The Duel and Other Stories

by Chekhov, Anton; Wilks, Ronald

• ISBN13: 9780140444155
• ISBN10: 0140444157
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1984-06-05
• Publisher: Penguin Classics

Summary

This captivating collection of short stories, selected from works written during Chekhov's prolific period, displays those qualities for which the Russian author and playwright is famous: a natural aptitude for detail, dialogue, humor, and compassion. The six masterfully executed tales, reprinted here in the authoritative Constance Garnett translations, include "The Darling," a poignant piece supporting the claim that life has no meaning without love; "The Kiss," a fanciful confection recounting an officer's brief encounter with an unknown woman; as well as "Anna on the Neck," "The Man in a Case," "The Malefactor," and the title story. As noted by author John Barth, "Chekhov is a superb anatomist of the human heart and an utter master of his literary means...The details of scene and behavior, the emotions registered -- seldom bravura, typically muted and complex, often as surprising to the characters themselves as to the reader but always right -- move, astonish, and delight us line after line, story after story." Book jacket.

Table of Contents

Introduction	7	(10)
The Duel	17	(103)
My Wife	120	(43)
Murder	163	(29)
The Black Monk	192	(31)
Terror	223	(12)
The Two Volodyas	235