Chekhov's short story "The Orator" tells of a rather embarrassing situation when a famous orator stands in front of a crowd at a funeral ceremony. Filled with satire towards and critique of the hypocritical and petty-minded people, Chekhov masterfully presents the world as a reflection in the eyes of a dead man. Connoisseur of the human psyche and a chronicler of Russian daily grind, the author's irony and sarcasm permeate every level of life, earning his short stories a place among the be...

Chehkov's short story "The Beggar" revolves around the theme of spiritual transformation where a depraved alcoholic becomes a better person through compassion and kindness. A perfect example of a narrative with a twist, the short story offers some insight into the topic of knowing the other and delving deeper into the human psyche. What is more, Chekhov places his characters and their extraordinary encounters against the mundane daily grind, a typical characteristic feature of his whole wo...

"The Teacher of Literature" tells the story of Nikitin, a young teacher at the local school, who proposes to Masha, the daughter of a wealthy man. The story oscillates between bouts of happiness and immense love to moments of depression and existential crisis. The realization of the main character that the world is nothing but filled with vulgarity clashes with his previous perfect state of existence. Chekhov masterfully manipulates the story and his protagonist, leading him to the realm o...

Anton Chekhov's short story "The Wife" offers a panoramic description of Russian life amidst the constantly warring oppositions of marriage. The frost of winter cannot compare to the impasse in the relationship between Pavel and his estranged wife. The disintegration of the spouses in their rich mansion is portrayed against the background of abject suffering and poverty of the peasantry. A typical Chekhovian story, "The Wife" focuses mainly on the lack of communication and understanding, a...

A sombre, grieving monk, ferries a man across the river to visit his local church for the Easter holiday festivities. As they journey towards the celebrations and excitement on the opposite bank, the ferryman recounts the death of his best friend Nikolai.Written by the famous Russian author and playwright, Anton Chekhov, 'Easter Eve' (1886) is an atmospheric tale of friendship and grief. Regarded as one of the greatest writers in the world, Chekhov is famous for his plays, includin...

'Love' begins with the narrator writing a long, poetic and lovelorn letter to the object of his affections, Sasha. It has to be absolutely perfect. However, her reply isn't exactly what he expected. This superbly-observed short story serves as an allegory to the trials and tribulations faced by those falling in love. Wistful, whimsical, and funny, it's an essential read for those who want to find out more about the man behind classic plays, such as 'The Seagull.'

Fydor Lukitch Sysoev has been regarded as the best teacher for as long as he can remember, he cares about his students and never forgets an injustice or mistreatment. However, his confidence and patience are about to be tested by a series of difficult exam questions and an anniversary dinner. 'The Schoolmaster' is Anton Chekhov's take on the value of a good teacher and the powerlessness of ageing. This masterful short story is essential for fans of Orwell, Tolstoy and JD Salinger.

Nikolay Kharlamov has been accused of murdering his wife. 'In the Court' follows his trial, describing everything in almost molecular detail. Chekhov's storytelling paints an uncomfortably realistic image of the clerical system- indifference, cold attitudes, and stale atmospheres. This intelligent exploration of human emotion and reaction is perfect for all fans of Chekhov, Hannah Arendt and Max Weber.

'At Christmas Time' is a masterful short story written late in Chekhov's career that is divided into two parts. The first half follows an illiterate peasant family hiring an ex-soldier to write a letter to their estranged daughter as they ponder the mystery of her life. Chekhov's wit is on full display here as the former soldier writes about the army instead of informing the daughter about her parents and hometown. The second part is more sombre as the letter is delivered to the daughter b...

'In the Dark' is a darkly humorous short story by Anton Chekhov about a couple awoken during the night by a sneezing fit. This absurdist scene quickly becomes terrifying as the wife attempts to convince her husband that a haunting figure has entered the house. Chekhov uses humour to cut the tension that rises both between the couple and for the reader.This dialogue-driven character study displays the blend of wit and morbidity that the author and playwright would later become celeb...

In Anton Chekhov's short story "Happiness" from 1887, a horseman approaches two shepherds just before dawn on a summer's night. He tells them the story of a wicked old man without moral who had died without sharing the location of a secret, enchanted treasure with anyone. As the horseman takes his leave, the shepherds are left to reflect on the interconnected nature of greed, temptation and the pursuit of happiness: Is it possible to find happiness without wealth? Or is happiness nothing b...

'Typhus' is a deeply personal short story by Chekhov, about a young man, Klimov, returning home on a train while suffering from a terrible illness. The tale begins with Chekhov's classic dark humour as the protagonist is disgusted with the characters that surround him. The story changes as Chekhov illustrates a slowly creeping illness that engulfs the main character and terrifyingly distorts the world around him. As the nightmarish train moves rapidly along, vivid imagery portrays the horr...