The Essential Tales of Chekhov Deluxe Edition (Art of the Story) - Softcover

From one of Russia’s greatest writers, Anton Chekhov, an indispensable collection of stories, full of humor, truth, and vast insight, selected and introduced by modern American virtuoso Richard Ford, available in a deluxe paperback edition—part of the Ecco Art of the Story series.

One of the most beloved Russian writers, Anton Chekov had an indelible influence on many revered modern writers, including Richard Ford, Raymond Carver, Robert Stone, Nadine Gordimer, William Maxwell, and Ernest Hemingway. In this superb anthology, Ford, a master of short fiction in his own right, has chosen twenty of his personal favorites from among more than two hundred of Chekhov’s tales and short novels.

Though they were composed more than a century ago, Chekhov’s stories hold timeless lessons and insights invaluable in our own age.The Essential Tales of Chekhov Deluxe Edition includes familiar masterpieces “The Kiss,” “The Darling,” and “The Lady with the Dog,” as well as several brilliant lesser-known tales—“A Blunder,” “Hush!,” and “Champagne.” These stories, ordered chronologically from 1886 to 1899, are drawn from Chekhov’s most fruitful years as a short story writer. The translation is done by the renowned Constance Garnett, who also brought Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky, and Turgenev to the English-speaking world.

From one of Russia's greatest writers, Anton Chekhov, an indispensable collection full of humor, truth, and insight, edited and introduced by American  master Richard Ford—part of Ecco's The Art of the Story series

Of the two hundred stories that Anton Chekhov wrote, the twenty stories that appear in this extraordinary collection were personally chosen by master of the short form Richard Ford. Included are the familiar masterpieces—"The Kiss," "The Darling," and "The Lady with the Dog"—as well as several brilliant lesser-known tales such as "A Blunder," "Hush!," and "Champagne." These stories, ordered from 1886 to 1899, are drawn from Chekhov's most fruitful years as a short story writer. A truly balanced selection, they exhibit the qualities that make Chekhov one of the greatest fiction writers of all time: his gift for detail, dialogue, and humor; his emotional perception and compassion; and his understanding that life's most important moments are often the most overlooked.

"The reason we like Chekhov so much, now at our century's end," writes Ford in his perceptive introduction, "is because his stories from the last century's end feel so modern to us, are so much of our own time and mind." Exquisitely translated by the renowned Constance Garnett, these stories present a wonderful opportunity to introduce yourself to—or become reacquainted with—an artist whose genius and influence only increase with every passing generation.