Anton Chekhov

Typhus is a deeply personal short story by Chekhov, about a young man, Klimov, returning home on a train while suffering from a terrible illness. The tale begins with Chekhovs classic dark humour as the protagonist is disgusted with the characters that surround him. The story changes as Chekhov illustrates a slowly creeping illness that engulfs the main character and terrifyingly distorts the world around him. As the nightmarish train moves rapidly along, vivid imagery portrays the horrors of his illness. As Klimovs body and mind become consumed by the infection, he longs to find sanctuary and safety in his own home. However, what awaits him there is far worse. This short story portrays Chekhovs incredible ability to depict ghastly images of everyday life and the tragedy of illness. Typhus is a poignant tale that is just as relevant in our pandemic age as when it was written, and should be read by all.

Neighbours is a short drama by Chekhov about Zina, a young woman who leaves her home for a married man. This scandalous behaviour plagues the mind of Zinas brother, Pyotr, who believes that she has been abducted and deceived but is too fearful to help her. As Zinas family is ashamed of her behaviour, Pyotr sets out to bring her home before news of her affair is widely known. Pyotr confronts his sister and her lover but to achieve his goal he must overcome his cowardice. A story that explores the eternal clash between conservative and liberal values, Neighbours is a social critique that contrasts Zinas freedom and joy with the timid Pyotrs fear of breaking social conventions. Neighbours portrays Chekhovs lyrical prose at its finest and features some of his most memorable characters. This dramatic and poignant short should be read by fans of Raymond Carver and John Cheever.

Anyuta is a short story that portrays the key aspects of Chekhovs writings: dry humour, disillusionment, and a realistic depiction of social issues. The story revolves around Anyuta, a poor woman living with a medical student, Stepan, who has little time for her. Stepan dreams of a better life and is torn between following his aspirations alone or resigning himself to destitution with Anyuta. Chekhov criticises the social standing of men and women as many male students have gone on to achieve greatness, while Anyutas life remains static. These feminist messages made the story controversial at the time and they are still significant today. Anyuta is a poignant and compassionate tale about the difference between dreams and reality that depicts Chekovs ability to find small moments of humour in melancholy moments and features striking portrayals of poverty. This short is recommended for avid Russian literature readers and its feminist aspects make it suitable for fans of novels such as The Handmaids Tale.

When Professor Serebrakoff and his younger wife, Helena, return to his rural estate, they find themselves less than welcome. Despite the smiles and formality, there is tension in the air and all roads lead to Helena. A family friend, Dr. Astrov quickly falls in love with her, as does the eponymous uncle. Uncle Vanya: Scenes from Country Life is one of Chekhovs greatest plays, and expertly demonstrates the power of subtext. What most of the characters say in this play, is not necessarily mean. It has been performed countless times across the world, most notably starring Toby Jones, Ciaran Hinds, Cate Blanchett, Peter Dinklage and Ian McKellen.

In the Dark is a darkly humorous short story by Anton Chekhov about a couple awoken during the night by a sneezing fit. This absurdist scene quickly becomes terrifying as the wife attempts to convince her husband that a haunting figure has entered the house. Chekhov uses humour to cut the tension that rises both between the couple and for the reader.This dialogue-driven character study displays the blend of wit and morbidity that the author and playwright would later become celebrated for. The diverging thoughts of the couple are used to examine themes of marriage and feminism as the glib husband continually dismisses his wifes fears as her overstimulated imagination. Subtle class commentary is also present as the wealthy couple and their valuable possessions are vulnerable to the possible terrors of the night. This unnerving and thrilling story by the master of short fiction is perfect to read in the dark.

At Christmas Time is a masterful short story written late in Chekhovs career that is divided into two parts. The first half follows an illiterate peasant family hiring an ex-soldier to write a letter to their estranged daughter as they ponder the mystery of her life. Chekhovs wit is on full display here as the former soldier writes about the army instead of informing the daughter about her parents and hometown. The second part is more sombre as the letter is delivered to the daughter by her abusive husband and we learn what has transpired in her life. Chekhovs fiery social critique is present in this short as he contrasts the warmth and love of hard village life with the coldness of upper-class luxury. At Christmas Time displays Chekhovs ability to combine irony and melancholy into an incredible work of art that distils a family saga across time and place into a few pages. This short story is Chekhov at his best and should be read by fans of Russian literature and beyond.

