What do you think?
Rate this book
Спать хочется
Антон Павлович Чехов - великий русский писатель, "главный" драматург двадцатого века создал за 26 лет своей литературной деятельности около тысячи произведений, без которых невозможно представить сегодня ни кино, ни сцену, ни книжный магазин в любом городе мира.
11 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1888
2 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
Anton Chekhov
6,002 books9,833 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
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
July 20, 2025
Chekhov’s short story “Sleepy” was absolutely horrifying… We follow the life of Varka, a 13-year-old girl, who gradually descends into madness, which, in the end, leads to gruesome consequences.
I really liked the imagery that was utilised by Chekhov to illustrate and draw parallels to her internal thoughts and state of (unstable) psyche. This short story partially reminded me of “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Gilman due to the increasing hyperfixation of the protagonists on objects having a detrimental meaning in connection to their descent into madness.
I really liked the imagery that was utilised by Chekhov to illustrate and draw parallels to her internal thoughts and state of (unstable) psyche. This short story partially reminded me of “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Gilman due to the increasing hyperfixation of the protagonists on objects having a detrimental meaning in connection to their descent into madness.
January 17, 2017
Poor Varka. Just reading through her day makes me tired. Like why the hell are her masters so hell bent on using her? She ain't a robot. She's a freaking person?? Right?? Chekhov starts and ends with the baby, but doesn't romanticize the baby. All it is is a thing of dread. The imagery of pastures and the muddy road slows down the story and you get an inkling of the type of craziness Varka is getting pushed into. Btw Varka, things grow bigger when you nod your head because you're sleepy. The green patch is the ceiling she looks up at as she's falling asleep? Hm.
Read
June 14, 2021Der größte Betrug auf goodreads ist ja einzelne Kurzgeschichten als ganze Bücher zu listen. Naja, arme Varka
January 27, 2023
Chekhov really knows how to transmit to us the plight of neglected people.
May 15, 2024
What a chilling short story. Even though I knew this was somehow a mystery, I still did not expect the plot twist ending. The imagery was absolutely PERFECT, and seemed very reminiscent of a real person trying not to fall asleep while still displaying the fear poor Varka feels at being maltreated and ill-used. Very well-worded.
August 23, 2025
Haunting. Chekhov makes you feel awash in drowsiness and longing for sleep. Then the nightmare starts.
January 20, 2019
"تريد أن تنام" «спать хочется «
أيها النوم الحلو الحبيب، ماذا نفعل لننعم بك؟
أتمنى أن لا يُحرم احد منك مثل ڤاركا المسكينة😨
كُن أرجوك سلطاناً رحيماً ولا تجعل من الأطفال الصغار عفاريت تسرق نومنا👼
أتمنى أن يحل الأرق على مخدومي ڤاركا🌚
😴🛏😴🛏😴🛏😴🛏😴🛏😴🛏
Любимый сладкий сон, как мы тебя любим и как нам ты нужен
Бедная бедная Варька...😰
أيها النوم الحلو الحبيب، ماذا نفعل لننعم بك؟
أتمنى أن لا يُحرم احد منك مثل ڤاركا المسكينة😨
كُن أرجوك سلطاناً رحيماً ولا تجعل من الأطفال الصغار عفاريت تسرق نومنا👼
أتمنى أن يحل الأرق على مخدومي ڤاركا🌚
😴🛏😴🛏😴🛏😴🛏😴🛏😴🛏
Любимый сладкий сон, как мы тебя любим и как нам ты нужен
Бедная бедная Варька...😰
May 15, 2023
read this today in class haha
loved it!!
very dark, makes me very sad to know people actually lived like this
loved it!!
very dark, makes me very sad to know people actually lived like this
May 5, 2023
Sleepy is a short story written by Anton Chekhov, a renowned Russian writer and playwright. The story was first published in 1888 and is one of Chekhov's lesser-known works. Despite this, it is still a fascinating read that explores themes of love, class, and social expectations.
Sleepy is set in rural Russia and centers around a young woman named Varka, who works as a servant in the household of a wealthy landowner. The story was written during a period of great social and political upheaval in Russia, and Chekhov's portrayal of the class divide between Varka and her employer reflects this tension.
One of the unique qualities of Sleepy is its use of dream sequences to explore Varka's subconscious desires and fears. The story also features vivid descriptions of the natural world, highlighting Chekhov's skill as a writer and his appreciation for the beauty of the countryside.
The central theme of Sleepy is the tension between duty and desire. Varka is torn between her love for a young man named Dyudya and her sense of duty to her employer. Her struggle to reconcile these conflicting emotions is made even more difficult by the rigid social expectations of the time.
