Showing results by author "Anton Chekhov" in All Categories

"The Lady with the Dog" is a short story by Anton Chekhov. First published in 1899, it describes an adulterous affair between an unhappily married Moscow banker and a young married woman that begins while both are vacationing alone in Yalta.

Short stories have always been a sort of instant access into an author’s brain, their soul and heart. They can lift our lives into locations, people and experiences with a sweep of landscape, narration, feelings and emotions that is difficult to achieve elsewhere. Some you may disagree with but they will get you thinking; about our choices and about those you would have made. If this volume takes you on a path to discover more of these miniature masterpieces then we have all gained something.

This is a story from the In the Ravine and Other Stories collection.

This is a story from the In the Ravine and Other Stories collection.

In Swan Song, an aging actor reflects on the highs and lows of his illustrious career, delving into the roles he has played and the sacrifices made along the way. This poignant narrative examines the complexities of ambition and the human experience, showcasing Chekhovs masterful ability to capture the essence of life. (Summary by Lucy Perry)

Step into the world of Anton Chekhovs The Seagull, a poignant exploration of love, ambition, and the complexities of artistic expression. Written in 1895 and first performed in 1896, this timeless play delves into the tumultuous relationships between four central figures the aspiring actress Nina, the fading star Irina Arkadina, her son Konstantin Treplyov, an innovative playwright, and the celebrated author Boris Trigorin. As their lives intertwine, the characters grapple with their dreams and desires, revealing the deep-seated conflicts that arise in the pursuit of both love and art.

In Ivanov, we delve into the life of Nicolai (translated as Nicholas) Ivanov, a disillusioned middle-aged public servant grappling with profound unhappiness. His wife, Anna, has been disinherited by her family due to her conversion from Judaism and is now battling tuberculosis. As he navigates overwhelming debt, the complexities of life take a turn when his best friend’s daughter develops an infatuation for him. A masterful blend of comedy and tragedy unfolds in true Chekhovian style, showcasing themes that would resonate throughout the playwrights oeuvre. (Summary by mb)

Dive into the world of Anton Chekhovs Uncle Vanya, a poignant tragicomedy that explores the complexities of human relationships and the chaos that ensues when a retired professor returns to his crumbling country estate with his stunning young wife. As unrequited love, rivalry, and illicit romance intertwine, the characters navigate their tangled emotions with Chekhovs signature blend of melancholy and humor. Join us for an engaging performance that captures the essence of life, love, and the struggles of the human spirit. (Summary by Elizabeth Klett) Cast Alexander Serebrakoff Andy Minter, ...

Step into the world of Anton Chekhovs The Proposal, a lively one-act comic farce set in Russia, where marriage is often seen as a ticket to financial security rather than a union of love. This witty play cleverly satirizes the institution of marriage by highlighting its materialistic motivations. Join us for a delightful exploration of relationships, wealth, and the human condition, brought to life by a talented cast. (Summary with reference to Wikipedia) Cast Stepan Stepanovich Chubukov - read by John Eddings, Natalya Stepanovna - read by Ruth Golding, Ivan Vassilevitch Lomov - read by Simon...

Anton Pavlovich Chekhov (January 29, 1860 - July 15, 1904) was a Russian playwright and short-story writer who, though a doctor by profession, is considered to be one of the greatest writers of all time. His career as a playwright produced four classics, and his best short stories are held in high-esteem by writers and critics. The following recording includes the short stories "The Trousseau" and "Champagne (A Wayfarer's Story)."

When we read or listen, words can have a transforming effect. Our mood can alter in the space of a few sentences from joy to sadness. And not just our mood. These words can affect us physically, they can engage our emotions and even in their sadness bring a lump to our throat and tears to our eyes. Sometimes the relief can be palpable. Our authors, from Anton Chekhov, Stephen Crane, Willa Cather, Katherine Mansfield and a wealth of others, are well aware of what their talents will evoke. Genius has many names.

The inevitable is understood by each and every one of us who faces the final calling. So too are the effects on those left behind. The memories are there but the empty space, the void can never be refilled. It remains a dark, unreliable pit of loneliness. The sadness and often depression, the lack of will to continue may swamp us all. Unquenchable, undeniable. But loss can, after mourning, give the opportunity to reappraise the lost and how we can each move forward. In the literary world an accessible balance can be given.

Short stories have always been a sort of instant access into an author’s brain, their soul and heart. The Russian Literary Tradition has justly earned a magnificent reputation. The Russian Empire of the Czars was a huge and disparate patchwork of peoples ruled by an overbearing elite that employed a middle-class bureaucracy to keep the working class firmly underfoot. Within its vaulted ranks are a role call of many of the greatest literary talents of the ages.

Anton Chekhov, Guy de Maupassant, Kate Chopin. These three names thrill the literary world as well as our own. They have gravitas, they have knowledge, experience and they have the literary style and panache to seduce our imagined world. Each has written a short story on pleasured lips placed on another’s flesh. For Chekhov it was a kiss in a darkened room that happened by mistake. Who was she? For Chopin it was a kiss that almost derailed a hoped-for marriage proposal. Why did he do that? For de Maupassant it was a niece seeking advice from her Aunt on when to kiss and whom. And did she?

In this collection of short stories some of our most popular and well-known authors are grouped together with an unfortunate tag: dead at 44. These authors are not run-of-the-mill or ten a penny; they are literary leviathans who left enduring works of literature and sadly may have left us many more had they lived. We will never know.

Anton Pavlovich Chekhov was born on 29th January 1860, in Taganrog, on the south coast of Russia. Chekhov wrote over 500 short stories, which included many, many classics, including ‘The Kiss’ and ‘The Lady with a Dog’. His collection ‘At Dusk’ won him the coveted Pushkin Prize when was only 26. He was also a major playwright beginning with the huge success of ‘Ivanov’ in 1887.

Anton Pavlovich Chekhov was born on 29th January 1860, in Taganrog, on the south coast of Russia. Chekhov wrote over 500 short stories, which included many, many classics, including ‘The Kiss’ and ‘The Lady with a Dog’. His collection ‘At Dusk’ won him the coveted Pushkin Prize when was only 26. He was also a major playwright beginning with the huge success of ‘Ivanov’ in 1887.

Christmas may come but once a year but evil, intrigue and malevolence are everyday events. Within this volume Christmas is a time when these dark forces form and coalesce to take life and liberty from people who may and who may not deserve the spin of its wheel. Some are merely evil, others have the beginnings of a conscience that displays itself in a dialogue with the devil, or perhaps only themselves. But, in this volume Christmas takes a ringside seat to the horrors of the human heart.

Christmas may come but once a year but human emotions, the driving force of our characters, are with us every day. Yet, somehow these same emotions when they happen at Christmas seem amplified; we seem more tender to their touch, their words. Whether it’s a long-lost returning soldier wondering how best to return to the arms of his family without too great a risk of shock... Or a prodigal son whose taken path has driven pain into his own and others hearts… These stories reveal much about the human condition.

This book includes: "Rothschild's Violin", "The Man in a Case", "A Conversation of a Drunk with a Sober Imp", "Life in Questions and Exclamations".