The Kiss and Other Stories (Penguin Classics) [Paperback]

Anton Chekhov (Author), Ronald Wilks (Translator)

Book Description

Series: Penguin Classics | Publication Date: September 30, 1982

A selection of ten stories written when Chekhov had reached his maturity as a short storywriter, between 1887 and 1902. They show him as a master of compression and a probing analyst, unmasking the mediocrity, lack of ideals, and spiritual and physical inertia of his generation. In these grim pictures of peasant life, and telling portraits of men and women enmeshed in trivialities, in the finely observed, suffocating atmosphere of provincial towns with their pompous officials, frustrated, self-seeking wives, spineless husbands, Chekhov does not expound any system of morality, but leaves the reader to draw what conclusion he will.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, Russian (translation)

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Classics (September 30, 1982)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140443363
• ISBN-13: 978-0140443363
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,897,865 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The master of the short story, July 15, 2000

By 

The Baker Street Irregular (Staines) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Kiss and Other Stories (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

Chekhov's achievement as a short story writer has rarely, if ever, been equalled, and certainly never surpassed. This collection, together with its comapanion volumes "The Party and Other Stories", "The Fiancee and other Stories", "The Duel and Other Stories" (all translated by Ronald Wilks), and "Lady with Lapdog and Other Stories" (translated by David Magarshack), all in the Penguin edition, should keep the discerning reader happy for an entire lifetime!

Chekhov is often regarded as a dreamy writer, dealing with the themes of regret and loss in subtle shades of pastel. Certainly, he could often be very delicate indeed. But Chekhov had a far wider range than is generally acknowledged: he could paint with primary colours as well. This particular collection, for instance, contains two of his finest stories - "Peasants" and "In the Gully" - which are both deeply shocking. The latter story has a horrific climax that would not be out of place in a novel by Zola.

I cannot think of any other writer who could write stories such as these, and also something as poetic and sad as "The Bishop": here, the protagonist, of peasant stock, is dying, and he feels alienated even from his own mother, who holds him in awe. It is a profoundly melancholy story, and one of the most moving things I have read.

In each of these stories, there seems to be enough material for entire novels. It is not possible to describe adequately in a few lines the sheer variety and depth of human experience depicted in these stories. Few writers have depicted humanity with such understanding and compassion.