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clare_tan_wenhui's review against another edition
3.0
Though a tad random and dated with gender, class and nationality stereotypes, this weird first foray into Chekhov did not disappoint as I had a delightful experience devouring this short story collection showcasing his unique brand black humour deconstructing societal norms, which definitely got more seasoned and polished as he eventually matured in writing. 3 ½ stars rating rounded down, in anticipation of more fantastic takeaways from his acclaimed later works.
onesime's review against another edition
5.0
Got here via Lucia Berlin and don't want to leave. If the things that go wrong in life were narrated in Checkov's voice from here, failing would be even more fun.
kaemerson2000's review against another edition
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
jasonfurman's review against another edition
4.0
A set of amusing, satirical trifles written when Chekhov was 22 that bear little resemblance (at least to my eyes) of the later Chekhov. Many of them are over-the-top satires, the first being of Bohemian life in Portugal with an absurd set of artists and writers living together in one hotel, together with satirical mock novels based on Jules Verne and Victor Hugo. Many of the others explicitly satirize Russian life, for example a wealthy father who's 15 year old son keeps repeating his elementary school grade goes in to bribe the math teacher to give his sone a passing grade. Most of them are illustrated with sketches by Chekhov's brother. Although these were collected by Chekhov, they were blocked by the censor in his lifetime and the introduction claims this is their first time in print in any language--and that several of the stories are translated into English for the first time as well.
noleek's review against another edition
5.0
Very funny and still reflective of life today. Minus the heavy Russian censorship of course. I will have to make sure I read more Chekhov.
doctortdm's review against another edition
3.0
Humor is often a hard sell. The content wasn't my cup of tea.
wrystake's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
adrianasturalvarez's review against another edition
3.0
The illustrations by Chekov's brother were interesting but the stories were a little too inconsequential for my mood. Short, silly and entirely forgettable.
reader_drinker's review against another edition
3.0
A fun, light, and breezy short story collection. 3.5/5
Favourite short stories include:
In The Train Car
Before the Wedding
A Letter to a Learned Neighbour
St. Peter's Day
and the two parodies:
Flying Islands by Jules Verne (A Parody)
1,001 Passions, or, A Dreadful Night (A Timid Imitation of Victor Hugo)
Favourite short stories include:
In The Train Car
Before the Wedding
A Letter to a Learned Neighbour
St. Peter's Day
and the two parodies:
Flying Islands by Jules Verne (A Parody)
1,001 Passions, or, A Dreadful Night (A Timid Imitation of Victor Hugo)