Subject
Short stories, Russian -- Translations into English Books
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Anton Pavlovich Chekhov
Project Gutenberg Compilation of Short Stories by Chekhov
"Project Gutenberg Compilation of Short Stories by Chekhov" by Chekhov is a collection of short stories likely written in the late 19th century. This compilation includes a wide array of tales highlighting the intricacies of human nature, often set against the backdrop of Russian society. The stories evoke themes of love, loss, and the complexities of relationships, showcasing the plight of various characters navigating their personal struggles. The beginning of "The Horse-Stealers," the first story in the collection, introduces the character Yergunov, a hospital assistant who finds himself lost in a snowstorm after borrowing a horse from his doctor. As he stumbles upon a suspicious tavern known for its association with local thieves, Yergunov encounters interesting yet dubious characters, including a known horse thief named Kalashnikov. The atmosphere thickens with intrigue as Yergunov grapples with his own moral compass amidst the seedy setting, leading to a series of encounters that explore themes of bravado, shame, and desire. This opening sets the tone for a deeper exploration of human behavior and societal norms prevalent throughout Chekhov's work.
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Best Russian Short Stories
"Best Russian Short Stories" by Thomas Seltzer et al. is a compilation of significant Russian short stories written during the 19th and early 20th centuries. This anthology features works from renowned authors such as Pushkin, Gogol, Turgenev, Dostoyevsky, Tolstoy, and Chekhov, among others, offering a diverse exploration of themes ranging from the supernatural to the mundane aspects of daily life in Russia. The collection aims to present the uniqueness of Russian literature, showcasing its depth, humanitarian ideals, and engaging character portrayals. The opening of the anthology contains an introduction by Thomas Seltzer, which celebrates the essence of Russian literature and its profound connection to the human experience. Seltzer discusses the evolution of Russian storytelling, highlighting its significant departure from Western romanticism towards a style that emphasizes realism and empathy for the lower classes. This section sets the stage for the subsequent stories, beginning with Pushkin's "The Queen of Spades," which involves a card player obsessed with uncovering a mysterious secret tied to an elderly countess. This tale, along with Gogol’s “The Cloak,” further illustrates the complexities of human nature, social commentary, and the impact of fate, serving as an insightful introduction to the collection's subsequent narratives.
Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Short Stories
"Short Stories" by Fyodor Dostoyevsky is a collection of narratives written in the late 19th century. The book includes tales that delve into human psychology, moral dilemmas, and social issues, exploring the complexities of character and society through various protagonists. Among the stories included is "An Honest Thief," which introduces a bachelor and his curious relationship with his housekeeper and a new lodger, revealing themes of empathy, loneliness and the nature of theft. At the start of the collection, the opening story begins with the narrator, a solitary bachelor, having an unexpected conversation with his usually quiet housekeeper, Agrafena. She insists on taking in a lodger, an old soldier named Astafy Ivanovitch, which initially fills the narrator with relief at the prospect of companionship. However, a theft of the narrator’s greatcoat soon creates tension between the characters, particularly Astafy, who becomes fixated on the incident, revealing his own vulnerability and moral struggles. This introduction sets the stage for Dostoyevsky's exploration of human relationships and the contradictions within them.
Aleksandr Sergeevich Pushkin
The Queen of Spades, and other stories
"The Queen of Spades and Other Stories" by Aleksandr Sergeevich Pushkin is a collection of short stories written in the early 19th century. This anthology features a blend of suspense, the supernatural, and compelling character studies, capturing Russian society's mores and intricacies. The titular story "The Queen of Spades" revolves around Hermann, an engineer officer who becomes obsessed with discovering a secret that a mysterious countess possesses regarding winning cards. At the start of "The Queen of Spades," we are introduced to a card party held at the home of Lieutenant Narumoff, where players indulge in games late into the night. Among those present is Hermann, a young and enigmatic officer who, unlike the others, has never played cards, instead shadowing the lively conversations as he listens intently. As the attendees share tales of winning luck and gaming strategies, the intriguing figure of the elderly Countess Anna Fedotovna emerges—a woman who never plays but seems to carry a powerful secret about three winning cards. Her past exploits stir intrigue, setting the stage for Hermann's obsession with uncovering her mystery, which we can expect to lead to a dramatic and possibly dark confrontation.
Anton Pavlovich Chekhov
The Bet, and other stories
"The Bet" by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov is a collection of short stories written in the late 19th century. The titular story explores profound themes of human nature, morality, and the value of life through the lens of a bold wager between a wealthy banker and a young lawyer. The narrative delves into the psychological struggles faced by the characters involved, particularly focusing on the impact of a long-term bet on both their lives. At the start of "The Bet," the story sets the stage with a dark autumn night where an old banker reflects on a party he hosted fifteen years prior. The conversation among guests turns to capital punishment, igniting a heated debate that leads the banker to impulsively wager two million rubles against the lawyer's freedom for fifteen years of imprisonment. As the narrative unfolds, it traces the lawyer's harrowing experience of solitude and learning during his confinement, while the banker grapples with the consequences of his bet, ultimately revealing themes of desperation, lost values, and existential contemplation. This opening portion invites readers to question the nature of freedom and the moral dilemmas surrounding human existence.
