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Tales of Chekhov #7
The Bishop and Other Stories
The bishop.--The letter.--Easter eve.--A nightmare.--The murder.--Uprooted.--The steppe.
148 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1902
115 people are currently reading
380 people want to read
About the author
Anton Chekhov
5,953 books9,869 followers
Antón Chéjov
(Spanish)
Dramas, 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 [a:Alfred Dreyfu
Dramas, 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 [a:Alfred Dreyfu
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
April 14, 2020
My thanks to my friend, Kathleen, for bringing this story to my attention. Chekhov writes poignantly about death and the meaning of life itself, bringing a lot to bear in just a few pages. I believe this is a story as much about love, intimacy and connection, as about death and separation. Chekhov wrote it while awaiting his own impending death. Write what you know.
April 11, 2020
Thank you to Ken for steering me to this one. Perfect timing, as it takes place during the lead up to Easter Sunday. Life and death, time and pretense, habit and echoes of memory. A gorgeous Chekhov story.
August 21, 2022
3.5 stars
داستان "سراسقف" که تحت نام " دلزده" ترجمه شده، یکی مانده به آخرین داستان نوشته شده توسط چخوف است.... تقریبا دو سال قبل از فوت او و زمانیکه او درگیر بیماریست و به اروپای مرکزی رفت و آمد دارد
این داستان روایت یک هفته آخر زندگی اسقف است....زمان داستان از مراسم عشای ربانی نیمه شب یکشنبه ی پیروزی آغاز می شود و یکشنبه هفته بعد، هنگامی که ناقوس ها مردم را برای مراسم عید پاک فرا میخوانند، اسقف دیگر درگذشته است و اینجا داستان به پایان می رسد.....ر
موضوع داستان ساده، انسانی و تکان دهنده است... داستان بدون احساسات گرایی صرف و با توازن و ایجاز مختص چخوف بیان می شود... داستات از دوری و جدایی یاد می کند... و این درونمایه ای است که بارها در نمایشنامه ها و داستانهای سالهای پایان زندگی او میبینیم... دلزده، حاوی اندوهی فروخورده است که تحولِ ناگهانیِ پایان داستان، خود تاکیدی بر آن است... اسقف می میرد و چیزی نمیگذرد که او و همه کارهای نیکش از یادها می رود... و این خود گویی خط بدبینانه ای است بر تمامی تلاش های انسان... اما چخوف آنچنان هم مغروق نگاه اگزیستانسیالیستی و شوپنهاوری نشده... ... اسقف در بخش اول داستان در تقابل با مادرش می گرید و این گریستن او را به یاد دوران کودکی اش می اندازد... دیدن مادرِ پیر او را یاد سالخوردگی خودش می اندازد و سبب اندوه او می شود... وقتی که به صومعه بر میگردد و متوجه حضور مادرش می شود، خوشحال می شود و آثار اندوه از ذهنش زدوده می شود...حضور مادر برابر با یاد و خاطره دوران کودکی اوست که تماما در داستان در قالب توصیف طبیعت و فضا به گونه ای مطلوب و دل انگیز ترسیم شده و این نشان دهنده تمایل ذاتی کشیش به ریشه ی زندگی است....ر
اما بیماری او موجب نگاه منفی به زندگی پیرامونش است.... او که در حال مرگ است حالا ارزش زندگی را میفهمد ولی وقتی در تعامل با مادرش یا سایر افراد قرار می گیرد متوجه حقارت، بی فرهنگی و خودپسندی آنها می شود....ر
کشیش، حتی به موضوع گرسنگی کاتیا( خواهر زاده اش) توجه چندانی ندارد، و حل مشکل او را حواله می دهد به بعد از عید پاک، او توجهش به زندگی معطوف شده است و ناراحت است که مردم( کشورش) را در حالی ترک می کند که " مردها همه زمخت و بی نزاکت، زن ها ابله و خسته کننده و کشیش ها و مربیان، همه نادان و بی بهره از تمدن " هستند این نحوه ملامت مردم روسیه بسیار تند و تیز است
