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Une demande en mariage
Farce en un acte. Un vaudeville qui connut son succès.
119 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1890
31 people are currently reading
801 people want to read
About the author
Anton Chekhov
5,890 books9,751 followersDramas, such as
The Seagull
(1896, revised 1898), and including "A Dreary Story" (1889) of Russian writer Anton Pavlovich Chekhov, also Chekov, concern the inability of humans to communicate.
Born ( Антон Павлович Чехов ) in the small southern seaport of Taganrog, the son of a grocer. His grandfather, a serf, bought his own freedom and that of his three sons in 1841. He also taught to read. A cloth merchant fathered Yevgenia Morozova, his mother.
"When I think back on my childhood," Chekhov recalled, "it all seems quite gloomy to me." Tyranny of his father, religious fanaticism, and long nights in the store, open from five in the morning till midnight, shadowed his early years. He attended a school for Greek boys in Taganrog from 1867 to 1868 and then Taganrog grammar school. Bankruptcy of his father compelled the family to move to Moscow. At the age of 16 years in 1876, independent Chekhov for some time alone in his native town supported through private tutoring.
In 1879, Chekhov left grammar school and entered the university medical school at Moscow. In the school, he began to publish hundreds of short comics to support his mother, sisters and brothers. Nicholas Leikin published him at this period and owned Oskolki (splinters), the journal of Saint Petersburg. His subjected silly social situations, marital problems, and farcical encounters among husbands, wives, mistresses, and lust; even after his marriage, Chekhov, the shy author, knew not much of whims of young women.
Nenunzhaya pobeda , first novel of Chekhov, set in 1882 in Hungary, parodied the novels of the popular Mór Jókai. People also mocked ideological optimism of Jókai as a politician.
Chekhov graduated in 1884 and practiced medicine. He worked from 1885 in Peterburskaia gazeta.
In 1886, Chekhov met H.S. Suvorin, who invited him, a regular contributor, to work for Novoe vremya, the daily paper of Saint Petersburg. He gained a wide fame before 1886. He authored The Shooting Party , his second full-length novel, later translated into English. Agatha Christie used its characters and atmosphere in later her mystery novel The Murder of Roger Ackroyd . First book of Chekhov in 1886 succeeded, and he gradually committed full time. The refusal of the author to join the ranks of social critics arose the wrath of liberal and radical intelligentsia, who criticized him for dealing with serious social and moral questions but avoiding giving answers. Such leaders as Leo Tolstoy and Nikolai Leskov, however, defended him. "I'm not a liberal, or a conservative, or a gradualist, or a monk, or an indifferentist. I should like to be a free artist and that's all..." Chekhov said in 1888.
The failure of The Wood Demon , play in 1889, and problems with novel made Chekhov to withdraw from literature for a period. In 1890, he traveled across Siberia to Sakhalin, remote prison island. He conducted a detailed census of ten thousand convicts and settlers, condemned to live on that harsh island. Chekhov expected to use the results of his research for his doctoral dissertation. Hard conditions on the island probably also weakened his own physical condition. From this journey came his famous travel book.
Chekhov practiced medicine until 1892. During these years, Chechov developed his concept of the dispassionate, non-judgmental author. He outlined his program in a letter to his brother Aleksandr: "1. Absence of lengthy verbiage of political-social-economic nature; 2. total objectivity; 3. truthful descriptions of persons and objects; 4. extreme brevity; 5. audacity and originality; flee the stereotype; 6. compassion." Because he objected that the paper conducted against Alfred Dreyfus, his friendship with Suvorin ended
Born ( Антон Павлович Чехов ) in the small southern seaport of Taganrog, the son of a grocer. His grandfather, a serf, bought his own freedom and that of his three sons in 1841. He also taught to read. A cloth merchant fathered Yevgenia Morozova, his mother.
"When I think back on my childhood," Chekhov recalled, "it all seems quite gloomy to me." Tyranny of his father, religious fanaticism, and long nights in the store, open from five in the morning till midnight, shadowed his early years. He attended a school for Greek boys in Taganrog from 1867 to 1868 and then Taganrog grammar school. Bankruptcy of his father compelled the family to move to Moscow. At the age of 16 years in 1876, independent Chekhov for some time alone in his native town supported through private tutoring.
In 1879, Chekhov left grammar school and entered the university medical school at Moscow. In the school, he began to publish hundreds of short comics to support his mother, sisters and brothers. Nicholas Leikin published him at this period and owned Oskolki (splinters), the journal of Saint Petersburg. His subjected silly social situations, marital problems, and farcical encounters among husbands, wives, mistresses, and lust; even after his marriage, Chekhov, the shy author, knew not much of whims of young women.
