The Party and Other Stories

by Anton Chekhov

Overview

Unique Elements

• About the Author
• About the Translator

A Literary Classic by ANTON CHEKHOV.

The Party and Other Stories by RUSSIAN author ANTON CHEKHOV is a collection of short stories published in 1917 in London, the United Kingdom, translated from the Russian language by Constance Garnett.

The title story of this collection, "The Party," portrays emotional tension and conflict between Olga and her husband, two ordinary people who are unable to communicate very well with one another. The weather is hot and humid; the party guests are vain and argumentative. After she sees her husband talking outside of the house with a guest, the lovely Lyubochka, the pregnant wife Olga becomes distraught and later goes into premature labor, delivering a stillborn child.

Sneak Peak

'AFTER the festive dinner with its eight courses and its endless conversation, Olga Mihalovna, whose husband's name-day was being celebrated, went out into the garden. The duty of smiling and talking incessantly, the clatter of the crockery, the stupidity of the servants, the long intervals between the courses, and the stays she had put on to conceal her condition from the visitors, wearied her to exhaustion. She longed to get away from the house, to sit in the shade and rest her heart with thoughts of the baby which was to be born to her in another two months.'

Context

Anton Chekhov (1860-1904), a Russian playwright and short story writer, is considered to be one of the greatest writers of all time. He was a key figure of early modernism in the theatre and also wrote hundreds of short stories, while working in his profession as a medical doctor. "The Party and Other Stories," is a collection of his well-known tales, translated into English language by Constance Garnett and published in London in 1917. Other stories in this collection include "Terror" (1892), "The Teacher of Literature" and "A Woman's Kingdom" (1894), and "Anna on the Neck" (1895).

Title Details

• Translation by Constance C. Garnett, 1901
• Short stories

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783968657172
Publisher:	Otbebookpublishing
Publication date:	01/13/2021
Series:	Classics To Go
Sold by:	Bookwire
Format:	eBook
Pages:	164
File size:	736 KB

About the Author

Anton Pavlovich Chekhov (1860-1904) was a Russian playwright and short-story writer whose works have left an indelible mark on world literature. Born in Taganrog, Russia, Chekhov grew up in a family plagued by financial difficulties and an abusive father, which profoundly influenced his later writings. Despite these hardships, he pursued a medical degree at Moscow State University and practiced as a physician throughout his life, famously stating, "Medicine is my lawful wife, and literature is my mistress."Chekhov's literary career began with humorous sketches, but he soon evolved into a master of the short story and drama, known for his keen psychological insight and subtle, often tragic, exploration of the human condition. His plays, such as "The Seagull," "Uncle Vanya," "Three Sisters," and "The Cherry Orchard," revolutionized the theater by focusing on character development and internal conflict rather than melodrama and plot twists.Controversially, Chekhov often depicted the Russian intelligentsia's existential ennui and the socio-political stagnation of his time, which resonated deeply with contemporary audiences and critics. His innovative narrative techniques, such as the use of subtext and the "stream of consciousness," influenced a myriad of 20th-century writers, including James Joyce, Virginia Woolf, and Raymond Carver.Chekhov's commitment to social issues extended beyond his writing. He undertook a grueling journey to the penal colony of Sakhalin Island, documenting the appalling conditions and advocating for reform. This humanitarian endeavor showcased his deep empathy and commitment to social justice.Despite his relatively short life, Chekhov's works continue to be celebrated for their timeless exploration of human nature, making him a pivotal figure in both Russian and global literature.
Anton Pavlovich Chekhov (29 January 1860 – 15 July 1904) was a Russian playwright and short-story writer who is considered to be among the greatest writers of short fiction in history. His career as a playwright produced four classics, and his best short stories are held in high esteem by writers and critics. Along with Henrik Ibsen and August Strindberg, Chekhov is often referred to as one of the three seminal figures in the birth of early modernism in the theatre. Chekhov practiced as a medical doctor throughout most of his literary career: "Medicine is my lawful wife", he once said, "and literature is my mistress."