او به شدت تمایل به تفوق فرهنگی اروپای غربی بر کشورش دارد و وضعیت آنها را به وضعیت کشورش ترجیح می دهد... در بخشی می گوید "" ناگهان شوقی ناگهانی برای رفتن به خارج در خود احساس کرد. اندیشید که حتی حاضر است جانش را بدهد و چشمش به آن کرکره های زهوار درفته و ارزان قیمت و آن سقف های کوتاه نیفتد.. و آرزو کرد که از هوای بویناک این صومعه بگریزد""" این توصیفات بیانگر وضعیت روسیه در دوران واپسین روزهای زندگی نویسنده است... او دنیا را ترک می کند، علی رغن میل باطنی اش اما هنوز مردم کشورش در وضعیت ابتدایی از حیث فرهنگ و تمدن اجتماعی قرار دارند
او در انتهای داستان به مرگش وقوف پیدا کرده، او می داند که آمادگی اش را ندارد اگرچه " اندیشید که همه چیزهایی را که انسانی در موقعیت او خواسته به چنگ آورده، اما چیزهایی بود که از آنها سردرنمی آورد، جای چیزی خالی بود و نمی خواست بمیرد... با وجود این به نظر می رسید که به مهم ترین چیز زندگی نرسیده و ..... " ر
او دچار یک بی معنایی وجودی شده... زندگی اش و مسیر حرفه ای اش با تمایلاتش همخوانی نداشته و حالا در دوران واپسین ، زندگی نازیسته اش او را گرفتار کرده... از طرفی حقارت مردم و اطرافیانش ( مردم روسیه) اندوه و سرگشتگی او را بیشتر کرده است
چخوف در این داستان، به نقش کلیدی کلیسا در هدایت مردم و ظاهرا ناکارامدی آن اشاره می کند، او که خود کشیش است و پیوند عمیق با مذهب دارد دچار بی معنایی شده حال چگونه مردم عادی با مرگ مواجه می شوند؟؟! نقد: اقتباسی از نقد نیلسن آکه نیلسن
داستان "سراسقف" که تحت نام " دلزده" ترجمه شده، یکی مانده به آخرین داستان نوشته شده توسط چخوف است.... تقریبا دو سال قبل از فوت او و زمانیکه او درگیر بیماریست و به اروپای مرکزی رفت و آمد دارد
این داستان روایت یک هفته آخر زندگی اسقف است....زمان داستان از مراسم عشای ربانی نیمه شب یکشنبه ی پیروزی آغاز می شود و یکشنبه هفته بعد، هنگامی که ناقوس ها مردم را برای مراسم عید پاک فرا میخوانند، اسقف دیگر درگذشته است و اینجا داستان به پایان می رسد.....ر
موضوع داستان ساده، انسانی و تکان دهنده است... داستان بدون احساسات گرایی صرف و با توازن و ایجاز مختص چخوف بیان می شود... داستات از دوری و جدایی یاد می کند... و این درونمایه ای است که بارها در نمایشنامه ها و داستانهای سالهای پایان زندگی او میبینیم... دلزده، حاوی اندوهی فروخورده است که تحولِ ناگهانیِ پایان داستان، خود تاکیدی بر آن است... اسقف می میرد و چیزی نمیگذرد که او و همه کارهای نیکش از یادها می رود... و این خود گویی خط بدبینانه ای است بر تمامی تلاش های انسان... اما چخوف آنچنان هم مغروق نگاه اگزیستانسیالیستی و شوپنهاوری نشده... ... اسقف در بخش اول داستان در تقابل با مادرش می گرید و این گریستن او را به یاد دوران کودکی اش می اندازد... دیدن مادرِ پیر او را یاد سالخوردگی خودش می اندازد و سبب اندوه او می شود... وقتی که به صومعه بر میگردد و متوجه حضور مادرش می شود، خوشحال می شود و آثار اندوه از ذهنش زدوده می شود...حضور مادر برابر با یاد و خاطره دوران کودکی اوست که تماما در داستان در قالب توصیف طبیعت و فضا به گونه ای مطلوب و دل انگیز ترسیم شده و این نشان دهنده تمایل ذاتی کشیش به ریشه ی زندگی است....ر
اما بیماری او موجب نگاه منفی به زندگی پیرامونش است.... او که در حال مرگ است حالا ارزش زندگی را میفهمد ولی وقتی در تعامل با مادرش یا سایر افراد قرار می گیرد متوجه حقارت، بی فرهنگی و خودپسندی آنها می شود....ر