An Anonymous Story follows an anonymous assassin, sent to infiltrate the home of Orlov, the wealthy son of a judge. Disguised as a servant, the revolutionary perfectly blends into the household and observes them from within. However, his soul is soon disturbed by the womanising Orlovs attitude towards his wife, and the assassins mission takes a dramatic turn. An Anonymous Story is a fast-paced novella that starts as a political thriller, before becoming a household drama teeming with intrigue and infatuation. Chekhovs comic social commentary is present as he criticizes the deceptive façade of the upper classes and the divergence between men and womens ability to express their true emotions. It is also a story of internal struggle as the anonymous assassin is torn between revolution and romance which displays Chekhovs command of irony and tragedy at its finest. This tale of romance and deception is recommended for fans of Dostoevsky or The Talented Mr. Ripley.

Beauties is a short story by Chekhov that tells the tale of a young schoolboy travelling through the countryside with his grandfather on a sweltering summer day. The boy is uninterested in his dreary dustbowl surroundings until they arrive at the house of an old friend and the boy becomes transfixed by an astonishingly beautiful young woman. Beauties is a perfect encapsulation of Chekhovs critically acclaimed writing style as the plot is minimal but his lyrical prose evokes a sense of enchantment and awe. Vivid imagery portrays the stunning beauty of both the young woman and the setting that will stay with the reader for as long as it stays with the mesmerised schoolboy. This short storys meditation on the lasting impression of beauty makes it a perfect read for fans of The Great Gatsby and Samuel Beckett, whose readers will also enjoy Chekhovs realist writing style.

Follows Marias tumultuous journey home after receiving her salary from the school board. The Schoolmistress features Chekhovs much-celebrated realist prose as he illustrates the misery of the poor schoolmistress and her surroundings.While Maria must fight for respect from her superiors and the townsfolk, she dreams of a better life with the wealthy and handsome Hanov. Chekhovs social commentary is timeless as Maria longs to have a higher social standing, whereas the wealthy Hanov does not appreciate his fortune. This character-driven drama tells an engaging tale of the struggle between accepting your situation and yearning for more. Fans of Jane Austen should read this short story for its poignant portrayal of a womans desires in an unequal society.

The Seagull is one of the best ever dramas about the theatre, yet on the very first opening night it was a famous failure. The play triumphed later in Stanislavskis production and became one of the greatest events in the history of Russian theatre and one of the greatest new developments in the history of world drama.

In the Graveyard is a tale that is at once both hopeful and hopeless in which Anton Chekhov explores the tragedies of life with a comic touch. The short story opens with friends wandering a graveyard discussing a man they once knew whose digestion was fine but still died due to his nosiness. This mixture of the mundane and the mystical which is fundamental to much of Chekhovs celebrated writing is on display in this black comedy. As the protagonists journey deeper into the graveyard the atmosphere grows more melancholic as they meet characters resigned to tragedy. But morbidity and mockery co-exist in equal measure in the graveyard as Chekhovs signature satirical dialogue celebrates life while exploring death. Chekhovs modernist style describes a familiar event with lyrical prose that creates a sense of wonderment in the ordinary. This short story displays Chekhovs dark wit and is suitable for fans of writers such as Franz Kafka or Martin McDonagh.

Gone Astray is one of Chekhovs earlier comedic short stories that is a light-hearted romp about two drunken lawyers trying to find their way home at night. Chekhovs masterful use of irony is present here as one of the lawyers, Kozyavkin, accidentally violates the law by breaking into a house he believes to be his own. The short features some of Chekhovs most farcical images, such as the overly confident Kozyavkin blindly stumbling through a chicken coop to find his misplaced belongings. Gone Astray is a hilarious short story that is an interesting bridge between Chekhovs earlier comedic work and later melancholy stories as his satirical view of the upper classes is a constant theme throughout. Featuring terrific characters and slapstick comedy, Gone Astray should be read by fans of Chekhov or the television series Curb Your Enthusiasm.

In Anton Chekhovs short story "Happiness" from 1887, a horseman approaches two shepherds just before dawn on a summers night. He tells them the story of a wicked old man without moral who had died without sharing the location of a secret, enchanted treasure with anyone. As the horseman takes his leave, the shepherds are left to reflect on the interconnected nature of greed, temptation and the pursuit of happiness: Is it possible to find happiness without wealth? Or is happiness nothing but a man-made fairy-tale character in the story that is life?

