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rosekk's review against another edition
3.0
The quality of the writing is really good. The stories were sort of hyper-real, aiming so closely at realism they felt a bit dream-like. A lot of the characters (the men more than the women or children) were really clear, distinct characters; it was easy to understand what they were like in a few pages. A few of the stories struck me as really brilliant (Ward 6, for instance), but others I struggled to feel passionate about in spite of the skill they were written with. Perhaps that's just me & my taste, rather than a failure in the stories themselves. These very melancholic, slightly cold stories which make you feel like you're looking at the world from underwater aren't really my thing.
lindulka69's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
jasonfurman's review against another edition
4.0
A comprehensive set of Chekhov short stories from the earliest to the latest, these are the typical fluid Pevear and Volokhonsky translations. Many of the stories are excellent, but I personally do not like Chekhov nearly as much as Pushkin, Gogol and Tolstoy. And I do not find his stories uniformly excellent so would prefer a shorter collection that focuses just on some of the classics (Ward 6, The Black Monk, The Lady and the Lapdog, etc.)
poppydrops's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
fantasticmeteor's review against another edition
5.0
Of all the books I could've had checked out when my city shut down for a pandemic, I am glad it was this one. Chekhov has a style that would make even the most absurd situation feel relatable and regular. I spent many nights flipping to a random story and reading, and it did well to get me through the worst of these trying times.
sarahreadsaverylot's review against another edition
4.0
Melancholy and cynical, with a cast of profoundly realized deeply human characters. Everyone should read this collection at least once.
tehuti's review against another edition
4.0
How does one review the stories of one of the greatest short story writes of all time? Well stick around and you won't find out, because I won't attempt it
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