A Chekhov Circus

A guide to the short stories of Anton Chekhov

Category: Story publication date

No. 96 – The Chorus Girl

An angry wife confronts her husband’s mistress, demanding that she give up the jewelry he bought for her.

October 17, 2022
No. 98 – In Passion Week

A slice of life written from the perspective of a young boy as he wonders about life and God.

October 17, 2022
No. 153 – A Classical Student

A young man must bear the wrath of his angry mother when his studies go poorly.

October 17, 2022
No. 1 – A Woman’s Kingdom

This novella is No. 1 in my completely nonscientific ranking of all of Anton Chekhov’s fiction. What makes it so great? What places it ahead of all the other stories and novellas that Chekhov produced during his brief life? Well, let’s look at the story itself for one minute. The “kingdom” of the title refers…

October 17, 2022
No. 45 – The Dependents

This is one of the more painful Chekhov stories, I must say, and that’s surprising given that the beings that suffer most greatly in it are animals. I can hardly bring myself to offer a thumbnail sketch of the plot, but here goes: Zotov, a grouchy old man, alone and lonely, can no longer afford…

October 17, 2022
No. 154 – An Inquiry

A dispiriting visit to a government office, where nothing happens without a bribe.

October 13, 2022
No. 155 – The Steppe

A boy travels from his home on the steppe to a new city, accompanied by a variety of fellow travelers.

October 13, 2022
No. 156 – Ward No. 6

A doctor’s interest in the treatment of mental illness seems to undermine his sanity.

October 13, 2022
No. 157 – The Beggar

A beggar’s life seems to be transformed by a bit of hard advice–but is that what really changed him?

October 13, 2022
No. 159 – A Problem

After a young man bounces a check, a family debates whether to bail him out.

October 13, 2022