کشیش، حتی به موضوع گرسنگی کاتیا( خواهر زاده اش) توجه چندانی ندارد، و حل مشکل او را حواله می دهد به بعد از عید پاک، او توجهش به زندگی معطوف شده است و ناراحت است که مردم( کشورش) را در حالی ترک می کند که " مردها همه زمخت و بی نزاکت، زن ها ابله و خسته کننده و کشیش ها و مربیان، همه نادان و بی بهره از تمدن " هستند این نحوه ملامت مردم روسیه بسیار تند و تیز است
او به شدت تمایل به تفوق فرهنگی اروپای غربی بر کشورش دارد و وضعیت آنها را به وضعیت کشورش ترجیح می دهد... در بخشی می گوید "" ناگهان شوقی ناگهانی برای رفتن به خارج در خود احساس کرد. اندیشید که حتی حاضر است جانش را بدهد و چشمش به آن کرکره های زهوار درفته و ارزان قیمت و آن سقف های کوتاه نیفتد.. و آرزو کرد که از هوای بویناک این صومعه بگریزد""" این توصیفات بیانگر وضعیت روسیه در دوران واپسین روزهای زندگی نویسنده است... او دنیا را ترک می کند، علی رغن میل باطنی اش اما هنوز مردم کشورش در وضعیت ابتدایی از حیث فرهنگ و تمدن اجتماعی قرار دارند
او در انتهای داستان به مرگش وقوف پیدا کرده، او می داند که آمادگی اش را ندارد اگرچه " اندیشید که همه چیزهایی را که انسانی در موقعیت او خواسته به چنگ آورده، اما چیزهایی بود که از آنها سردرنمی آورد، جای چیزی خالی بود و نمی خواست بمیرد... با وجود این به نظر می رسید که به مهم ترین چیز زندگی نرسیده و ..... " ر
او دچار یک بی معنایی وجودی شده... زندگی اش و مسیر حرفه ای اش با تمایلاتش همخوانی نداشته و حالا در دوران واپسین ، زندگی نازیسته اش او را گرفتار کرده... از طرفی حقارت مردم و اطرافیانش ( مردم روسیه) اندوه و سرگشتگی او را بیشتر کرده است
چخوف در این داستان، به نقش کلیدی کلیسا در هدایت مردم و ظاهرا ناکارامدی آن اشاره می کند، او که خود کشیش است و پیوند عمیق با مذهب دارد دچار بی معنایی شده حال چگونه مردم عادی با مرگ مواجه می شوند؟؟! نقد: اقتباسی از نقد نیلسن آکه نیلسن
January 29, 2023
These shorts study religious characters who confront their humanity or are called on to respond humanely to others. Top tip: Bishop.
February 9, 2017
I was told by some Russian friends that Chekov was the 'must read' Russian author, and that the short stories were a good place to start. Having finished these, however, I still prefer Dostoevsky and Tolstoy, although being short stories the comparison with complete novels may be unfair.
Chekov's stories each portray small parts of the the lives of ordinary Russians and are therefore a contrast to the aristocratic settings of many of T. and D.s novels. Much of the stories are concerned with depiction of rural settings and the characters who live there, with their situation with respect to the religious establishment being a strong element in each case. I'm not sure if this latter aspect is done cynically or merely in a matter-of-fact tone that speaks plainly about the faults and strengths of religion and the religious. The 'everyday' focus also means that the philosophical discourses present in T and D are not as prominent, although it is still clear that meditation on the meaning of life was in mind as Chekov wrote. The stories are uninterrupted as a result, but I enjoy the heavy stuff, so I felt primed for it but not satisfied with an answer. Most of the stories also had a sinister undertone to them, as if a ghost or some evil presence is lurking in wait. Strangely also, I also felt as if some of the characters in the stories were connected in some way, but this is not intended I don't think.
