Anton Chekhov's Selected Stories: A Norton Critical Edition

While this is easily the most thorough collection of Chekhov's short stories available at a reasonable price, I found the editor's commitment to offering a variety of translations to be a bit disjointed. This is a minor complaint, though. I have no reservations in giving this volume five stars. Chekhov is a master of the short story, and the beauty of his prose manages to emerge in even the weakest translations here. Many of the pieces found in this collection are nothing short of devastating. Chekhov is the godfather of minimalism. There is not a superfluous word to be found in any of his masterpieces. I like to think of Chekhov as the writer's writer. I wouldn't recommend him to everybody, but I will recommend him to anybody who has an interest in the craft of writing.

What can I say? This is one of the finest collections of Anton Chekov short stories anywhere. This is a must for anyone studying the short story form. Chekov was an absolute master. Do yourself a favor and skip all of the rest and buy this edition of Chekov's stories if you are interested in writing short fiction.

This is an excellent collection of important Chekhov stories. The stories are accompanied by two extremely useful supporting appendices:entitled "Criticism" and "Interpretations" with additional supporting material on Chekov's "Life and Letters." There is something of value in this text for readers at all levels of experience and interest in the work of Chekhov from the intelligent novice to the much more advanced student.

A must read for anyone interested in Chekhov, Russian literature and/or traditions or simply short stories in general. Popkin has done a marvelous job of pulling together stellar translations of some of Chekhov's best stories, and the Norton Critical Edition is definitely worth the extra few dollars for the richness that it affords. Great selection of interpretations and meditations on Chekhov's life and work-- a beautiful book.

Mini-masterpieces set on Russian soil. Chekhov's stories and short-shorts pack a punch that leaves you reeling. Gloriously written landscape descriptions relieve, at least somewhat, the dark, cruel, nightmarish world view of this master playwright. Not for the faint of heart or the easily depressed. Good commentaries on challenges of translation; notes assume minimal knowledge of anything Russian.

This is a wonderful collection for ordinary readers and students of Russian literature alike. Excellent combination of Chekhov's texts, commentaries, and interpretive articles. The attention accorded to translating Chekhov is particularly impressive and rewarding.

This is the best one-volume anthology of Chekhov stories you can buy in English translation. For longtime lovers of Chekhov as well as new readers, it's a real treasure, and I'll keep it on my shelves forever. I'm very lucky to have taken editor Cathy Popkin's class on Chekhov in college, and she brings all the wisdom and sensitivity she displays in her teaching to this brilliantly edited volume, including helpful sections on issues of translation. All my favorite stories and critical essays are compiled here. I can't praise this edition highly enough.

The business of translation is highly underrated

teensy, teensy type face. Hard to read,