The Damned Thing
Read this book freeEvery sentence translated, natural audio, one-tap dictionary
English books for B2 level (upper intermediate) · Short stories in English for learners, with translation · Short English books to read with translation
A hunter tells a terrifying story about a mysterious creature that kills without being seen. Set in the wilderness, the tale builds suspense as the narrator tries to explain the inexplicable. Bierce's concise and precise style, with its focus on atmosphere and dialogue, makes this short story an excellent choice for learners to practice reading comprehension.
Learn English with The Damned Thing
- Suits learners around level B2: you read the original, not a simplified retelling.
- Who it suits: a short but demanding text (B2), for readers at B2 and above, or any level with the translation shown.
- 1,051 distinct words, each one a tap away from your personal vocabulary list.
- Translation into Russian, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Japanese, Chinese, Turkish or Arabic, aligned to every sentence, shown under the text or beside it.
- Read-aloud audio for every chapter, with the current sentence highlighted as it is read.
- Read in English, glance at the translation under any sentence you are unsure of, and listen to natural read-aloud voices to train your ear.
How it works
- Open the book: no installation, it reads in the browser on any device.
- Read a sentence in English. Its translation sits right under it, so you never lose the thread.
- Tap a word for its meaning and save it; listen to the chapter read aloud.
More about the method →Read your own EPUB with translation →
Create a free accountRead full books, save your progress and vocabulary, upload your own books.
Questions about this book
Can I read The Damned Thing in English for free?
Yes. The first chapters of The Damned Thing open without an account, with the translation, audio and dictionary included. A free account unlocks the rest of the book.
How much English do I need?
The text is estimated at level B2. Because every sentence has its translation underneath, lower levels can follow along too.
Is there audio?
Yes. Each chapter can be read aloud by a natural-sounding voice while the current sentence is highlighted.
Is The Damned Thing available in Russian?
Yes. On Booklern the English text of The Damned Thing is shown with its Russian translation under every sentence, so you read the original and check the Russian whenever you need to.
Is The Damned Thing available in Spanish?
Yes. On Booklern the English text of The Damned Thing is shown with its Spanish translation under every sentence, so you read the original and check the Spanish whenever you need to.
Is The Damned Thing available in Brazilian Portuguese?
Yes. On Booklern the English text of The Damned Thing is shown with its Brazilian Portuguese translation under every sentence, so you read the original and check the Brazilian Portuguese whenever you need to.
Is The Damned Thing available in Japanese?
Yes. On Booklern the English text of The Damned Thing is shown with its Japanese translation under every sentence, so you read the original and check the Japanese whenever you need to.
Is The Damned Thing available in Chinese?
Yes. On Booklern the English text of The Damned Thing is shown with its Chinese translation under every sentence, so you read the original and check the Chinese whenever you need to.
Is The Damned Thing available in Turkish?
Yes. On Booklern the English text of The Damned Thing is shown with its Turkish translation under every sentence, so you read the original and check the Turkish whenever you need to.
Is The Damned Thing available in Arabic?
Yes. On Booklern the English text of The Damned Thing is shown with its Arabic translation under every sentence, so you read the original and check the Arabic whenever you need to.
Can I download The Damned Thing as a PDF or EPUB?
Not from Booklern: the book is read online, in the browser, with nothing to download or install. Your place in the book is saved to your account.