The steppes was the longest and left the strongest impression on me. Many of the descriptions of the landscape felt similar to the mood I feel in the Australian outback: it's stark beauty and the evocative sense of loneliness and humility it inspires. And then it ends.
Not my favourite but i enjoyed the glimpse into the different time and place that Chekov wrote about.
Chekov's stories each portray small parts of the the lives of ordinary Russians and are therefore a contrast to the aristocratic settings of many of T. and D.s novels. Much of the stories are concerned with depiction of rural settings and the characters who live there, with their situation with respect to the religious establishment being a strong element in each case. I'm not sure if this latter aspect is done cynically or merely in a matter-of-fact tone that speaks plainly about the faults and strengths of religion and the religious. The 'everyday' focus also means that the philosophical discourses present in T and D are not as prominent, although it is still clear that meditation on the meaning of life was in mind as Chekov wrote. The stories are uninterrupted as a result, but I enjoy the heavy stuff, so I felt primed for it but not satisfied with an answer. Most of the stories also had a sinister undertone to them, as if a ghost or some evil presence is lurking in wait. Strangely also, I also felt as if some of the characters in the stories were connected in some way, but this is not intended I don't think.
The steppes was the longest and left the strongest impression on me. Many of the descriptions of the landscape felt similar to the mood I feel in the Australian outback: it's stark beauty and the evocative sense of loneliness and humility it inspires. And then it ends.
Not my favourite but i enjoyed the glimpse into the different time and place that Chekov wrote about.
April 9, 2018
Some really wonderful short stories here. There seems to be a theme with these, as they all touch on the Russian Orthodox Church (of which I'm a member) and the various feast days and practices that revolve around the church liturgical calendar.
Some of the inferences here may not be apparent to non-Orthodox readers, but Chekhov's prose and insight into various strata of Russia society are beautiful and thought provoking.
Some of the inferences here may not be apparent to non-Orthodox readers, but Chekhov's prose and insight into various strata of Russia society are beautiful and thought provoking.
September 23, 2012
So much to get from rereading Chekhov--this time I found me a new favorite story--"The Letter," when one priest has to advise another on how to properly chastise his adulterer son...if he is to chastise him at all. A wonderfully brilliant, simple story that stirs deeply into human morality--Chekhov's truest mastery. The title story, a classic, is always worth a reread, though unfortunately, this collection ends with "The Steppe," a tortuously long work from a man maybe pressured to join the ranks of the Great Big Russian Novel but whose brilliance lay not there.
January 1, 2018
I could somehow relate this story to the dying of Chekhov himself as he wrote it in his illness and final days.
He has beautiful captured the bond of the bishop with his mother. How she changed her mannerisms with him now that he was a bishop.
Also, I felt extremely sad that Chekhov had to die of tuberculosis, a disease of which the treatment now (after 100 years or so) is easily available. I found myself grieving for him. Oh! how much I would have loved to read more of his stories!!
He has beautiful captured the bond of the bishop with his mother. How she changed her mannerisms with him now that he was a bishop.
Also, I felt extremely sad that Chekhov had to die of tuberculosis, a disease of which the treatment now (after 100 years or so) is easily available. I found myself grieving for him. Oh! how much I would have loved to read more of his stories!!
February 26, 2018
Numerous short stories of a somewhat similar background theme of Orthodoxy life in rural Russia. From there they diverge both in character types, classes, wealth, jobs, etc. Each less of a story and more of moment in their times and lives. Well written of course, but not as poignant to me as his plays. He portrays the inner workings of humans as well as ever, but I'm not as up on the in and outs of the Orthadox Church as I feel I need to be to get the best effect.