Nenunzhaya pobeda , first novel of Chekhov, set in 1882 in Hungary, parodied the novels of the popular Mór Jókai. People also mocked ideological optimism of Jókai as a politician.
Chekhov graduated in 1884 and practiced medicine. He worked from 1885 in Peterburskaia gazeta.
In 1886, Chekhov met H.S. Suvorin, who invited him, a regular contributor, to work for Novoe vremya, the daily paper of Saint Petersburg. He gained a wide fame before 1886. He authored The Shooting Party , his second full-length novel, later translated into English. Agatha Christie used its characters and atmosphere in later her mystery novel The Murder of Roger Ackroyd . First book of Chekhov in 1886 succeeded, and he gradually committed full time. The refusal of the author to join the ranks of social critics arose the wrath of liberal and radical intelligentsia, who criticized him for dealing with serious social and moral questions but avoiding giving answers. Such leaders as Leo Tolstoy and Nikolai Leskov, however, defended him. "I'm not a liberal, or a conservative, or a gradualist, or a monk, or an indifferentist. I should like to be a free artist and that's all..." Chekhov said in 1888.
The failure of The Wood Demon , play in 1889, and problems with novel made Chekhov to withdraw from literature for a period. In 1890, he traveled across Siberia to Sakhalin, remote prison island. He conducted a detailed census of ten thousand convicts and settlers, condemned to live on that harsh island. Chekhov expected to use the results of his research for his doctoral dissertation. Hard conditions on the island probably also weakened his own physical condition. From this journey came his famous travel book.
Chekhov practiced medicine until 1892. During these years, Chechov developed his concept of the dispassionate, non-judgmental author. He outlined his program in a letter to his brother Aleksandr: "1. Absence of lengthy verbiage of political-social-economic nature; 2. total objectivity; 3. truthful descriptions of persons and objects; 4. extreme brevity; 5. audacity and originality; flee the stereotype; 6. compassion." Because he objected that the paper conducted against Alfred Dreyfus, his friendship with Suvorin ended
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews
May 2, 2022
51st book of 2022
Chekhov is truly a genius, and this piece is such a joy to read. A farcical situational comedy dealing with a hysterically overcomplicated proposal, this one-act play is a no-brainer must-read for all. Five stars.
Chekhov is truly a genius, and this piece is such a joy to read. A farcical situational comedy dealing with a hysterically overcomplicated proposal, this one-act play is a no-brainer must-read for all. Five stars.
August 28, 2017
Hilarious! Enjoyed every moment of this fantastic satire on society and its idiosyncrasies. Narrated beautifully by the narrators at LibriVox, which added a wonderful flavour to the subject matter of the play. Worth listening to and, what's more is, that it doesn't take much time!
December 15, 2016
"Darling, the Meadows are ours!"
This is literally only a five-minute read, and absolutely hilarious; you won't be wasting your time with this, alright?
I never knew this was the way to propose to someone in order to be absolutely certain that I would get an answer in the affirmative; even knowing this now, I'd still be hesitant to try the method out!
This is literally only a five-minute read, and absolutely hilarious; you won't be wasting your time with this, alright?
I never knew this was the way to propose to someone in order to be absolutely certain that I would get an answer in the affirmative; even knowing this now, I'd still be hesitant to try the method out!
November 26, 2025
The Marriage Proposal is a short play about, well, a marriage proposal that goes spectacularly off course, twice! All three characters are proud and stubborn. Ivan "I shall try to be brief" Lomov is anything but brief, and Natalya Stepanovna takes offense at something he says while trying to broach the subject, and the proposal collapses into arguments. I played the part of Ivan a few years ago, it was fun. I had to stop myself from laughing while delivering the lines.
October 16, 2017
What a hilarious play!!
I give all the kudos to the narrators of Librivox. Absolutely enjoyable throughout. I had hard time controlling my laughter while listening to it. Can't help thinking about the quarrels of real life relationships. I really admired the narrator of the character "NATALYA STEPANOVNA". Jeez!
Funny is no closer description.
I give all the kudos to the narrators of Librivox. Absolutely enjoyable throughout. I had hard time controlling my laughter while listening to it. Can't help thinking about the quarrels of real life relationships. I really admired the narrator of the character "NATALYA STEPANOVNA". Jeez!
Funny is no closer description.
