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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Anton Chekhov is best known as a playwright, the author of such classics as Uncle Vanya, The Cherry Orchard, and The Three Sisters, but he was also an accomplished short- story writer. The Essential Tales of Chekhov does not pretend to be a comprehensive collection of all his fiction, but it does lay claim to be the best. Reading these stories, one immediately notices how modern they feel. As Richard Ford writes in his introduction, "His meticulous anatomies of complicated human impulse and response, his view of what's funny and poignant, his clear- eyed observance of life as lived--all somehow matches our experience". Chekhov is a master of the telling detail, the acute psychological insight. In "After the Theatre" he captures perfectly the morbid, romantic imagination of a 16-year-old girl: "To be unloved and unhappy--how interesting that was". In "An Anonymous Story" he quickly limns the sum of one of his characters in a single image: "He was a man with the manners of a lizard. He did not walk, but, as it were, crept along with tiny steps, squirming and sniggering, and when he laughed he showed his teeth". We will see much more of this character, but we've already learned everything essential about him.
No two Chekhov stories are alike, but they do share some common traits: though often sombre, they are seldom despairing and even his most serious work is leavened by his trademark wit. Only 20 of the more than 220 tales that he wrote are included in this collection, but they provide an excellent introduction to those who have not yet had the pleasure of reading him. And for those who know and love Chekhov, The Essential Tales of Chekhov is a loving reminder of why. --Alix Wilber
Product Description
In this collection of 20 short stories, the editor Richard Ford has selected his personal favourites of Chekhov's work. Includes are "The Kiss", "The Darling", as well as lesser known tales such as "A Blunder", "Hush" and "Champagne".
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I am currently half way through this book. these are the early stories of Chekhov, written starting from when he was in his early twenties. Chekhov displays great insight and maturity for someone so young. He makes simple observations that tell us a great deal about what it is to be human, how to deal with sorrow and mistakes, and thus helps us to understand what it takes to really be happy. As i read these short stories I can think of many modern day situations into which they translate seamlessly. This collection of stories is a timeless observation of the human condition, chekhov demonstrates as mastery that few other writers can aspire to.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a fantastic collection of stories. Richard Ford, a great short story writer in his own right, has chosen well in the twenty he has selected here. Checkov was a major influence on my favorite american writer Raymond Carver, which was reason enough for me to buy this book, but if you value stories about the pleasures and hardships of life told from all angles - even from a dog's point of view in the story "Kashtanka" - you will LOVE this. Standouts for me are "The Kiss", "Kashtanka", "Grasshopper" and "Ward No. 6". Filled with emotion but told with the edge of a cold-eyed onlooker, this collection must be read.
22 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Richard Ford the American writer, has revisited Chekhov, as by Ford's own admission he was not mature enough to fully enjoy in his college years. He has selected a glittering selection of stories ranging from the well known to unkown, one-pagers to the more substantial Ward Number Six. The stories are sad, funny and always observational. In the chosen stories, Chekhov's characters are portrayed in an honest fashion, demonstrating their strengths and more interestingly their weaknesses. The realisation that they are making mistakes and continue to do so, is relayed in a way that makes you feel accepting of human nature.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
In the moment
For short stories containing apparently nothing, there is something in that inbetween state of the moment. The moment you can keep going back to.
Published 1 month ago by Arawly
Beautiful collection
Chekov reminds me of the realist movement of artists that formed in the early part of the twentieth century America. Read more
Published 10 months ago by P. Griffin
Great Timeless Storytelling
I took on reading this selection of Chekhov after reading a selection of Carver's short stories.
In this collection, and this is only a small sample since he wrote... Read more
In this collection, and this is only a small sample since he wrote... Read more
Published on 29 April 2010 by J. M. Salinas
CHEKHOV SHORT STORIES
EXCELLENT
well written and read. paints a picture of Russia in the past.
great understanding of human nature
Derek
well written and read. paints a picture of Russia in the past.
great understanding of human nature
Derek
Published on 16 Oct 2009 by D. North
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