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* -} https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VWrl... {- *
* -:}|{}|{:=:}|{}|{:- *
* -} Gestalt Psychology Simplified with Examples and Principles {- *
* -:}|{}|{: = MY SYNTHESISED ( ^ GESTALT ^ ) OF THE * -:}|{}|{:=:}|{}|{:- * ( WAY THE AUTHOR FRAMES = HIS WRITING PERSPECTIVES ) & ( POINTERS & IMPLICATIONS = the conclusion that can be drawn IMPLICITYLY from something although it is not EXPLICITLY stated ) = :}|{}|{:- *
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To SEE a WORLD in a Grain of Sand,
And a HEAVEN in a Wild Flower,
Hold INFINITY in the palm of your hand
And ETERNITY in an Hour"
~ William Blake ~
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Form is Emptiness; Emptiness is form.
Form is not different than Emptiness;
Emptiness is not different than form
~ Heart Sutra ~
Like the ocean and its waves,
inseparable yet distinct
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
" I and The Father are one,
I am The Truth,
The Life and The Path.”
Like a river flowing from its source,
connected and continuous
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
Thy kingdom come.
Let the reign of divine
Truth, Life, and Love
be established in me,
and rule out of me all sin;
and may Thy Word
enrich the affections of all mankind
A mighty oak tree standing firm against the storm,
As sunlight scatters the shadows of night
A river nourishing the land it flows through
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~}--- :}|{:-:}|{:- * FOLLOW 4 FOLLOW * -:}|{:-:}|{: ---{~
~}-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-{~
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~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
* -} https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VWrl... {- *
* -:}|{}|{:=:}|{}|{:- *
* -} Gestalt Psychology Simplified with Examples and Principles {- *
* -:}|{}|{: = MY SYNTHESISED ( ^ GESTALT ^ ) OF THE * -:}|{}|{:=:}|{}|{:- * ( WAY THE AUTHOR FRAMES = HIS WRITING PERSPECTIVES ) & ( POINTERS & IMPLICATIONS = the conclusion that can be drawn IMPLICITYLY from something although it is not EXPLICITLY stated ) = :}|{}|{:- *
* -:}|{}|{: = ? = }|{}|{:- *
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~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
To SEE a WORLD in a Grain of Sand,
And a HEAVEN in a Wild Flower,
Hold INFINITY in the palm of your hand
And ETERNITY in an Hour"
~ William Blake ~
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
Form is Emptiness; Emptiness is form.
Form is not different than Emptiness;
Emptiness is not different than form
~ Heart Sutra ~
Like the ocean and its waves,
inseparable yet distinct
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
" I and The Father are one,
I am The Truth,
The Life and The Path.”
Like a river flowing from its source,
connected and continuous
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
Thy kingdom come.
Let the reign of divine
Truth, Life, and Love
be established in me,
and rule out of me all sin;
and may Thy Word
enrich the affections of all mankind
A mighty oak tree standing firm against the storm,
As sunlight scatters the shadows of night
A river nourishing the land it flows through
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
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June 16, 2018
I loved these short stories - they are the ideal example of the art form of the short story and how they should perfectly be. Writers like Katherine Mansfield were hugely influenced by Checkov's work and I wonder why it's taken me so long to read his work. This collection is primarily concerned with religious life and representatives of the Russian church, from the rich, dying bishop of the titular story,who has become so grand that his impoverished family can no longer approach him; to the starving priest misjudged by the lord of the manor as dissolute. The final story about a young boy travelling across the Russian steppe with peasants in order to become an educated gentleman at school is also very fine, with beautiful evocations of the Russian landscape. These stories take time to read - they're not a quick read in order to get the most out of them. They are worth the effort though.
November 15, 2020
This should be named ' The Steppe and Other Stories' instead.
The Steppe is the story that is placed at the last and is the lengthiest of the lot. Unlike the rest of the stories, it revolves less around the themes of the clergy, the Church and narrates the story centered around a child who wrestles and copes with a transition in his life. In addition to that theme, the reader comes across many experiences through the journey across the endless steppe (which the author based on his journey through Ukraine).
The writing reads like poetry, where not even a blade of grass is devoid of any attention. I hope to re-read it down the line, for I loved and lived with the various experiences the protagonist had. with a familiarity akin to dreams dreamt while dozing in and out of sleep.
Oh, how good it would be to read it in its original language.