September 21, 2017
Hahaha, this was very funny! A nervous man with heart palpitations makes a marriage proposal to his neighbor's daughter.
I don't know what this is supposed to be a satire of, but it was funny af due the complete farcical nature of the 3 characters. Once the proposal is made, they hardly discuss marriage, instead they get into an argument about their lands and pet dogs, hahaha. Short and funny read, highly recommended if you are looking for a quick laugh. Listen to the Librivox audiobook, it's so well done.
I don't know what this is supposed to be a satire of, but it was funny af due the complete farcical nature of the 3 characters. Once the proposal is made, they hardly discuss marriage, instead they get into an argument about their lands and pet dogs, hahaha. Short and funny read, highly recommended if you are looking for a quick laugh. Listen to the Librivox audiobook, it's so well done.
November 14, 2024
Hilarious, well written and so underappreciated.
December 27, 2020
AMAZING ONE !
May 19, 2022
second time reading this and it was just as good as the first time
February 20, 2024
A delightful one-act play by Anton Chekhov about a landowner who asks for the hand in marriage of his neighbor landowner's young daughter. The fireworks begin early and seem to promise a very contentious marriage.
December 7, 2016
هههههههه النكد منذ البداية. طلب زواج يتحول الى نقاش حاد ههههه ستتسببين انت ووالدك في موت الخطيب تزوجي به اولا ثم تشاجري معه لقد بقيت بدون زوج هل ارتحت الان هههه لا لم يمت بعد ههههه لا ليس مجددا هذا ليس وقت النقاش
February 28, 2020
Hilarious. Basically the representation of my life in a one act comedy.
September 18, 2025
Breve y divertida sátira de acto único.
July 31, 2012
A hell of a lot of fun. Quick witted and farcical. Arguing like an old married couple just as he's trying to propose! Terrifying to think of the reality of this kind of arguing in real life relationships, but a joy to watch exaggerated with these characters.
January 28, 2022
ok, i read this for class. yeah? ok. so i expected myself to hate this because my teacher lacks in taste when it comes to choosing reading material, but honestly?? this was so cute and funny and i enjoyed it so much.
January 25, 2021
“Excuse me; I cannot continue this discussion: my heart is palpitating.”
was a quick fun read and was actually pretty funny at some parts. definitely one of the more enjoyable plays by chekhov. not much to say since it’s such a short play and it’s main goal is to be entertaining since it’s a farce so it definitely did that.
was a quick fun read and was actually pretty funny at some parts. definitely one of the more enjoyable plays by chekhov. not much to say since it’s such a short play and it’s main goal is to be entertaining since it’s a farce so it definitely did that.
September 10, 2017
I feel like this would have been a lot better if I had seen it performed. That being said there's a lot of substance to the book despite the fact that it's not very long. The old married couple banter is quite amusing but I can't have been the only one freaking out for the poor guy? XD
September 30, 2017
This so ludicrous yet absolutely amusing!
I listened to a dramatic reading of the play, which made every bit of it 10 times better.
Here's the link to the audio If you want to experience it, too:
https://youtu.be/39NV90Ddyfs
I listened to a dramatic reading of the play, which made every bit of it 10 times better.
Here's the link to the audio If you want to experience it, too:
https://youtu.be/39NV90Ddyfs
Read
October 28, 2017Hilarious. Many translations available, with many minor differences, but always insanely funny.
July 23, 2018
My first audiobook ever, and I listened to a dramatic reading of the book which made it an even better first time experience.
September 10, 2023
Ha Ha Ha
Hilarious!
It was so funny.
Hilarious!
It was so funny.
May 8, 2022
Horrible. Author thinks he’s quirky, probably laughs at facebook minion memes. Don’t read this book if you don’t want to cringe.
May 18, 2019
Oh WOW. This book read as a legit play. The simple proposal of a woman's hand in marriage does wrong. The drama is thrilling. [No spoilers]. Please read this, or better yet, invest 30 minutes in a thoughtfully played-out audiobook version here.
January 19, 2022
Jag läste precis den svenska översättningen (kungliga dramatiska teaterns) av Tjechovs "Ett frieri" och jag ÄLSKAR denna story! En skär klassiker i särklass med en oerhörd taktfull komik. Längtar tills jag får ta mig an denna pjäs!
October 5, 2010
Melodramatic for sure. Couldn't stop laughing! This would be fun to see performed.
November 21, 2025
The Marriage Proposal by Anton Chekhov
I listened to the play, in which the greatest Romanian actor- George Constantin plays the role of the father and this made my day.