Nikolai Vasilevich Gogol
The Mantle, and Other Stories
"The Mantle and Other Stories" by Nikolai Vasilevich Gogol is a collection of short stories written in the early 19th century. The stories often revolve around the absurdities of life in Russian society, employing satire and humor to critique characters and their follies. One of the central characters is Akaki Akakievitch, a titular councillor whose life takes a turn following the loss of his beloved cloak, which becomes a symbol of his social position and identity. The opening of "The Mantle" introduces Akaki Akakievitch, a meek and unnoticed government clerk in St. Petersburg, who is humorously depicted as utterly devoted to his mundane work of copying documents. Gogol paints a vivid picture of Akaki's drab life, marked by ill-fitting clothes and constant ridicule from his colleagues. As Akaki discovers the dilapidated state of his old coat and resolves to get a new one, the narrative sets the stage for his transformation, exploring themes of social alienation and the human condition in a satirical light. The segment hints at the interplay of societal expectations and personal aspirations, foreshadowing the struggles Akaki will endure in pursuit of dignity through something as simple yet profound as a cloak.
Anton Pavlovich Chekhov
The Black Monk, and Other Stories
"The Black Monk, and Other Stories" by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov is a collection of short stories written in the late 19th century. The work showcases Chekhov's reflections on the complexity of human nature, the struggles of ordinary individuals, and the often mundane realities of life. Among the stories, "The Black Monk" stands out with its protagonist Andrei Vasilyevitch Kovrin, whose experiences blur the lines between sanity and madness, love and existential dread. The opening of "The Black Monk" introduces Andrei Kovrin, a troubled man advised by a friend to spend time in the country to restore his nerves. He visits the estate of his guardian, Pesótsky, where he finds himself enchanted by both the beauty of the gardens and the presence of Pesótsky’s daughter, Tánya. As Kovrin immerses himself in the tranquil rural life, he grapples with his ambitions and psychological struggles, hinting at deeper themes of identity and purpose. The narrative sets a contemplative tone, capturing Kovrin's evolving relationship with Tánya while foreshadowing the mystical elements embodied in the legend of the Black Monk, which serves as a metaphor for his internal conflict.
Aleksandr Sergeevich Pushkin
The Prose Tales of Alexander Pushkin
"The Prose Tales of Alexander Pushkin" by Aleksandr Sergeevich Pushkin is a collection of short stories written in the early 19th century. The tales include a variety of themes and plots, showcasing the life and struggles within Russian society, featuring characters such as sergeants, noble families, and peasants. Pushkin's work often delves into human emotions, relationships, and the sociopolitical landscape of his time, making this collection a profound exploration of human experience. At the start of "The Prose Tales," the narrative begins with "The Captain’s Daughter," focusing on the protagonist, Pyotr Grinev, whose life is shaped by his father's decisions and the expectations placed upon him. The opening chapter reveals Pyotr’s idyllic childhood on his father's estate, his education under an eccentric French tutor, and his eventual enlistment in the army, marking a turning point in his life as he prepares to leave home. The initial chapters establish the setting and background of Pyotr's character while hinting at the complexities of his future relationships, particularly with the Captain's daughter, Maria. This introductory portion sets the stage for a tale filled with adventure, conflict, and personal growth.
Leo Tolstoy
The forged coupon, and other stories
"The forged coupon, and other stories" by graf Leo Tolstoy is a collection written between 1902-1904 and published in 1910. The title novella follows a schoolboy's desperate act of forging a bond coupon to repay a debt. This single deception triggers a devastating chain reaction, touching dozens of lives and ultimately leading to murder. The story explores how one evil deed ripples outward, yet maintains hope by showing that good works can spread just as powerfully as wrongdoing through society.
Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev
First love, and other stories
"First love, and other stories" by Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev is a collection of short fiction first published in 1860. The title novella tells the story of a sixteen-year-old boy's infatuation with a capricious twenty-one-year-old neighbor. Turgenev considered it his most autobiographical work, drawing from a youthful episode involving a young princess who captured his heart. The tale explores the complexities of passion when Vladimir discovers unexpected truths about Zinaida's affections, creating a narrative that divided critics yet captivated readers, including the Russian emperor himself.
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Short story classics (Foreign), Vol. 1, Russian
"Short Story Classics (Foreign), Vol. 1, Russian" by William Patten is a collection of Russian short stories compiled and edited in the early 20th century. This anthology features works from renowned authors such as Alexander Pushkin, Nikolai Gogol, Ivan Turgenev, and Fyodor Dostoevsky, representing the richness of Russian literary tradition. The collection likely focuses on themes of human experience, societal critique, and moral dilemmas, reflecting the distinct cultural and historical contexts in which these stories were written. The opening portion of the work includes an introduction, transcriber's notes, and detailed contents, highlighting several prominent stories, including "The Queen of Spades" by Pushkin and "The Cloak" by Gogol. The introduction emphasizes the anthology's purpose, which is to showcase significant short stories from various foreign literatures, particularly Russian. The text also reveals some historical context about the authors and their contributions, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of each story's thematic elements and character developments in the remainder of the collection.
Leonid Andreyev
The Crushed Flower, and Other Stories
"The Crushed Flower and Other Stories" by Leonid Andreyev is a collection of short stories written during the late 19th century. The tales delve into the complexities of human emotions, relationships, and existential themes, exploring both the innocence of childhood and the darker aspects of adult life. The narrative likely introduces characters navigating poignant experiences, with a focus on psychological depth and social commentary. The opening portion of "The Crushed Flower and Other Stories" introduces the character Yura, a six-year-old boy who perceives the world around him as vast and enchanting. He shares a complex relationship with his parents, feeling both safety and a heavy sense of concern for their hidden sadness. Yura is depicted as observant and thoughtful, contemplating his small place in the enormity of life while grappling with a secret understanding of his parents' unhappiness. This opening sets a reflective tone, foreshadowing the intricacies of human experience that will unfold throughout the collection.
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