For those who have an interest in Russian literature, I wholeheartedly recommend Chekhov (especially for those new to Russian literature). There is nothing confusing or complex in the way that he writes, nor any segments of lengthy and intimidating befuddlement. Chekhov is transient yet fluent in his expression, intention and efficiently goes above and beyond to provide everything that is required as a writer. There was something about him that I was grateful for as a reader. His works displayed simplicity, realism, truth and sincerity in all its glory. 

Chekhov had a habit of unveiling surges of empathy from me, as if I was reading a mirror amongst the pages. Often, his characters are stripped from any forms of pretension and furnished with an ironclad fidelity to the plot of the story. He bestowed a winsome sense of clarity and unconditional truth in the ordinariness of his characters who try to make the most of their difficult lives. It was a beautiful concept to discover. He left me feeling a little more human after each tale.

In this book, there are 24 short stories. Each one is unique in its theme, purpose, emotional evocation and somehow they all manage to simultaneously seize interest, penetrate the imagination and tickle the soul. I found that Chekhov has revealed my inner philosopher, exposed feelings of sadness and sympathy, but also left me with instances of laughter. 

All of the stories were great, there was not one that I didn't like. 

An amazingly talented writer, truly. After reading about him as a person, I found Chekhov to be all the more brilliant. It is suggested that his stories are allegorical, in that they share autobiographical components. A (if not, the) leading master in the art of the short story and one of the foremost humanists in the realm of Russian writers. 

Nice short stories, a great insight into the Russia of Chekhov’s day