Selected Stories

With an Introduction and Notes by Joe Andrew, Professor of Russian Literature, Keele University.

Anton Chekhov is widely regarded as one of the greatest writers of short stories. He constructs stories where action and drama are implied rather than described openly, and which leave much to the reader’s imagination.This collection contains some of the most important of his earliest and shortest comic sketches, as well as examples of his great, mature works. Throughout, the doctor-turned-writer displays compassion for human suffering and misfortune, but is always able to see the comical, even farcical aspects of the human condition. Chekhov sees and depicts life with unwavering honesty and truthfulness, although a clear moral sense can be detected beneath his apparent objectivity.

Stories include:

• Overseasoned
• The Night before Easter
• At Home
• Champagne
• The Malefactor
• Murder Will Out
• The Trousseau
• The Decoration
• The Man in a Case
• Little Jack
• Dreams
• The Death of an Official
• Agatha
• The Beggar
• Children
• The Troublesome Guest
• Not Wanted
• The Robbers
• Lean and Fat
• On the Way
• The Head Gardener’s Tale
• Hush!
• Without a Title
• In the Ravine

***A note on the translation: our edition was first published in 1996 and no details of the translator were included. We have made a concerted effort to identify the source of the translation, but without success. The stories seem to have a continuity of style which suggests they are all the work of the same translator. Should anyone be able to cast any light on this, do please let us know.***