Which languages can I read Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment 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 3,678 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

Dr. Heideggers Experiment

Nathaniel Hawthorne

In each language: Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment · Dr. Heideggers Experiment · El experimento del doctor Heidegger · L’Expérience du docteur Heidegger · L’esperimento del dottor Heidegger

An eccentric old doctor invites four aging friends, each unfortunate in life, to his study for a strange experiment involving water from a legendary fountain. As they grow younger before their own eyes, old rivalries and desires come rushing back.

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

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How it begins

GermanEnglish

Jener höchst sonderbare Mann, der alte Dr. Heidegger, lud einst vier ehrwürdige Freunde zu sich in sein Arbeitszimmer ein.

That very singular man, old Dr. Heidegger, once invited four venerable friends to meet him in his study.

Es waren drei weißbärtige Herren, Mr. Medbourne, Colonel Killigrew und Mr. Gascoigne, sowie eine verwelkte Dame, die auf den Namen Witwe Wycherly hörte.

There were three white-bearded gentlemen, Mr. Medbourne, Colonel Killigrew, and Mr. Gascoigne, and a withered gentlewoman, whose name was the Widow Wycherly.

Sie alle waren melancholische alte Geschöpfe, die im Leben vom Unglück verfolgt worden waren und deren größtes Unglück darin bestand, dass sie nicht schon längst im Grabe lagen.

They were all melancholy old creatures, who had been unfortunate in life, and whose greatest misfortune it was that they were not long ago in their graves.

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Languages

Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment · English (original)3,678 words · ~20 min
Dr. Heideggers Experiment · GermanC1 Advanced · 3,660 words · ~20 min
El experimento del doctor Heidegger · SpanishC1 Advanced · 3,834 words · ~20 min
L’Expérience du docteur Heidegger · FrenchC1 Advanced · 3,938 words · ~20 min
L’esperimento del dottor Heidegger · ItalianC1 Advanced · 3,599 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 Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment 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 3,678 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.