Review by Choice Review
In this original collection of 20 of Chekhov's stories from 1886 to 1899, Ford pays tribute to his literary mentor. Chekhov is a master at weaving together the strands of the mundane with those of an individual's inner emotional experience, confirming life's joy and beauty in the face of the color gray. As these stories show, empathy is the key. Translated into readable though Anglicized prose (scholars have yet to see an English translation that does justice to the original Russian idiom), these stories focus on the problem of empathy in relations between men and women, especially husbands and wives. Ford's wonderful, brief introduction gets at some interesting material. Particularly notable is the inclusion of lesser-known early sketches ("The Blunder," "Misfortune," and "Difficult People") that set the stage for more sophisticated treatments of the complexities of gender relations as presented in "The Grasshopper," "The Kiss," "Gooseberries," "About Love," and "The Darling" (a parody on female devotion). Ford includes three important stories that present the broader philosophical dimensions of empathy from the perspective of physician-protagonists, "Enemies,""Ward #6," and "On Official Duty." The final selection, "Lady with a Lapdog," presents a typically Chekhovian treatment of the problem of empathy in gender relations. Recommended particularly for undergraduates and general readers. D. Kirjanov; Knox College
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Booklist Review
The seminal quality of Chekhov's short-story ouvre makes its repackaging into this or that selective collection an ongoing source of dispute about what is most Chekhovian. One virtue of Richard Ford's selections here from the Garnett translations is that they reach widely across period demarcations, and give us in one volume a look at several different Chekhovs. In particular, Ford loosens the term Chekhovian from its moorings by including not simply the later, darker Chekhov but also the early lighter-hearted, more whimsical and even melodramatic one. Thus he selects a number of Chekhov's best-known tales, such as "Gooseberries," "Peasants," "The Kiss," and "The Lady with the Dog," but also the less familiar "Hush," which lightly satirizes the writing and sleeping habits of a would-be important writer. The volume contains 20 stories in all, arranged chronologically (with original dates at the end), as well as an insightful introductory essay by Ford that makes a persuasive case for what makes Chekhov good, and of contemporary relevance. --Jim O'Laughlin
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review
Chekhov has influenced generations of fiction writers, including Ford, the editor of this splendid new collection. In his excellent introduction, Ford explores those aspects of Chekhov's writing that have contributed to the author's stature: his economic mastery in opening and closing stories, his ability to elevate everyday life through the perceptive beauty of his language, and his skillful portrayal of the moral dilemmas everyone must face. Chekhov wrote more than 200 stories; the 20 gathered here include some that have been routinely included in other anthologies, such as the melancholy tale of adultery "The Lady with the Dog," and lesser-known gems such as "The Blunder," a humorous account of overly eager parents who botch a scheme to ensnare their daughter's unsuspecting suitor. Ford's subjective criteria have resulted in a wide-ranging taste of Chekhov's genius. Highly recommended for both public and academic libraries.Sister M. Anna Falbo, Villa Maria Coll. Lib., Buffalo, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
