Parallel texts – short stories in French, Spanish, Italian and German

These Penguin parallel texts are a great way to get into modern foreign literature, brush up your reading skills in your favourite language and improve your vocabulary.

Each book contains around ten short stories or excerpts by contemporary authors presented on the left page, with a full English translation on the facing page. This enables you to read through the foreign text and check yourself on any words or phrases that you might not have quite understood and makes these books a great tool for language learners!

Key Benefits:

• Short stories to keep your interest
• Full translation in English
• Notes on certain sections
• Ideal for intermediate learners

New Penguin: French Parallel Text

Short stories in French

Containing eight pieces of contemporary fiction in the original French and in English translation. Including stories by Bolanger, Cotnoir, Le Clezio and Germain, this volume gives a fascinating insight into French culture and literature as well as providing an invaluable educational tool.

Contents:

• Learning How to Live - Frederic Fajardie (1947- )
• All Lights Off - Frederic Fajardie (1947- )
• David - Jean-Marie-Gustave Le Clezio (1940- )
• The Occupation of the Ground - Jean Echenoz (1947- )
• The Third-rate Film - Sylvie Massicotte (1959- )
• The Objet d'Art - Jean-Paul Daoust (1946- )
• The Hunters' Cafe - Daniel Boulanger (1922- )
• Accursed Notebooks (an extract from La Deconvenue) - Louise Cotnoir (1948- )
• Heloise - Sylvie Germain (1954- )
• The Character - Gloria Escomel (1941- )
• Self-destruction - Rene Belletto (1945- )
• You Never Die - Alain Gerber (1950- )

New Penguin: Spanish Parallel Text

Short stories in Spanish

The Spanish version of the parallel text series contains eight pieces of contemporary fiction in the original Spanish and in English translation. Including stories by Fuentes, Molinas, Marquez and Cortazar, this volume gives a fascinating insight into Spanish and Latin American culture and literature as well as providing an invaluable educational tool.

Contents:

• Eva's Indifference - Soledad Puértolas (1947- )
• A Literary Tea Party - Julio Ramón Ribeyro (1929- )
• On the Honeymoon - Javier Marias (1951- )
• Waliamai - Isabel Allende (1942- )
• Maria dos Prazeres - Gabriel García Márquez (1928- )
• Las Amigas - Carlos Fuentes (1928- )
• Absurd Ending - Laura Freixas (1958- )
• The Possessed - Antonio Muñez Molina (1956- )
• Second Time Round - Julio Cortázar (1914-84)
• Syllabus - Juan Benet (1927-93)

New Penguin: Italian Parallel Text

Short stories in Italian

This Italian parallel text contains eight pieces of contemporary fiction in the original Italian and in English translation. Including stories by Calvino, Benni, Sciascia and Levi, this volume gives a fascinating insight into Italian culture and literature as well as providing an invaluable educational tool.

Contents:

• The Long Crossing - Leonardo Sciascia (1921-89)
• Italy - Goffredo Parise (1929-86)
• The Girl with the Plait - Dacia Maraini (1936- )
• The Last Channel - Italo Calvino (1923-87)
• Lilith - Primo Levi (1919-87)
• The Island of Komodo - Susanna Tamaro (1957- )
• Women by the Pool - Sandra Petrignani (1952- )
• A Naughty Schoolboy - Stefano Benni (1947- )
• Saturday Afternoons - Antonio Tabucchi (1943- )

New Penguin: German Parallel Text

Short stories in German

This new volume of eight short stories offers intermediate German students the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of contemporary literature in the original, with the aid of parallel translations.

The majority of these stories have been written in the past decade, and reflect a rich diversity of styles and themes. Complete with notes, the stories make excellent reading in either language.

Contents:

• The Listener, or a Description of a Route with a Hidden Motive - Siegfried Lenz (1926- )
• Waiting for the Guests - Dieter Wellershoff (1925- )
• Eating Mussels (Excerpt) Birgit Vanderbeke (1956- )
• The Good Old Days - Gabriele Wohmann (1932- )
• Lascia - Judith Hermann (1970- )
• Chicago/Shanty Town - Georg Klein (1953- )
• Grandfather and the Decision-makers - Christoph Hein (1944- )
• The Suspect - Jurek Becker (1937- )