The Essential Tales of Chekhov: Twenty Masterful Stories of Life, Beauty, and Emotional Perception

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Reading Chekhov you learn what it is to be Russian. Like their samovars, and the muzhiks(Russian peasants). It's all very interesting. I never knew they were as devout in their Christian faith as they appear to be in his stories. Of course, it predates Communism which banned churches(Stalin almost had St. Basil's Cathedral leveled). Chekhov takes you back in time when horses, trains, and ships were the main mode of transportation. The Lady With The Dog was my favorite.

It's Chekhov. Of course, it's good.

I had a copy of this book from the library and it was a normal book, printed legibly, clear and easy to read. That is not the case with this copy. Another reviewer mentioned this and I ignored it because, as I said, I'd already seen a copy that was fine. I don't know if this is some kind of knock-off or what but it is absolutely unacceptable.The stories and translations are fine, I like the Constance Garnett versions. That's why I wanted to buy a copy of my own. Very disappointed and somewhat mystified.

with Chekhov. Whatever volume (happily, there are lots in print), whatever translation you start with, you'll want to keep reading and keep discovering. But, Chekhov may require some getting used to. His stories are melancholy, funny, laconic, ironic. Not many of his characters could be called heroic. His plots do not end neatly. He asks many questions but doesn't answer them. My personal favorites in this volume: An Anonymous Story, Ward 6, The Grasshopper, The Lady with the Dog.For a great critical essay on Chekhov, read Nabakov's in his Lectures on Russian Literature.

Anton Chekhov was a student of Leo Tolstoy, and thank God he wasn't as long winded, otherwise we would not have all these wonderful short stories.Short stories before Chekhov were plot oriented and sensationalized. Enter Chekhov, the ultimate master. Now the short story is liberated, it has become more of an art of the moment, an art which reflects deep insights into the social environment of his day - our day too!Present day short story writers with their overly descriptive styles, their lack of real characterizations, and their general ignorance to the importance of brevity and directness would do much to ponder the intricacies of Chekhov's short masterpieces.

I have just finished reading these stories and what I can say is that they are really exceptional. One fells in love with the characters, even with the most disgusting ones, since the author finds a light deep inside each human being he creates through the words, whether a miserable "mushik" or a refined "barin".Feelings somewhat opossed like desperation, compassion, anguish and beatitude arise every now and then along the pages, leading the reader through a vast gallery of situations and characters.

The pages are photocopied clumsily -- they have a grey, uneven background. Translation is out of date. Much better options out there!

What can I say, amazing, beautifully translated, all of the stories are extraordinary, I love the fact that there are some of Chekhov's funny, witty stories and some more dramatic. It is amazing to see an author understanding human psychology in such a way! I love it!!!

This collection cannot be faulted. The stories - some well known and others, not so, are wonderful. By my bedside, permanently.

For short stories containing apparently nothing, there is something in that inbetween state of the moment. The moment you can keep going back to.

Refreshing and universal.

First time I have read Chekhov - was recommended as one of best reads to do before well you know one of those! Bit strange at first but on a re-read it was what everyone says he is. These are so simple but as you read you realise you are a human with all that human beings are: jealous, angry, bitter, sad, lonely, frustrated. Chekhov manages to convey these emotions without using words. If you are confused about life, mixed up and need explanation then don't bother paying for costly listening, paraphrasing people, just read this. If you are human, look beyond the print and accept that this is what you are. Everyone should be given a copy, preferably at birth.