Cada semana, este blog toma un fragmento real de una novela clásica de dominio público y lo convierte en un desafío de lectura de 20 minutos: lees el texto en su idioma original usando las mismas herramientas que cualquier palabra de este diccionario -- en este caso, guardar vocabulario con doble clic -- y después compruebas que entendiste bien. Sin simplificar, sin vocabulario adaptado: es el texto real, tal como se escribió.

El fragmento de esta semana es el comienzo de Pride and Prejudice (Orgullo y prejuicio, 1813), de Jane Austen, uno de los libros en inglés más descargados de todos los tiempos en Project Gutenberg. Aquí tienes un resumen en español de lo que pasa, para que puedas comprobar tu comprensión después de leer el texto real en modo desafío.

La señora Bennet corre a contarle a su esposo una noticia emocionante: un joven rico y soltero llamado el señor Bingley acaba de alquilar la finca vecina de Netherfield Park. Ella está encantada porque, según ella, que un soltero rico se mude al vecindario es una noticia maravillosa para una familia con hijas por casar. El señor Bennet, sin inmutarse, apenas responde y deja que su esposa hable todo el tiempo.

Fuente: Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice (1813), vía Project Gutenberg.

Here is the real, unsimplified text -- Jane Austen’s own words, exactly as first published in 1813. The challenge is to read it in about 20 minutes.

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.

However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered as the rightful property of some one or other of their daughters.

“My dear Mr. Bennet,” said his lady to him one day, “have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?”

Mr. Bennet replied that he had not.

“But it is,” returned she; “for Mrs. Long has just been here, and she told me all about it.”

Mr. Bennet made no answer.

“Do not you want to know who has taken it?” cried his wife, impatiently.

“You want to tell me, and I have no objection to hearing it.”

This was invitation enough.

“Why, my dear, you must know, Mrs. Long says that Netherfield is taken by a young man of large fortune from the north of England; that he came down on Monday in a chaise and four to see the place, and was so much delighted with it that he agreed with Mr. Morris immediately; that he is to take possession before Michaelmas, and some of his servants are to be in the house by the end of next week.”

“What is his name?”

“Bingley.”

“Is he married or single?”

“Oh, single, my dear, to be sure! A single man of large fortune; four or five thousand a year. What a fine thing for our girls!”