I am in the search for an optimal reading plan and experience. Instead of reading books that do not provide me with the best positive emotions and pleasure, even if they have been listed among the best, I should read the works that are both meaningful and enjoyable, from my point of view.
For a few months I have been struggling with the Man Without Qualities which does not appeal to me, even if it is considered to be one of the best books ever, although my method is to read from a variety of books, each and every single day. Sadly, it is also the case with Ulysses, which is for many the very best book ever.
On the other hand, there are diamonds, like this short work of Chekhov, which are both appreciated by the scholars and pleasurable to me and so I end up with the best of both worlds.
This is an ideal work from my perspective: comic, likeable, satirical and meaningful, although short.
Perhaps Chekhov was the best at this art of introducing a whole world of sensations, description, psychology, messages and morale in a short and rounded, beautiful package. I have read recently about John Cheever, another giant of (modern this time) Literature that he was called The Chekhov of American Short Stories… in other words, Chekhov has such a magnitude than another peak of the art of storytelling is somehow named after him.
In The Marriage Proposal we have borzois, I think. This is another reason for this tale to stay with me. The main characters argue over which of the hounds is better. Paradoxically, the only three people in the play argue repeatedly, even if Lomov begins with the Marriage Proposal from the title, and later repeats the request, amid quarrels, heart trouble and bitter disputes over land, possessions and…dogs.
This story brought to my mind the situation in the Ukraine, where the Russians want to grab ever more territory, after they had already occupied the Crimea. The situation is tense, but funny in the saga, as opposed to the one to the North of my country, which is descending into civil war, with the participation and evil presence of Putin’s Russia.
Listening to The Marriage Proposal was made a great Joy by the acting of George Constantin, the greatest actor I had the pleasure to admire on stage and in radio plays. A wonderful man, whose presence radiated power, humor and terror at the same time, the whole range of emotions as a matter of fact.
He was a Magician and an n actor with an aura. I do not believe in the supernatural, ubermensch…but George Constantin was in a category apart from the rest of the world.
Posted 3rd May 2014 by realini
I listened to the play, in which the greatest Romanian actor- George Constantin plays the role of the father and this made my day.
I am in the search for an optimal reading plan and experience. Instead of reading books that do not provide me with the best positive emotions and pleasure, even if they have been listed among the best, I should read the works that are both meaningful and enjoyable, from my point of view.
For a few months I have been struggling with the Man Without Qualities which does not appeal to me, even if it is considered to be one of the best books ever, although my method is to read from a variety of books, each and every single day. Sadly, it is also the case with Ulysses, which is for many the very best book ever.
On the other hand, there are diamonds, like this short work of Chekhov, which are both appreciated by the scholars and pleasurable to me and so I end up with the best of both worlds.
This is an ideal work from my perspective: comic, likeable, satirical and meaningful, although short.
Perhaps Chekhov was the best at this art of introducing a whole world of sensations, description, psychology, messages and morale in a short and rounded, beautiful package. I have read recently about John Cheever, another giant of (modern this time) Literature that he was called The Chekhov of American Short Stories… in other words, Chekhov has such a magnitude than another peak of the art of storytelling is somehow named after him.
In The Marriage Proposal we have borzois, I think. This is another reason for this tale to stay with me. The main characters argue over which of the hounds is better. Paradoxically, the only three people in the play argue repeatedly, even if Lomov begins with the Marriage Proposal from the title, and later repeats the request, amid quarrels, heart trouble and bitter disputes over land, possessions and…dogs.
This story brought to my mind the situation in the Ukraine, where the Russians want to grab ever more territory, after they had already occupied the Crimea. The situation is tense, but funny in the saga, as opposed to the one to the North of my country, which is descending into civil war, with the participation and evil presence of Putin’s Russia.
Listening to The Marriage Proposal was made a great Joy by the acting of George Constantin, the greatest actor I had the pleasure to admire on stage and in radio plays. A wonderful man, whose presence radiated power, humor and terror at the same time, the whole range of emotions as a matter of fact.
He was a Magician and an n actor with an aura. I do not believe in the supernatural, ubermensch…but George Constantin was in a category apart from the rest of the world.
Posted 3rd May 2014 by realini
October 22, 2017
The charmingly funny one act with brilliant characters. The irony arises from the fact that this marriage will be a total mess.
January 24, 2024
Listen to this as a short audiobook because I enjoyed the Seagull so much. Very different, but also quite funny.
January 14, 2025
Oh, what a burden , lord, to be the father of a grown up daughter!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews