Description: A beautiful little book designed and published by Pushkin Press. The Beauties contains 13 of the best stories Chekhov ever wrote, perhaps 13 of the best stories ever written. Like Hemingway or Raymond Carver (or even Seinfeld), Chekhov’s genius lies in his observations of human nature and wry sense of humour. The nature of the humour is, of course, Russian so North American readers might scratch the surface and not see beyond the glum circumstances. The short stories are a mix of light-hearted tales to achingly poetic memories of beauty and daydreams of what could have been.
Favourite Moment: The opening story is about a schoolboy accompanying his grandfather as they drive in their carriage along a dusty road on a dreary, sultry August day. They stop for refreshment at the house of an Armenian friend of the grandfather. The boy, the grandfather and their Ukrainian driver are all struck by the beauty of the Armenian’s daughter.
Some years later, now a student, the boy is on a train that stops for some minutes at a country station. He gets out to stretch his legs, and sees a girl on the platform talking to someone in one of the carriages. She is very beautiful. A fellow-traveller, an artillery officer, notices her as well. He also notes that the pale faced telegraphist in the station house has his eye on the girl.
“I bet the telegraphist is in love with that pretty girl. To live out in the wilds under the same roof as that ethereal creature, and to not fall in love — that’s beyond the power of man. But what a misfortune, my friend — what a mockery, to be a round-shouldered, shaggy-haired, insignificant, decent fellow, and no fool, and fall in love with that pretty, silly girl, who won’t take the slightest notice of you! Or even worse — supposing the telegraphist is in love, but he’s already married, and his wife is just as round-shouldered, shaggy and decent as he is … Torture!”
The tale ends full of melancholy as the travellers re-board the train, the third bell rings, the whistle sounds, and the train moves slowly off.
Perfect read for fans of Jane Austen, Russian literature, or even short-story lovers. I would say Chekhov’s short stories are more accessible than his plays so do give this book a try. And this collection by Pushkin is such a beautiful little book!
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