margu's review against another edition
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
leolai's review against another edition
1.0
The story could have been interesting and nice but the way it was told is everything I hate.
Here and there were nice lines but it doesn't fix the narrative.
Here and there were nice lines but it doesn't fix the narrative.
gsheffy's review against another edition
Fin de siecle meets Candide. In general, I don’t think I can read slowly enough to enjoy reading plays, but I’d love to see this performed. There were a lot of characters/names to keep track of so I felt a little lost, but every so often there’s an offhand sentence that was just devastating. I’m very intrigued by Chekhov.
mjsteimle's review against another edition
3.0
I'm enjoying pulling books of the bookshelf that I haven't read in years. In this reading I especially noticed the humor and absurdity of some of the side characters.
ruth_kingsford's review
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
octavia_cade's review against another edition
fast-paced
3.0
This is one of those books that has been on my reading list for years. For all of those years, I do admit, I have managed to avoid knowing anything about the story, other than it involved an orchard (not a great deduction, considering). I've finally got around to reading it, and honestly: the introduction was the most interesting thing about it, being very clear and informative. Don't get me wrong; I enjoyed the play. It didn't bowl me over or anything, but until the time comes when I'm able to see it performed - the real measure of a play is in the performance - my opinion will be one of perfect adequacy. There are some nice character touches, but even so I'm not really that interested in any of the people here. I suppose I feel most sorry for Madame Lyubov, the last owner of the orchard, although she's so determinedly ineffectual that the sorrow is very shallow and doesn't last long.
Apparently Chekhov thought of this as a comedy. I can't see why, unless the Russian propensity for black humour is even grimmer than I imagined. Still... maybe it's funnier on stage.
Apparently Chekhov thought of this as a comedy. I can't see why, unless the Russian propensity for black humour is even grimmer than I imagined. Still... maybe it's funnier on stage.
aminowrimo's review against another edition
3.0
I would have liked to have had a little bit more context before starting this book—or to have it in something other than an e-book version. However, I grabbed my copy off of Gutenberg. Typically I like that, but I suppose that for plays (at least with my sporadic reading habits) I need a pencil and paper.
The play passed by in a blur, in which I did not get many references (because I was not reading carefully enough or in few enough sittings). I'd like to have it on my re-read list at some point.
The play passed by in a blur, in which I did not get many references (because I was not reading carefully enough or in few enough sittings). I'd like to have it on my re-read list at some point.
blueskygreentreesyellowsun's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed reading it. Seems like the type of play that is best performed, though, and not read to oneself.
isaac_salle's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75