Showing results by author "Anton Chekhov" in All Categories

In Old Age by Anton Chekhov we have the theme of change, loss, renewal, memories, guilt and despair. Taken from his The Complete Stories collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and very early on in the story the reader realises that Chekhov may be exploring the theme of change. Since Uzelkov has returned to his hometown he cannot imagine the differences the town has undertaken. It is not the place that he has left and there is a sense of modernity. Even the old waiter cannot remember the parts of the town that Uzelkov can.

Sadness can be about so many things from places to people, from thoughts to actions. Our classic authors including Arnold Bennett, James Joyce, Willa Cather, Joseph Conrad, Ivan Turgenev and many others use their pens and stories to demonstrate the many ways this feeling can take a hold of lives and its consequences.

bibliophile's collection of wide ranging and masterful short stories, embracing both the subtle and the macabre, the whimsical and the downright frightful. Fifty captivating short stories which will keep listeners glued to their headsets.

Pavel Vassilyevitch finds himself meeting with an unwanted visitor one day after lunch, an odd woman beseeching him to give him just a half hour of his time. Madam Murashkin wants Pavel to critique a play that she has written before she sets off on a voyage, and insists it will take only a half hour of his time. Unable to deny her relentless pitiful pleas, Pavel gives in and Madam Murashkin launches into her play - which turns out to take much longer than half an hour to get through.

The Duel takes place in a small and peaceful town by the Black Sea. Two friends chat while swimming. Ivan Laevsky, 28, reveals his private secrets to Samoilenko, an army doctor. He reveals that, two years ago, he began an affair with a married woman. They fled to the Caucasus to get a fresh start. But the town and its inhabitants turned out to be dull, and Laevsky did not like it there. He does not see any future for himself and Nadezhda Fyodorovna, only more and more lies.

Anton Pavlovich Chekhov (9 January 1860 - 15 July 1904) was a Russian playwright and short story writer best known for his infamous four plays The Seagull, The Cherry Orchard, The Three Sisters and Uncle Vanya which shaped modern theatre as we know it today. Despite of the fact that he is best known for his work as a playwright, Chekhov is considered to be one of the greatest writers of the short story form among critics. He completed more than 200 works throughout his lifetime. Chekhov wrote The Party in 1888.

"The Lady with the Dog" is a short story by Anton Chekhov. First published in 1899, it describes an adulterous affair between an unhappily married Moscow banker and a young married woman that begins while both are vacationing alone in Yalta.

Step into the world of The School Mistress, a captivating tale that explores the intricate dynamics of education, authority, and the lives of those within a school setting. Experience the struggles and triumphs of a dedicated teacher as she navigates the challenges of her role, revealing the powerful impact of mentorship and the transformative nature of learning.

Renowned for his brilliant plays and short stories, Anton Chekhov also crafted a series of novellas that delve deeply into the complexities of the human psyche and relationships. In The Duel, the reckless Laevsky escapes to the Caucasus with another mans wife, Nadyezhda Fyodorovna. There, he encounters a vibrant cast of characters, including Von Koren the zoologist, Samoylenko the doctor, and Pobyedov the whimsical deacon. However, Laevsky and his mistress quickly find themselves at odds with local society due to their extravagant lifestyles, leading to a dramatic insult, challenge, and ...

Join little Yegorushka on his first day of school, accompanied by his Uncle Ivan, the local priest Father Christopher, and the cheerful servant Deniska. Together, they embark on a journey filled with encounters with a vibrant cast of characters, including the innkeeper Moisey Moisevitch, the enchanting Countess Dranitsky, the enigmatic Varlamov, the silent singer Emelyan, and the steppe waif Tit, among many others. Yet, the most captivating character of all is the Steppe itself, depicted in all its moods and weathers, brought to life by Chekhov’s masterful strokes, revealing its wild, ...

