A Chekhov Circus

A guide to the short stories of Anton Chekhov

Category: Short story

No. 102 – The Darling

The life story of a woman who assumes the identities of the people she falls in love with.

October 6, 2022
No. 101 – At Christmas Time

A rural couple wonder about the fate of their daughter, who has married and moved to the big city.

October 6, 2022
No. 100 – The Jeune Premiere

An actor idly boasts about a romantic conquest to the wrong person.

October 6, 2022
No. 99 – An Actor’s End

A dying actor rues his life and wishes he had never left his hometown.

October 6, 2022
No. 104 – Aborigines

A retired military man grouses about life in a warm southern town.

October 6, 2022
No. 55 – The Witch

A poor church sexton accuses his wife of witchcraft when a postman begs to come in out of a winter storm.

October 3, 2022
No. 56 – Old Age

An architect returns to his hometown and must face up to his past.

October 3, 2022
No. 54 – Misery

A cab driver, mourning his son’s recent death, searches in vain for someone to talk to about his grief.

October 3, 2022
No. 3 – (tie) The Man in a Case/Gooseberries/About Love

These stories are masterpieces, linked by theme and a narrative scaffolding, but essentially independent of each other. The subject of this triptych could be said to be life itself, but that’s an absurdity – still, absurd or not, it feels fair and accurate to say it. These tales really are that rich and deep. But,…

September 28, 2022