"Dad," I said, on Sunday morning, in the kitchen. "Walter said I should ask you about that winter. All of it. So I'm asking."
How it begins
"Dad," I said, on Sunday morning, in the kitchen. "Walter said I should ask you about that winter. All of it. So I'm asking."
„Papa", sagte ich, am Sonntagmorgen in der Küche. „Walter hat gesagt, ich soll dich nach diesem Winter fragen. Nach allem. Also frage ich."
My father was cutting bread. The market had opened the night before, and he had stood at the fire until two in the morning, and his eyes were red from the smoke. He cut two more slices, very evenly, before he answered.
Mein Vater schnitt Brot. Der Markt hatte am Abend davor geöffnet, er hatte bis zwei Uhr nachts am Feuer gestanden, und seine Augen waren rot vom Rauch. Er schnitt noch zwei Scheiben, ganz gleichmäßig, bevor er antwortete.
"After Christmas," he said.
„Nach Weihnachten", sagte er.
Languages
- North Side · English (original)B2 Intermediate · 2,381 words · ~15 min · Audio
- Die Nordseite · GermanB2 Intermediate · 2,305 words · ~15 min · Audio
- El lado norte · SpanishB2 Intermediate · 2,267 words · ~15 min · Audio
- Le côté nord · FrenchB2 Intermediate · 2,650 words · ~20 min · Audio
German with English · Spanish with English · French with English · English with German · English with Spanish · English with French · German with Spanish · German with French · Spanish with German · Spanish with French · French with German · French with Spanish
Questions
Which languages can I read North Side in?
English, German, Spanish and French. 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?
The original English is B2 Intermediate. In translation, German, Spanish and French are B2 Intermediate. Levels follow the Common European Framework, from Pre-A1 (starter) to C2.
How long is it?
About 2,381 words: around 15–20 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 downloads (PDF, EPUB, and AZW3 and MOBI for Kindle) need a free account.
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.