In An Anonymous Story, Chekhov delves into his signature themes of superfluous men, ironic rakes, exploited women, and the perils of societal norms on genuine happiness. The story follows an Anonymous Narrator, a hapless would-be revolutionary who secures a position as a flunky in the household of the ineffectual young aristocrat Orlov, aiming to gather intelligence for the Cause. Orlovs seduction of the beautiful Zinaida Fyodorovna leads to a swift disinterest, leaving her vulnerable. The Narrator, embodying the archetype of the Russian literary superfluous man, becomes complicit in Orlovs ...

In this gripping tale, Laevsky finds himself in a small seaside town in the Caucasus after abandoning his old life for Nadyezhda Fyodorovna, another man’s wife. However, the dreams of a fresh start quickly fade as Laevsky succumbs to a life of idleness, filled with drinking and card games, while Nadyezhda seeks solace in other affairs. As Laevsky devises a plan to escape once more—this time without his mistress—he crosses paths with the rationalist Von Koren, who is a staunch believer in Darwinian principles of natural selection. When tensions rise and Laevskys frustrations boil over, ...

From the celebrated, award-winning translators of Anna Karenina and The Brothers Karamazov: a lavish volume of stories by one of the most influential short fiction writers of all time. Anton Chekhov left an indelible impact on every literary form in which he wrote, but none more so than short...

Dive into the enchanting world of Anton Chekhovs short stories with this first volume of thirteen, beautifully translated by Constance Garnett. Chekhov, a Russian physician turned literary genius, is celebrated not only for his profound plays like The Cherry Orchard but also for his masterful short fiction that captures the essence of human experience. Constance Garnett, an English housewife who taught herself Russian, played a pivotal role in bridging cultures by introducing Chekhov and other great Russian authors to the English-speaking audience. Her translations, renowned for their clarity ...

In Three Years, Laptev, a wealthy but unappealing heir to a merchant legacy, makes the fateful decision to leave behind his independent and devoted mistress, Polina, in favor of the stunning yet superficial Yulia. As their marriage unfolds, it quickly spirals into a joyless existence, with Laptev desperately searching for meaning while Yulia indulges in the glamour of Moscows elite social scene. The story poses a haunting question can Laptev and Yulia salvage something of true worth from their seemingly hollow union? Chekhov masterfully delves into the intricate dilemmas of contemporary ...

Immerse yourself in the captivating world of a Russian literary master with this collection of six enchanting short stories and a thought-provoking novella. (david wales)

Dive into Volume 8 of Anton Chekhovs captivating collection of short stories. This selection features poignant narratives such as The Chorus Girl, A Gentleman Friend, and A Father, among others, each highlighting Chekhovs masterful storytelling. - Summary by Lynne Thompson

In Black Monk, we follow the journey of aspiring academic Andrei Kovrin, who retreats to the countryside for the summer on his physicians advice. There, he encounters a mysterious black monk—an apparition visible only to him—who fuels his intellectual ambitions and challenges his understanding of reality. The monk insists that whether a figment of Kovrins imagination or a genuine entity, he is a part of nature and thus undeniably real. Through this intriguing narrative, Chekhov delves into the gothic themes of scholarly obsession and the thin line between genius and madness. - Summary by ...

Step into the world of Anton Chekhovs The Seagull, a poignant exploration of love, ambition, and the complexities of artistic expression. Written in 1895 and first performed in 1896, this timeless play delves into the tumultuous relationships between four central figures the aspiring actress Nina, the fading star Irina Arkadina, her son Konstantin Treplyov, an innovative playwright, and the celebrated author Boris Trigorin. As their lives intertwine, the characters grapple with their dreams and desires, revealing the deep-seated conflicts that arise in the pursuit of both love and art.

Three Sisters is a poignant exploration of the disillusionment faced by the privileged class in Russia, capturing the search for meaning in an increasingly complex world. The play centers around the Prozorov family, particularly the three sisters—Olga, Masha, and Irina—and their brother Andrei, who grapple with dissatisfaction and frustration in their small provincial town after years of longing for the vibrant life they left behind in Moscow. This city becomes a powerful symbol of their dreams and aspirations, representing happiness and fulfillment that seems perpetually out of reach. As ...