The water turned _blue,_ his 2nd wash (in my translation), and that "glorious swimming" scene (exactly as his love/expression for _eating gooseberries)!_ Great story 😅 I like Checkov, and I enjoyed this event. Thanks, James. 🎉
Great wrap up James. I have really enjoyed this event. I had read Chekhov’s plays before but not the short stories and thoroughly enjoyed them. Thanks for organising 😊
Thanks for encouraging everyone to read Chekhov! I thoroughly enjoyed these last two stories in the event and will definitely be seeking out those other “Gooseberries” related stories, as well as the rest of the collection I picked up for this readathon. Chekhov is just one of the best and I didn’t appreciate that before reading more of his works.
Hi James and thanks for organising this - I have enjoyed getting back into some Chekhov. The Saunders book is fantastic and really opened my eyes as to what is in the stories. So in Gooseberries we have Ivan railing against happiness and telling his friend to do good, yet it was he who was so happy swimming in the pond and it’s him who doesn’t clean his pipe and leaves the smell of burnt tobacco to spoil his friend’s sleep - so I think the message is beware of anyone who asserts anything!
Sour gooseberries, sour grapes? Interesting how Chekhov contrasted judgy Ivanych (starting with turning up his nose at the bath water, though who could blame him) with laid-back Burkin and Alekhin. It made him seem slightly unhinged and defiantly determined not to be happy. The lesson of the second story--be wary of a man who doesn’t remember your dog’s name. Saunders' book is a worthwhile read especially if you're familiar with the stories (which I wasn't the first time I read it, so I'm due for a reread). Thanks again for the event James, it was a terrific experience.
Thanks for organizing this reading event, James. I do like Chekhov, and I'm glad I've participated. I think I struggled mostly with Ward No. 6. I think I am just struggling in general right now, and I need something a little bit lighter. This week's stories were better for me, though.
I just finished reading all the stories in the Modern Library Selected Stories (and the five "major" plays) and I definitely am ready for something different in December! Was going to start with For Whom the Bell Tolls, but... probably not. THanks for your participation!
Good day, again, James. Shelby Foote (in the Modern Library edition) told his friend Walker Percy to read "In the Ravine" adding, "I'd rather have written In the Ravine than Moby Dick." Percy went home and read it. He wrote later about it, " I don't know how it can be so pitiful and funny, I have to laugh out loud." I too took Foote's advice and read it on sitting. There is some humor, but the pity is abysmal, and therefore I enjoyed it very much. The male lover in The Lady and his Dog reminded me of Valmont from Dangerous Liasons. He is a slave to his passion. I think I now want to watch the film again, which I did multiple times at the theater when it premiered. I recommend the novella The Steppe. I remember midway being enchanted by the appearance of beautiful woman with sparkling eyes. It was completely unexpected and therefore more enrapturing.
There is also a surprising beautiful woman in Gooseberries. I think the Steppe or maybe The Duel might be on the list for Chekhovember 2025 if it happens. In the Ravine I read last weekend, and it's great. Kind of like a Moby-Dick experience in that it has a whole world in it.
I thoroughly enjoyed George Saunders' "A Swim in a Pond in the Rain", although Steve Donoghue didn't, so take that for what you will. However, I do see you have a copy of Infinite Jest on your shelf there.
![Method Writing: The First Four Concepts - Jack Grapes [FULL INTERVIEW]](/img/n.gif)
The water turned _blue,_ his 2nd wash (in my translation), and that "glorious swimming" scene (exactly as his love/expression for _eating gooseberries)!_ Great story 😅 I like Checkov, and I enjoyed this event. Thanks, James. 🎉
Only 11 months until Chekhovember 2025!
Great wrap up James. I have really enjoyed this event. I had read Chekhov’s plays before but not the short stories and thoroughly enjoyed them. Thanks for organising 😊
The stories are fantastic reading. I think the plays really benefit from a performance. Thank you for your participation!
Thanks for encouraging everyone to read Chekhov! I thoroughly enjoyed these last two stories in the event and will definitely be seeking out those other “Gooseberries” related stories, as well as the rest of the collection I picked up for this readathon. Chekhov is just one of the best and I didn’t appreciate that before reading more of his works.
Thanks for watching and reading. I've been so pleased to hear from people who discovered or rediscovered AC because of this event.
Hi James and thanks for organising this - I have enjoyed getting back into some Chekhov. The Saunders book is fantastic and really opened my eyes as to what is in the stories. So in Gooseberries we have Ivan railing against happiness and telling his friend to do good, yet it was he who was so happy swimming in the pond and it’s him who doesn’t clean his pipe and leaves the smell of burnt tobacco to spoil his friend’s sleep - so I think the message is beware of anyone who asserts anything!
"beware of anyone who asserts anything" could apply to many AC stories, it's true. Thanks so much for participating and sharing your thoughts.
Of all the Russian giants this is one I've yet to checkoff! Best wishes James!!
Ah, but this is one of the easiest ones to Chek-off!
Sour gooseberries, sour grapes? Interesting how Chekhov contrasted judgy Ivanych (starting with turning up his nose at the bath water, though who could blame him) with laid-back Burkin and Alekhin. It made him seem slightly unhinged and defiantly determined not to be happy. The lesson of the second story--be wary of a man who doesn’t remember your dog’s name. Saunders' book is a worthwhile read especially if you're familiar with the stories (which I wasn't the first time I read it, so I'm due for a reread). Thanks again for the event James, it was a terrific experience.
Thank you for participating. I've been so pleased to hear from people who read AC for the first time, or who've revisted after a long time.
Thanks for organizing this reading event, James. I do like Chekhov, and I'm glad I've participated. I think I struggled mostly with Ward No. 6. I think I am just struggling in general right now, and I need something a little bit lighter. This week's stories were better for me, though.
I just finished reading all the stories in the Modern Library Selected Stories (and the five "major" plays) and I definitely am ready for something different in December! Was going to start with For Whom the Bell Tolls, but... probably not. THanks for your participation!
Good day, again, James. Shelby Foote (in the Modern Library edition) told his friend Walker Percy to read "In the Ravine" adding, "I'd rather have written In the Ravine than Moby Dick." Percy went home and read it. He wrote later about it, " I don't know how it can be so pitiful and funny, I have to laugh out loud." I too took Foote's advice and read it on sitting. There is some humor, but the pity is abysmal, and therefore I enjoyed it very much.
The male lover in The Lady and his Dog reminded me of Valmont from Dangerous Liasons. He is a slave to his passion. I think I now want to watch the film again, which I did multiple times at the theater when it premiered.
I recommend the novella The Steppe. I remember midway being enchanted by the appearance of beautiful woman with sparkling eyes. It was completely unexpected and therefore more enrapturing.
There is also a surprising beautiful woman in Gooseberries. I think the Steppe or maybe The Duel might be on the list for Chekhovember 2025 if it happens.
In the Ravine I read last weekend, and it's great. Kind of like a Moby-Dick experience in that it has a whole world in it.
I thoroughly enjoyed George Saunders' "A Swim in a Pond in the Rain", although Steve Donoghue didn't, so take that for what you will. However, I do see you have a copy of Infinite Jest on your shelf there.