The themes of Chekhov's stories--alienation, the absurdity and tragedy of human existence--have as much relevance today as when they were written, and these superb new translations capture their modernist spirit. Elusive and subtle, spare and unadorned, the stories in this selection are among Chekhov's most poignant and lyrical. The book includes well-known pieces such as "The Lady with the Little Dog," as well as less familiar work like "Gusev," inspired by Chekhov's travels in the Far East, and "Rothschild's Violin," a haunting and darkly humorous tale about death and loss. The stories are arranged chronologically to show the evolution of Chekhov's art.

Contents:

• Fortune
• The Letter
• Fish Love
• Gusev
• The Black Monk
• Rothschild's Violin
• The Student
• The House with the Mezzanine
• In the Cart
• About Love
• The Man in a Case
• Gooseberries
• The Lady with the Little Dog
• The Bishop