The Steppe is the story that is placed at the last and is the lengthiest of the lot. Unlike the rest of the stories, it revolves less around the themes of the clergy, the Church and narrates the story centered around a child who wrestles and copes with a transition in his life. In addition to that theme, the reader comes across many experiences through the journey across the endless steppe (which the author based on his journey through Ukraine).
The writing reads like poetry, where not even a blade of grass is devoid of any attention. I hope to re-read it down the line, for I loved and lived with the various experiences the protagonist had. with a familiarity akin to dreams dreamt while dozing in and out of sleep.
Oh, how good it would be to read it in its original language.
May 8, 2025
The first three stories are incredible — “The Letter,” about a disappointed dad who asks the local priest to write a strongly worded rebuke to his son, is especially memorable. (I have such a clear image of him sitting with the letter in the lamplight, adding his sweet postscript!)
I lost steam at “The Steppe.” It’s novella length, and I had been reading one story per commute, so that may be part of it. I also got tired of every Jewish character being characterized as lazy, ugly, etc; the biases of Chekhov’s era aside, it got in the way of his otherwise subtle and moving portraits of the many ways people can surprise each other.
I lost steam at “The Steppe.” It’s novella length, and I had been reading one story per commute, so that may be part of it. I also got tired of every Jewish character being characterized as lazy, ugly, etc; the biases of Chekhov’s era aside, it got in the way of his otherwise subtle and moving portraits of the many ways people can surprise each other.
November 13, 2021
Yet another beautiful work by Chekhov, with rich storytelling, and beautifully portrayed inner thoughts of the bishop Pyotr. Very reflective and thought provoking, and definitely a recommendation from me!
February 7, 2025
Common themes of religion, death, and despair course through Chekhov's work. His insistence on the importance of religion in a society, only then to pity and condemn the ultra-religious reflects polarising religious opinions that crept through at the time of Chekov's writings.
March 4, 2021
Another quick Chekhov tale which was just the Bishop - but this is the edition that linked across from Serial Reader so there you go.
Not as memorable as some of the others by him.
Not as memorable as some of the others by him.
February 17, 2022
A great carácter development in The Bishop.
February 21, 2022
любовь к миру сквозь призму веры и родных
March 15, 2022
Первый модернистский рассказ? (После повести "Огни", конечно же)
May 13, 2022
loved the murder, reminded me of hesse’s siddhartha soso much (without the redemption arc ofc)
January 8, 2025
Very very good.
The Murder dragged a bit for me but it was otherwise an amazing collection of short stories.
The Bishop changes my brain chemistry istg.
The Murder dragged a bit for me but it was otherwise an amazing collection of short stories.
The Bishop changes my brain chemistry istg.
February 18, 2026
7 stories:
The Bishop
The Letter
Easter Eve
A Nightmare
The Murder
Uprooted
The Steppe
The Bishop
The Letter
Easter Eve
A Nightmare
The Murder
Uprooted
The Steppe
January 29, 2023
Красиво, образно и так грустно
Read
December 10, 2021(I only read the Bishop story)
Dour, substle, and full of death.
Not exceedingly memorable on first read through.
Dour, substle, and full of death.
Not exceedingly memorable on first read through.
July 20, 2018
A touching portrait of a dying man, re-evaluating his life and priorities. Slightly fragmented, but I think that's the point.
Also all the more poignant because Chekhov wrote this while dying of TB. Autobiographical and lonesome.
Also all the more poignant because Chekhov wrote this while dying of TB. Autobiographical and lonesome.
December 23, 2021
I actually really enjoyed this short story, not because it was an uplifting story, but because the feelings were written so well. It was very human, and also very sad. I felt what the characters were feeling when reading it and enjoyed the writing style very much.
April 27, 2010
The stories don't seem to have much point or coherence between them but they are excellent vignettes of Russian life & spirituality back in Chekhov's day.
August 22, 2012
Greatest literary artist of all time. Translates excellently. Easter Mass and The Steppe were my favorites from this volume.
January 28, 2013
The Bishop and other stories by Anton (Tchehov) Chekhov from the Russian by Constance Garnett. A must read. We are so grateful for translators, who share the work of others with the world.
November 27, 2013
Very readable collection of well-written classical Russian short stories.
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