In the end, Sleepy is a poignant story that speaks to the human condition. It highlights the ways in which social norms and class distinctions can limit our ability to pursue our dreams and find true happiness. The story serves as a reminder that, no matter our circumstances, we all have the capacity to love and dream.
Sleepy is set in rural Russia and centers around a young woman named Varka, who works as a servant in the household of a wealthy landowner. The story was written during a period of great social and political upheaval in Russia, and Chekhov's portrayal of the class divide between Varka and her employer reflects this tension.
One of the unique qualities of Sleepy is its use of dream sequences to explore Varka's subconscious desires and fears. The story also features vivid descriptions of the natural world, highlighting Chekhov's skill as a writer and his appreciation for the beauty of the countryside.
The central theme of Sleepy is the tension between duty and desire. Varka is torn between her love for a young man named Dyudya and her sense of duty to her employer. Her struggle to reconcile these conflicting emotions is made even more difficult by the rigid social expectations of the time.
In the end, Sleepy is a poignant story that speaks to the human condition. It highlights the ways in which social norms and class distinctions can limit our ability to pursue our dreams and find true happiness. The story serves as a reminder that, no matter our circumstances, we all have the capacity to love and dream.
May 10, 2020
ماجرای داستان چیه؟
دختر سیزدهسالهای به اسم وارکا که به علت فقر به کلفتی فرستادنش و حالا صبح تا شب باید کار کنه اما شب تا صبح هم حق خواب نداره چون باید گهواره نوزاد ارباب رو تکون بده. توی حالت خواب و بیدارش وارکا خانوادهاش رو میبینه و رویا میبافه.
نمادها:
چخوف برای تاثیرگذاری عمیقتر از قهرمان خردسال استفاده میکنه. البته بهتره بگم کودک. توی اکثر داستانهای چخوف که مربوط به کودکانه، اتفاق غمانگیزی رخ میده.
رنگ سبز برای چخوف، نماد شوم مرگه که وارکا بارها میبینتش.
پیام داستان:
چیزی که چخوف میخواد در وارکای بیچاره و درمونده نشونمون بده، چهرهی فلاکتبار فقره و تبعاتی که به همراه داره. میتونم بگم اینجا "آدم گرسنه دین و ایمون نداره" صدق میکنه. وارکا چشماش رو میبنده و حاضره واسه خوابیدن هر کاری بکنه.
داستان رو اول به زبان فارسی از نوار و بار دوم از سایت https://akniga.org/chehov-anton-spat-... گوش دادم. داستان به زبان فارسی "خوابآلود" ترجمه شده که حدس میزنم علتش ترجمه از نسخه انگلیسی (sleepy) باشه اما به زبان روسی میشه : خوابم میآد.
Из текста "Спать хочется" А. П. Чехова:
-"Баю-баюшки-баю,
А я песенку спою..."
-"Коли смерть пришла, что уж тут."
دختر سیزدهسالهای به اسم وارکا که به علت فقر به کلفتی فرستادنش و حالا صبح تا شب باید کار کنه اما شب تا صبح هم حق خواب نداره چون باید گهواره نوزاد ارباب رو تکون بده. توی حالت خواب و بیدارش وارکا خانوادهاش رو میبینه و رویا میبافه.
نمادها:
چخوف برای تاثیرگذاری عمیقتر از قهرمان خردسال استفاده میکنه. البته بهتره بگم کودک. توی اکثر داستانهای چخوف که مربوط به کودکانه، اتفاق غمانگیزی رخ میده.
رنگ سبز برای چخوف، نماد شوم مرگه که وارکا بارها میبینتش.
پیام داستان:
چیزی که چخوف میخواد در وارکای بیچاره و درمونده نشونمون بده، چهرهی فلاکتبار فقره و تبعاتی که به همراه داره. میتونم بگم اینجا "آدم گرسنه دین و ایمون نداره" صدق میکنه. وارکا چشماش رو میبنده و حاضره واسه خوابیدن هر کاری بکنه.
داستان رو اول به زبان فارسی از نوار و بار دوم از سایت https://akniga.org/chehov-anton-spat-... گوش دادم. داستان به زبان فارسی "خوابآلود" ترجمه شده که حدس میزنم علتش ترجمه از نسخه انگلیسی (sleepy) باشه اما به زبان روسی میشه : خوابم میآد.
Из текста "Спать хочется" А. П. Чехова:
-"Баю-баюшки-баю,
А я песенку спою..."
-"Коли смерть пришла, что уж тут."
