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Read The Damned Thing: 1898, From "In the Midst of Life" in English, with German beside it
by Ambrose Bierce · 1842–1913
"The Damned Thing" by Ambrose Bierce is a horror short story written in 1893. When Hugh Morgan is found dead in his cabin, an inquest reveals a disturbing account from his companion: Morgan appeared to struggle violently with something no one else could see. Morgan's diary entries suggest he was tracking an invisible creature—something he called "that damned thing." Bierce explores the terrifying possibility that certain beings might possess colors beyond human perception, blending horror with early science fiction.
Summary generated automatically by Project Gutenberg.
- Read time
- 15 min
- Words
- 3,259
- Chapters
- 1
- Paragraphs
- 77
- Price
- Free
- Horror tales
- Short stories
"That," replied the other, rather hotly and with a visible flush, "is as you choose.
„Das“, erwiderte der andere, ziemlich hitzig und mit einer sichtbaren Erröten, „ist, wie Sie es wählen.
I used manifold paper and have a copy of what I sent.
Ich habe vielseitiges Papier verwendet und habe eine Kopie dessen, was ich gesandt habe.
It was not written as news, for it is incredible, but as fiction.
Es war nicht als Nachricht geschrieben, denn es ist unglaublich, sondern als Fiktion.
It may go as a part of my testimony under oath."
Es kann als Teil meiner Aussage unter Eid dienen.“
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Questions about The Damned Thing: 1898, From "In the Midst of Life"
Can I read The Damned Thing: 1898, From "In the Midst of Life" 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 The Damned Thing: 1898, From "In the Midst of Life" here?
There is no set level. The Damned Thing: 1898, From "In the Midst of Life" runs to 3,259 words, 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 The Damned Thing: 1898, From "In the Midst of Life" 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 The Damned Thing: 1898, From "In the Midst of Life" in another language?
Yes. It is also published in Spanish, Italian, and switching keeps your place, because both columns share one paragraph numbering.
How long does The Damned Thing: 1898, From "In the Midst of Life" take to read?
About 15 min 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 #23172
- Licence
- Public domain worldwide
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