min to read.

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How it begins

GermanEnglish

Es war einmal ein König und eine Königin, die regierten in einem weit entfernten Land, wo es zu jener Zeit noch Feen gab.

A king and queen once upon a time reigned in a country a great way off, where there were in those days fairies.

Nun hatten dieser König und diese Königin genug Geld, genug feine Kleider zum Anziehen, genug Gutes zu essen und zu trinken und eine Kutsche, um jeden Tag auszufahren: Aber obwohl sie schon viele Jahre verheiratet waren, hatten sie keine Kinder, und das betrübte sie sehr.

Now this king and queen had plenty of money, and plenty of fine clothes to wear, and plenty of good things to eat and drink, and a coach to ride out in every day: but though they had been married many years they had no children, and this grieved them very much indeed.

Doch eines Tages, als die Königin am Ufer des Flusses am Ende des Gartens spazieren ging, sah sie einen armen kleinen Fisch, der sich aus dem Wasser geworfen hatte und keuchend und fast tot am Ufer lag.

But one day as the queen was walking by the side of the river, at the bottom of the garden, she saw a poor little fish, that had thrown itself out of the water, and lay gasping and nearly dead on the bank.

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

Languages

Briar Rose · English (original)1,512 words · ~10 min
Dornröschen · GermanB1 Intermediate · 1,421 words · ~10 min
La bella durmiente · SpanishB1 Intermediate · 1,437 words · ~10 min
La Belle au bois dormant · FrenchB1 Intermediate · 1,494 words · ~10 min
Rosaspina · ItalianB1 Intermediate · 1,395 words · ~10 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 Briar Rose 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 B1 Intermediate. Levels follow the Common European Framework, from A1 (beginner) to C2.
How long is it?: About 1,512 words: around 10 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.