The Plays of Anton Chekhov [Hardcover]

Anton Chekhov (Author), Paul Schmidt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 17, 1997

These critically hailed translations of The Seagull, Uncle Vanya, The Three Sisters and the other Chekhov plays are the only ones in English by a Russian-language scholar who is also a veteran Chekhovian actor.

Without compromising the spirit of the text, Paul Schmidt accurately translates Chekhov's entire theatrical canon, rescuing the humor "lost" in most academic translations while respecting the historical context and original social climate.

Schmidt's translations of Chekhov have been successfully staged all over the U.S. by such theatrical directors as Lee Strasberg, Elizabeth Swados, Peter Sellars and Robert Wilson. Critics have hailed these translations as making Chekhov fully accessible to American audiences. They are also accurate -- Schmidt has been described as "the gold standard in Russian-English translation" by Michael Holquist of the Russian department at Yale University.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Chekhov left a legacy of four major dramas as well as hundreds of short comic sketches and stories. Strongly influenced by the Symbolist movement, Chekhov drew upon his personal experiences in depicting the lives of the Russian landed gentry. The period 1996-2004 marks the centennial of the premieres of his best-known plays and brings a renewed appreciation of his place in modern drama. The translations of The Three Sisters, The Seagull, Uncle Vanya, and The Cherry Orchard by Rocamora (theater, Tisch Sch. of the Arts, NYU) remain faithful to the period flavor of the original while being fresh and fluid for modern American actors and audiences. Rocamora also provides a lengthy biographical sketch of Chekhov, which is useful for an understanding of his works. A respected translator, dramaturge, actor, and playwright, Schmidt intends to re-create in American English vernacular the vitality and humor of Chekhov. In this, he succeeds admirably, particularly in some of the short comedies, such as The Proposal. Schmidt's translations seem the more contemporary of the two work under review, and he makes use of many common vulgarisms in the comedies?presumably bringing them closer to what Chekhov's audiences were familiar with. Both titles offer fine contemporary translations that are a pleasure to read. If your collection can support only one "complete Chekhov," go with Schmidt; otherwise, these two titles complement each other and can be recommended for all modern drama collections.?Howard E. Miller, St. Louis
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Russian

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Harper; 1st edition (April 17, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060187050
• ISBN-13: 978-0060187057
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #918,424 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, a fresh translation of Chekhov!, June 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Plays of Anton Chekhov (Paperback)

Having taught Chekhov for a number of years, using translations by Constance Garnett, Elizaveta Fen, David Mamet, and others, it's a pleasure to discover Schmidt's recent translation of Chekhov's major plays. His translations, at times daring linguistically, bring a fresh vitality to Chekhov's plays. I am especially fond of his translations of Uncle Vanya and The Cherry Orchard. New generations of Chekhov readers will find Schmidt's work interesting, accessible, and energetic.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The single finest English translation of Chekhov, June 13, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Plays of Anton Chekhov (Paperback)

This translation, which incorporates the original vernacular seamlessly into a contemporary translation, is by FAR the finest translation of Chekhov's plays (especially *Uncle Vanya*) I have ever read, or am likely to. As a professor of dramatic literature, I will never again teach Chekhov without assigning my students this fine edition--may it long stay in print.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great set of plays and very readable, July 30, 2003

By 

Tommy Long (Houlton, ME United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Plays of Anton Chekhov (Paperback)

I haven't read Chekhov's plays in Russian so I can't say anything about the translation except that it is very readable.

Chekhov had his own unique style in that his plays were usually mere verbal interaction with most significant action taking place offstage. Even though most of his plays, especially his four act plays, take place at rich, country houses far removed from any sort of normal life, he seems to pick out timeless themes of humanness in several characters and weave them together into an almost plotless commentary. The fact that his plays have endured as long as they have are a testament to his genius and his skill at seeing timeless ideas.

Chekhov's long plays are always revered and remembered as classics but this collection gives the reader a chance to see what an unbelievable short play writer he was. They have their own special feel apart from his longer works and give short little insights to the comedy and often comedic tragedy of human nature and human absurdity.

The Cherry Orchard, the Seagull, and Uncle Vanya are classic four acts by Chekhov but don't overlook Ivanov. It was one of his earlier ones and one of my favorites. Chekhov does a good job of making several unique characters and having them react around the central situation and an older man and a younger woman give you an interesting view at an interesting love story.

For short plays I would recommend "The Bear", "The Proposal", and "A Reluctant Tragic Hero". Especially in the Proposal Chekhov's comedy is especially portrayed.

This collection, in general, an all-around good read. Well worth reading this collection of one of the best playwrights.