kevinclouther's review against another edition
5.0
Pretty sad there isn't any more Chekhov fiction capably translated into English. May have to learn Russian.
p_florence's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
sbbarnes's review against another edition
2.0
Yet another one where I have a hard time coming up with a rating. I read a different volume - late short stories in German in an edition made before ISBN numbers and all that. It's not easy reading. All the stories in my volume were just the sadness of being Russian. If you're rich you're either secretly losing all your money or idle and depressed; if you're poor you're a farmer and an alcoholic. If the rich want to help the poor, the poor automatically behave like animals because they're uneducated alcoholics and the rich are naive idealists. If you fall in love you will either be ridiculously unhappy about two days after the wedding or you will be crossed in love and miserable and alone for the rest of your life. It's not happy reading, is what I'm saying, and there is a lot of thematic repetition.
Highlights: My Life, which had some real in-depth exploration of the whole idle wealthy vs. farmer issue as well as the unhappiness in love aspect. It was kind of nice that the narrator wanted to be a worker just because that was what he felt like and he wasn't wrong about it being the right thing for him, even if his wife was wrong about wanting to live in the country.
The Lady With the Dog: One of several midlife crisis stories Chekhov wrote, but a somewhat bearable one. I liked the whole idea of the relationship destroying the guy's cynicism even though the narrator was still relentlessly cynical about the chances of future happiness.
In der Schlucht/ In the Valley? No clue on English title. Probably my favorite story in the book, follows the life of a wealthy family in a small town, with useless sons but two helpful daughters-in-law, one of whom turns out to be a psychopath who murders babies. Also about how the dad slowly goes insane. Really a lot darker in terms of content than in terms of style which is just like gentle pastoral comedy, and then BOOM, child death.
Herzchen was also cute, if weird. Followed Olga, who could only have an identity if she had a partner. She married twice and had one lover, but whenever she didn't have a husband she lost all sense of self and all opinions and everything. In the end she found a kid to mother. I presume when the kid grew up and left, she died miserably.
To be honest, those were the only four really memorable stories to me. There were a few that featured the same characters, but they were kind of meh in that the characters were just framing devices for stories about other stuff. As for remaining content, see above - agrarian misery, idle wealth, unhappy relationships and the expending gap between parts of Russian society.
Highlights: My Life, which had some real in-depth exploration of the whole idle wealthy vs. farmer issue as well as the unhappiness in love aspect. It was kind of nice that the narrator wanted to be a worker just because that was what he felt like and he wasn't wrong about it being the right thing for him, even if his wife was wrong about wanting to live in the country.
The Lady With the Dog: One of several midlife crisis stories Chekhov wrote, but a somewhat bearable one. I liked the whole idea of the relationship destroying the guy's cynicism even though the narrator was still relentlessly cynical about the chances of future happiness.
In der Schlucht/ In the Valley? No clue on English title. Probably my favorite story in the book, follows the life of a wealthy family in a small town, with useless sons but two helpful daughters-in-law, one of whom turns out to be a psychopath who murders babies. Also about how the dad slowly goes insane. Really a lot darker in terms of content than in terms of style which is just like gentle pastoral comedy, and then BOOM, child death.
Herzchen was also cute, if weird. Followed Olga, who could only have an identity if she had a partner. She married twice and had one lover, but whenever she didn't have a husband she lost all sense of self and all opinions and everything. In the end she found a kid to mother. I presume when the kid grew up and left, she died miserably.
To be honest, those were the only four really memorable stories to me. There were a few that featured the same characters, but they were kind of meh in that the characters were just framing devices for stories about other stuff. As for remaining content, see above - agrarian misery, idle wealth, unhappy relationships and the expending gap between parts of Russian society.
wshier's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the short stories a little bit more, but still fantastic.
brinalala's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-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
4.75
madsadstork's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
aweol's review against another edition
relaxing
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
drewjameson's review against another edition
5.0
Novellas are, depending on whom you ask, short stories extended to a broader scope or novels lacking extraneous subplots and digressions needed to keep our attention. To Chekhov, they were definitely the former. He used the form as a means to extend his economy and precision into more detailed sociological observations and to inhabit greater stretches of his characters' lives. Pevear and Volokhonsky translators are whimsical and inventive, but I must say their introductions and notes couldn't be vaguer, more formless and more rife with unsubstantiated claims.
richa087's review against another edition
5.0
This is a c0llection of 5 short stories (novellas) by Anton Chekhov. He was a part of the realism tradition hence what he writes gives a very real, true picture of his times. My favourites would be The Steppe, The Duel and Three years. His writing style is poetic and lucid possessing the magic to transport you to 18th century Russia with all those amazing Russian names, Russian mannerisms, clothes and food while also exploring the gory themes of labour exploitation, a clear divide between classes (masters and labours), loveless marriages, imposing social obligations, life dilemmas and makes us wonder on the purpose of our very existence. I also observed that while reflecting on the position and treatment of women (characters who are shown to be quite, timid, oppressed), he usually tends to include a 'strong-headed, opinionated, independent' female character. Quite rare for those times I guess.
He has been a master of short stories and no wonder his stories pack a punch. I got a glimpse into why Russian works and Russian authors have been revered for centuries and cannot wait to read more of them and their stories!
He has been a master of short stories and no wonder his stories pack a punch. I got a glimpse into why Russian works and Russian authors have been revered for centuries and cannot wait to read more of them and their stories!
archer_sloane's review
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
I love Chekhov so much that I got a tattoo referencing his work.