Unique collection of Chekhov’s stories, some of them never translated before into English.

Universally acclaimed as the master of the short-story form, Anton Chekhov began his literary career as the author of brief tales and vignettes of Russian life when he was still a young medical student. Later rejected by the writer in the same self-effacing way in which he repudiated some of his most celebrated works, the stories in this collection not only testify to the early promise of his genius, but deserve to be appreciated for their lapidary vividness and their intrinsic stylistic quality.

Mostly dealing with the lives of downtrodden “little” men and low-ranking civil servants as they navigate the corruption and malpractice of Russian officialdom, this volume – here presented in Stephen Pimenoff’s lively new translation – bristles with wit and humour, and is tinged by that understated note of melancholy and lyricism that is a trademark of Chekhov’s writing.

If you enjoyed this collection of stories by Chekhov, you might like The Woman in the Case and Other Stories, The Kiss and Other Stories, In the Twilight.

Alma Classics is committed to making available a wide range of literature from around the globe. Most of the titles are enriched by an extensive critical apparatus, notes and extra reading material, as well as a selection of photographs. The texts are based on the most authoritative edition and edited using a fresh, accessible editorial approach. With an emphasis on production, editorial and typographical values, Alma Classics aspires to revitalize the whole experience of reading classics.