July 10, 2025
Под каким морфием был Чехов когда писал этот рассказ
October 20, 2024
Horrific !
January 1, 2021
Now, that's what I call a happy ending.
May 30, 2023
این داستان، بخشی از زندگی یک دختر نوجوان را روایت میكند كه در خانهای كنیز است. از صبح تا شب باید به كارهای خانه رسیدگی كند و شب تا صبح هم كنار گهوارهی كودک صاحبخانه بیدار بنشیند و گهواره را تكان دهد. اگر برای لحظهای خوابش ببرد نوزاد شروع میكند به گریه كردن و آنگاه است كه مرد یا زن صاحبخانه او را به باد كتک میگیرند. با طلوع خورشید هم دوباره كارهای خانه شروع میشوند: نظافت، پخت و پز، آوردن آب، خرید و...؛ او پس از مدتی در تنگنای شرایط فیزیکی و ذهنی، کودک را به قتل میرساند تا بتواند آسوده بخوابد. درونمایهی این اثر، به جنایت و مکافات شباهت دارد.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
May 14, 2024You can feel the dizziness that he described.
“She sits down on the floor, cleans the goloshes, and thinks how nice it would be to put her head into a big deep golosh, and have a little nap in it… And all at once the golosh grows, swells, fills up the whole room. Varka drops the brush, but at once shakes her head, opens her eyes wide, and tries to look at things so that they may not grow big and move before her eyes.”
“She sits down on the floor, cleans the goloshes, and thinks how nice it would be to put her head into a big deep golosh, and have a little nap in it… And all at once the golosh grows, swells, fills up the whole room. Varka drops the brush, but at once shakes her head, opens her eyes wide, and tries to look at things so that they may not grow big and move before her eyes.”
January 30, 2019
OH dear god!
ادبیات روسیه برای من هربار سورپرایز و شگفتی بوده، چه کوتاه و چه بلند. داستانی کوتاه، بدون اضافاتِ کلام و فاقد هرگونه دستبردن در آرایش صحنه. تلاش چخوف برای صحنهسازی بدون دستکاریِ بیشازحد ذهن خواننده ستودنیه.
ادبیات روسیه برای من هربار سورپرایز و شگفتی بوده، چه کوتاه و چه بلند. داستانی کوتاه، بدون اضافاتِ کلام و فاقد هرگونه دستبردن در آرایش صحنه. تلاش چخوف برای صحنهسازی بدون دستکاریِ بیشازحد ذهن خواننده ستودنیه.
August 6, 2020
These a few pages explains how to be a person surrender to his emotion. I love the ambiguous writing which carries various message.
November 18, 2021
Lack of food can render you dead, lack of sleep - deadly.
February 5, 2026
Poor ol' Varka! All she wants is a little bit of sleep.
Do this! Do that! Always something to do. Always someone yelling at her.
I liked how the Dream Sequences wove their way in and out and around the narrative. Adding a surreal quality to Varka's memories of her past as they got tangled up with the surreal quality of her Waking Moments.
I could feel her sleepiness dragging at her. How it pulled her down. How badly it begged for release.
And who doesn't like a story that ends with a Baby Murder.
It was fun to listen to over my Morning Coffee.
Do this! Do that! Always something to do. Always someone yelling at her.
I liked how the Dream Sequences wove their way in and out and around the narrative. Adding a surreal quality to Varka's memories of her past as they got tangled up with the surreal quality of her Waking Moments.
I could feel her sleepiness dragging at her. How it pulled her down. How badly it begged for release.
And who doesn't like a story that ends with a Baby Murder.
It was fun to listen to over my Morning Coffee.
September 13, 2025
There is a dream-like and surrealistic feeling to this story, which is only highlighted further when whenever the poor servant protagonist is forced back into her life of drudgery. The writing is imaginative and colorful, and the ending plot twist was quite unexpected! A very Russian story, indeed...
July 27, 2021
Sleep deprivation was used to detect witches vide "The Discovery of Witches" 1647. . . and it never failed.
December 11, 2021
Crying children may make you go crazy. Sleep deprivation is the worst torture.
May 5, 2022
A força imaginativa e descritiva aliada com um trágico fim.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2022
A reminder to have enough rest and sleep.
September 29, 2022
3.5 stars
August 7, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 12, 2024
Chekhov at his haunting best
January 19, 2024
Really good short story about sleeplessness and insanity it brings.
Read
September 1, 2024Why are Russian kids reading it in the fourth grade ?!
September 5, 2024
Chekhov masterful storytelling makes the predictable unpredictable. Varka’s sudden and dramatic descent into insanity shattered the seemingly circular nature of the plot.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews