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lindssong's review
5.0
What a wonderful short story. It kept me anxious and at the edge of my seat for how it would turn out. It was philosophical and led me to a lot of deeper discussions, thoughts, and inquiries. So beautiful and sad.
ari_melika's review
5.0
A really easy book. My honors Engliah teacher had me read it to discuss and "teach" the class about. It leaves the reader with a lot to ponder
elizabethlk's review
4.0
The Bet is my first ever experience with Chekhov's work, and I am definitely not disappointed. In my quest to broaden my knowledge of short fiction, it seemed vital that I read one of the most well renowned short fiction writers to have ever lived.
The story was a fascinating one, and it was interesting to see the lawyer and the banker both break down in their own ways as the result of the bet. I genuinely believed the path each man took during the fifteen years of the lawyer's solitude. Upon first read, I feel the twist ending is definitely a classic. Ultimately it seems as if no one truly the bet. As someone who writes short fiction, I feel like Chekhov's works clearly require studying.
I definitely enjoyed this, and I would recommend it for anyone looking for a short read that packs a lot of punch. I would also recommend it to any of my writer friends. I definitely intend to read more of Chekhov's work.
The story was a fascinating one, and it was interesting to see the lawyer and the banker both break down in their own ways as the result of the bet. I genuinely believed the path each man took during the fifteen years of the lawyer's solitude. Upon first read, I feel the twist ending is definitely a classic. Ultimately it seems as if no one truly the bet. As someone who writes short fiction, I feel like Chekhov's works clearly require studying.
I definitely enjoyed this, and I would recommend it for anyone looking for a short read that packs a lot of punch. I would also recommend it to any of my writer friends. I definitely intend to read more of Chekhov's work.
leah_markum's review
5.0
This is one of the few classical short stories that stands out to me. Any short story, really. The assumed premise is that 15 years in solitary confinement is worse than capital punishment. A banker promises two million (no units specified in the story) to the young lawyer if he follows the rules and stays in the banker's garden lodge for fifteen years.
The lawyer spends those years a lot like I would. Heck, why not spend all your free time on reading, studying languages, playing instruments, and other intellectual pursuits. Just for this part I love this story.
I said "assumed premise" earlier. There is an actualized premise. It's predictable when you think about the real world but somehow profound in the context of the story.
There is nothing to dislike. This is the best you can get in 2871 words.
The lawyer spends those years a lot like I would. Heck, why not spend all your free time on reading, studying languages, playing instruments, and other intellectual pursuits. Just for this part I love this story.
I said "assumed premise" earlier. There is an actualized premise. It's predictable when you think about the real world but somehow profound in the context of the story.
There is nothing to dislike. This is the best you can get in 2871 words.
baumrinr's review
5.0
Probably my favorite short story. It contrasts the fruits of an intellectual life to those of one lived in the flesh. Clearly, total immersion in one or the other is not desirable and there must be some balance. But either way the world is a lurid place and so are either desirable at all?
Good book that explores the above (I think.)
Good book that explores the above (I think.)
zhaviapaige49's review
5.0
“You’re mad! And gone the wrong way. You take falsehood for truth and ugliness for beauty.”
Its quite stupid to think that they bet life and money during argument. but looking at the deep meaning of the story its becomes reality where in people nowadays focusses on external satisfaction through wealth and fame, materialistic desires and will live our remaining days with discontentment.
Its quite stupid to think that they bet life and money during argument. but looking at the deep meaning of the story its becomes reality where in people nowadays focusses on external satisfaction through wealth and fame, materialistic desires and will live our remaining days with discontentment.
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