Love and Other Stories

Love and Other Stories (1922) is a collection of twenty-three stories by Russian writer Anton Chekhov. Recognized today as foundational for the development of the modern short story, Anton Chekhov has transcended Russian literature to become one of the most popular and acclaimed authors in history, in any language. This collection showcases the author’s unique talent for illuminating the intricacies of love and critiquing the values of social and political circles. In “Love,” an aging bachelor meets a beautiful young woman named Sasha, sending passionate letters and soon proposing to her. Despite signs of irreconcilable differences—namely, Sasha’s youthful innocence and childish disposition—he marries her and soon longs for the freedom of single life. “A Country Cottage” follows a young couple on a moonlit stroll in the vicinity of their humble home. Passing the local train station, they playfully discuss their plans for dinner while remarking on the beauty of the landscape. When a train passes through bearing a group of unexpected visitors, however, they find themselves torn between a longing for solitude and their tedious social obligations. In “The Death of a Government Clerk,” a low-level official accidentally sneezes on the person sitting in front of him during a theater performance, only to realize the man is a prominent General. Horrified, the clerk spends the next day attempting to atone for his mistake, only to enrage the man further. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Anton Chekhov’s Love and Other Stories is a classic of Russian literature reimagined for modern readers.