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Read Changeling, and Other Stories in English, with German beside it
by Donn Byrne · 1889–1928
"Changeling and Other Stories" by Donn Byrne is a collection of short stories written in the early 20th century. The title story, "Changeling," introduces readers to Anna Janssen, a chorus girl on trial for the murder of her former lover, Alastair de Vries, as the courtroom drama unfolds with a backdrop of public scrutiny and personal transformation. The collection blends themes of crime, justice, and human relationships, and it appears to delve into deeper issues of identity and redemption. The opening of "Changeling" establishes a tense courtroom atmosphere where the prosecution builds its case against Anna Janssen, who appears both striking and enigmatic. As the district attorney presents evidence and witnesses testify, the complexities of Anna's character come to light. A vivid description contrasts her present legal predicament with her passionate past as an influential figure in New York’s nightlife. The narrative shifts to her defense, led by the skilled Howard Donegan, who seems disinterested in cross-examining witnesses, prompting concern for Anna’s fate. This setup foreshadows a rich exploration of her story and the moral dilemmas surrounding her actions, setting a compelling stage for the ensuing drama.
Summary generated automatically by Project Gutenberg.
- Read time
- 421 min
- Words
- 92,688
- Chapters
- 31
- Paragraphs
- 2,375
- Price
- Free
- Ireland -- Social life and customs -- Fiction
- Short stories, Irish
"Gentlemen," he began, "the case for the people rests and the counsel for the prisoner rests his case also.
„Meine Herren“, begann er, „die Anklage schließt ihre Verhandlung, und der Anwalt des Angeklagten schließt ebenfalls seine Verhandlung.
It has now arrived to make a decision.
Nun ist es an der Zeit, eine Entscheidung zu treffen.
"You jurymen have only one duty to perform, and a bounden duty it is.
„Sie Geschworenen haben nur eine Pflicht zu erfüllen, und es ist eine unbedingte Pflicht.
You have got to decide one fact.
Sie müssen eine Tatsache entscheiden.
Did Anna Janssen kill Alastair de Vries?
Hat Anna Janssen Alastair de Vries getötet?
"Were Anna Janssen before you, the lowest of the low, gutter-soiled, evil, a menace to the community, and did not kill De Vries,
„Wäre Anna Janssen vor Ihnen, die Geringste der Geringen, im Dreck der Gassen verschmutzt, böse, eine Gefahr für die Gemeinschaft, und hätte sie De Vries nicht getötet,
then you would have to bring in a verdict of 'not guilty,' no matter how much enmity you felt to her.
dann müssten Sie ein Urteil von ‚nicht schuldig‘ fällen, egal wie viel Feindseligkeit Sie ihr entgegenbrachten.
No matter what she is before you now, no matter what sympathy you feel for her, you must bring in a verdict of 'guilty' if you are certain she killed De Vries.
Egal, was sie vor Ihnen jetzt ist, egal wie viel Sympathie Sie für sie empfinden, Sie müssen ein Urteil von ‚schuldig‘ fällen, wenn Sie sicher sind, dass sie De Vries getötet hat.
"Now, gentlemen, there can be no reasonable doubt of this.
„Nun, meine Herren, daran kann kein vernünftiger Zweifel bestehen.
Even the prisoner herself admits it.
Selbst die Angeklagte räumt es ein.
So I must instruct you to bring in a verdict of guilty."
Daher muss ich Sie anweisen, ein Urteil von ‚schuldig‘ zu fällen.“
The jury looked at one another, amazed, a little scared.
Die Geschworenen blickten sich an, erstaunt, ein wenig erschrocken.
They turned to the foreman, a fine, florid personage, with a fan-shaped red beard, a man who ought to be equal to every occasion, so it seemed.
Sie wandten sich an den Vorsitzenden, eine stattliche, blühende Persönlichkeit mit einem fächerförmigen roten Bart, einen Mann, der für jede Situation gewappnet zu sein schien, so zumindest.
They turned to him as a sheep turns to a bellwether.
Sie wandten sich an ihn, wie ein Schaf sich zu einem Widder wendet.
He rose to his feet.
Er erhob sich.
About the author
Donn Byrne1889–1928
Donn Byrne, born Brian Oswald Patrick Donn-Byrne in New York City in 1889, was an Irish writer and poet who spent much of his life in Ireland.
The Donn Byrne page, and where to start →Read it in another language
Questions about Changeling, and Other Stories
Can I read Changeling, and Other Stories in English with German side by side online?
Yes, free. Paralelo shows the English original with a German machine translation beside it, aligned phrase by phrase: hover or tap a phrase and its counterpart lights up in the other column. Anyone can read a passage; a free account opens the whole book.
What level do I need to read Changeling, and Other Stories here?
There is no set level. Changeling, and Other Stories runs to 92,688 words in 31 chapters, and the translation sits beside it, aligned phrase by phrase, so you can start below the level the original would need on its own and lean on the translation only where you stumble.
Is Changeling, and Other Stories really free to read?
Yes. The text is in the public domain, and the translation and alignment are ours to give. A free account opens the whole book; the paid tier is for unlimited explanations.
Can I read Changeling, and Other Stories in another language?
Yes. It is also published in Spanish, and switching keeps your place, because both columns share one paragraph numbering.
How long does Changeling, and Other Stories take to read?
About 7 hours at a normal pace, longer if you stop to look at the alignment, which is rather the point.
Book details
- Original language
- English
- Translation
- German, machine translation
- Source text
- Project Gutenberg #59892
- Licence
- Public domain worldwide
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