Which languages can I read The Story of an Hour 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 1,022 words: around 5 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

Die Geschichte einer Stunde

Kate Chopin

In each language: The Story of an Hour · Die Geschichte einer Stunde · La historia de una hora · L’Histoire d’une heure · La storia di un’ora

Told as gently as possible that her husband has died in a railroad disaster, a woman with a weak heart weeps wildly, then withdraws alone to her room, to an armchair by the open window. As she sits there, something strange begins creeping toward her, too subtle and elusive to name.

In English, German, Spanish, French and Italian · about 1,000 words · 5 min to read.

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You read German on the left. English is on the right to help you, and while reading, the eye button blurs or hides it.

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Each paragraph followed by its English for your e-reader or tablet, or a side-by-side PDF to print. Which file do I need?

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How it begins

GermanEnglish

Da man wusste, dass Mrs. Mallard an einem Herzleiden litt, wurde mit größter Vorsicht vorgegangen, um ihr die Nachricht vom Tod ihres Mannes so schonend wie möglich beizubringen.

Knowing that Mrs. Mallard was afflicted with a heart trouble, great care was taken to break to her as gently as possible the news of her husband's death.

Es war ihre Schwester Josephine, die es ihr in abgebrochenen Sätzen mitteilte; mit verschleierten Andeutungen, die im Halbverhüllen enthüllten. Auch Richards, der Freund ihres Mannes, war bei ihr.

It was her sister Josephine who told her, in broken sentences; veiled hints that revealed in half concealing. Her husband's friend Richards was there, too, near her.

Er war es gewesen, der sich im Zeitungsbüro aufgehalten hatte, als die Nachricht von dem Eisenbahnunglück einging, bei dem Brently Mallards Name die Liste der „Getöteten“ anführte.

It was he who had been in the newspaper office when intelligence of the railroad disaster was received, with Brently Mallard's name leading the list of "killed."

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

Languages

The Story of an Hour · English (original)1,022 words · ~5 min
Die Geschichte einer Stunde · GermanB2 Intermediate · 974 words · ~5 min
La historia de una hora · SpanishB2 Intermediate · 1,015 words · ~5 min
L’Histoire d’une heure · FrenchB2 Intermediate · 1,044 words · ~5 min
La storia di un’ora · ItalianB2 Intermediate · 975 words · ~5 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 The Story of an Hour 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 1,022 words: around 5 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.