Customer Reviews

Anton Chekhov Early Short Stories, 1883-1888 (Modern Library)

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Marvelous is the only word to describe this first of three volumes of Anton Chekhov's short stories published by the Modern Library. While the following two compilations are each superlative in their own way (thank you again, Shelby Foote), this Early Short Stories 1883-88, is a thrilling peek at genuis not only flowering but seemingly mature; a self-assured young artist at play in his medium, inventing a new(then) approach to emotions as easily as passing off a serf's bromide or a bishop's benediction. This is lesson one in the art of the short story, boys & girls, and it doesn't get much better....ever.

Say what you will about the greatness of modern translations of great literature--I too would argue that Fagles's Homer is worth its weight in gold, I'd take Raffel over Putnam any day the week in both Cervantes and Rabelais, Pevear and Volokhonsky have brought Dostoevsky to life for me--and yet there is something to be said for reading the E.V. Rieus, Samuel Putnams, and yes, the Constance Garnetts of the world.

I am sure Pevear's Chekhov is Chekhov straight up, no filler or watering down. I'm sure it reveals the author in ways that those of us not yet able to speak or read Russian have not yet known. I will gladly read Pevear (and hopefully the Russian) somewhere on down the line.

But here is Chekhov in the original English. Here is the wide-eyed, yet steady prose of Constance Garnett. We must not, in our hubris, bypass this. It is a treasure. I am glad for having read it.

Mr. Foote's selections and foreword are as steady and beautifully clean as the translations of Ms. Garnett. He spent a good deal of time on this project and is to be commended for it. He is a true force in American letters, one whose greatness and influence will only grow with time.

Modern Library is also to be commended for releasing these books in three well-done and excellent volumes. One could not ask for a better package for these works.

I give this book and its two companion volumes a warm and heart-felt recommendation.

this is a must have collection (the 3 volumes), for anyone intersted in writting short stories or the russia of 1900's, it contains his most important works of this type, the translation is made by one of the foremost experts on russian literature 'Constance Garnett', although is to notice that it does not include any references in the footnotes of changed russian words that do not exist in english.

This 5 STAR REVIEW is for the seller WBBROCKS!
I cancelled my order for personal reasons that had nothing to do with the item or seller and I value his EXTREMELY PROMPT RESPONSE. The order was cancelled. My account CREDITED IN A DAY OR SO.
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