Several friends have recommended Janet Malcolm’s quirky book on Chekhov. Malcolm’s Reading Chekhov: a Critical Journey is part travel book and part personal reaction to Chekhov’s work. Malcolm travels to Russia and visits important sites featured in Chekhov’s work: St. Petersburg, Moscow, and Yalta. To get the most out of Malcolm’s insightful book, I’d recommend you read some Chekhov first. The two best editions are The Stories of Anton Chekhov and The Short Novels of Anton Chekhov both translated by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky. Some critics consider Anton Chekhov as the best short story writer ever. I can’t disagree.
George, I read Chekhov every now and then. He has written an awful lot of short stories and one can read them again and again. I’m not surprised that his work is popular among young readers even today. Chekhov is consistent in English curriculum in Indian schools. I’m going to look for THE COMPLETE SHORT NOVELS.
Prashant, many critics consider these newer translations superior to the Constance Garnett translations.
Love Chekhov’s stories but hate his plays. How can he be so clear in one and in the other so obfuscated? And Janet Malcolm is an odd duck too.
Patti, you are so right about Janet Malcolm. She makes Joan Didion seem like the Dalai Lama.
His 201 STORIES is also one way to go. He’d definitely be in my top 5, probably top 3. Unfortunately, I also have to agree with Patti about the plays. I try but just cannot like them.
Same here, Jeff. The plays are a punishing viewing experience.
I have seen both The Cherry Orchard and The Seagull and disliked them both, though they were well acted. Something about his plays makes me uncomfortable. I have a read a few of the stories in collections of Russian stories or “great stories” but not a collection specific to him. I honestly don’t remember if I liked them or not.
Rick, I think Chekhov fell prey to the Symbolism movement with his plays. Actors love Chekhov’s plays, but most people in the audience done’t.