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taniakorshid's review
5.0
‘People don’t need six feet of earth, or even a house in the country, but the whole globe, the whole of nature in its entirety, so they can have the space to express all the capacities and particularities of their free spirit.’
Incredible writer. Chekhov writes with compassion towards all his characters whether they are a member of the clergy, an unhappily married man or a lonely schoolteacher. The stories explore a wide range of themes including love, death, freedom, faith and loneliness. This is the sort of collection where you feel you need a long pause after each story to soak up and reflect on everything you have just read before moving to the next one. After finishing the book, I actually went back to reread some of the stories.
The stories in this edition are arranged chronologically so you get a good sense of Chekhov’s development as a writer. It also includes a comprehensive introduction by the translator Rosamund Bartlett, with a biographical and literary context that gives the reader a good background to Chekhov’s work. I enjoyed Bartlett’s translation and I’m looking forward to reading her translations of Chekhov’s other short stories as well as Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina.
Incredible writer. Chekhov writes with compassion towards all his characters whether they are a member of the clergy, an unhappily married man or a lonely schoolteacher. The stories explore a wide range of themes including love, death, freedom, faith and loneliness. This is the sort of collection where you feel you need a long pause after each story to soak up and reflect on everything you have just read before moving to the next one. After finishing the book, I actually went back to reread some of the stories.
The stories in this edition are arranged chronologically so you get a good sense of Chekhov’s development as a writer. It also includes a comprehensive introduction by the translator Rosamund Bartlett, with a biographical and literary context that gives the reader a good background to Chekhov’s work. I enjoyed Bartlett’s translation and I’m looking forward to reading her translations of Chekhov’s other short stories as well as Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina.
jcampbell's review
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
An interesting selection of short stories ranging in a variety of lengths and themes. Interesting look into an author I didn't know.
aquinntessential's review
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
bibliophilicemily's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
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