IT was said that a new person had appeared on the sea-front: a lady with a little dog. Dmitri Dmitritch Gurov, who had by then been a fortnight at Yalta, and so was fairly at home there, had begun to take an interest in new arrivals. Sitting in Verneys pavilion, he saw, walking on the sea-front, a fair-haired young lady of medium height, wearing a beret; a white Pomeranian dog was running behind her.

First published in 1887, A Bad Business is a supernatural ghost story from famous Russian author Anton Chekhov. An encounter between a graveyards night-watchman and a mysterious visitor isnt all that it seems. Who really is this visitor, and what does he hope to find in the graveyard? A chilling and haunting supernatural horror story from the acclaimed author.

A haunting tale, Russian author Anton Chekhovs Ward No.6 tells the story of Ragin, the head doctor in a provincial towns mental institution. Frustrated by his banal surroundings and what he perceives as a lack of intelligent company, he turns to one of his patients, Gromov, with whom he can express his distaste for what his life has become. The townspeople grow suspicious of the time the doctor is spending with his patient, and so concoct a devious plan to get rid of him. A tale of existential crisis, neglect, and suffering, this is a poignant tale for readers contemplating lifes big questions.

What are you most afraid of? Spiders, ghosts or perhaps the Slender Man? But have you ever been afraid of life itself? Terror tells the story of just that: a man who is afraid of living. His fears range from his office job in St. Petersburg to the mere act of tilling the soil. He is even scared of his lovely wife and children. But the ultimate cause of his fear of day to day life is not what it may seem at first. Chekhovs Terror is a hauntingly realistic novel which leaves no two people with the same impression after reading. Suffused with unrelenting existentialism and wit, this is a must-read for fans of Woody Allens 2015 popular romantic comedy movie Irrational Man which follows a small-town philosophy professors existential musings on the meanings of love and life. Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone, Parker Posey and Jamie Blackley.

The narrative focuses on the extraordinary predicament of the Civil Councillor Navagin. For the past thirteen years he has striven in vain to uncover the undisclosed identity of a certain Fedyukov. His signature mysteriously appears in every single document that leaves Navagins office. Navagin is perplexed and out of his wits.Ironically enough, the time comes when the Councillor decides to follow his superstitious wifes advice to seek arcane knowledge from a spiritual medium. What follows is a hilarious lesson about the consequences of deciding one is above ordinary explanations for extraordinary events. An entertaining and memorable read, A Mystery is highly recommended for fans of the much-loved 1979 satirical comedy movie Monty Pythons Life of Brian starring John Cleese, Terry Jones, Eric Idle and Graham Chapman. It makes for an excellent addition to any Chekhov and O.Henry readers bookshelf.

The Lady with the Dog and Other Stories Anton Chekhov - Anton Chekhov is now justly celebrated as one of Russias greatest writers, but this reputation was hard won in his time. His work consistently challenged expectations, and his insights were not always easy to see. The continued relevance of his stories, however, has shown that Chekhov was ahead of his time, and the nine short stories collected here showcase his very best writing. In such masterpieces as A Doctors Visit, Ionitch, and the title story, The Lady with the Dog, Chekhov explores universal themes of ambition and failure, love and loss, and the thin line that divides triumph and despair. Admired for his startling modernity by such artists as Vladimir Nabokov, Virginia Woolf, and Raymond Carver, Chekhov remains one of the worlds most influential storytellers.

A Nightmare is a short story by Anton Chekhov about two men, one a penniless priest and the other a wealthy aristocrat. The now desperate priest is too proud to ask for assistance, whereas the conniving aristocrat is plotting against him because of his oddball behavior. Where exactly will this dangerous game of cat-and-mouse carry the two?A masterful portrayal of human emotions and the misunderstandings that harbour the potential to wreak havoc upon our lives. Chekhovs story criticizes mans silent dignity and displays how even the most benevolent of desires can be utterly ruined in human folly and error. A perfect fit for fans of the 2012 film Anna Karenina depicting the eponymous aristocrats romantic tragedy set against the backdrop of Tsarist Russia. Starring Kiera Knightley, Jude Law and Aaron Taylor-Johnson.