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A Nervous Breakdown
"I did have hallucinations, but did they harm anyone? Who did they harm, that's what I'd like to know!"
From the supreme artist of the short story, three disturbing tales of supernatural hallucinations, hysterical obsession and moral decay.
From the supreme artist of the short story, three disturbing tales of supernatural hallucinations, hysterical obsession and moral decay.
104 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1895
196 people are currently reading
5292 people want to read
About the author
Anton Chekhov
5,893 books9,761 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 377 reviews
September 5, 2022
man finding out women are oppressed leads him to a mental breakdown, wish that happened more irl
April 5, 2020
I've been meaning to read something by Anton Chekhov for quite a while now, and I'm glad I finally did. A Nervous Breakdown was much more interesting than I'd expected.
This book consists of three short stories, the first two touch heavily on the topic of mental illness, while the third had little to do with it.
The first story, A Nervous Breakdown contains a surprisingly intriguing discussion about the morality of prostitution, and it was handled in a manner I did not expect from a story written in 1895.
- 4 stars
The Black Monk is a story about a man who sees a black monk that no one else perceives, i.e., a hallucination, but this does not alarm him, instead he feels happy and blessed. It was masterfully written, the plot carefully constructed, and the ending deeply fitting (although a bit disturbing).
- 5 stars
Anna Round the Neck is the shortest of the three, and blissfully so. It was quite promising at the beginning, but it ended too soon. That is, I felt that it was rushed and not very well-developed. The ending is not very satsifying.
- 3 stars
This book consists of three short stories, the first two touch heavily on the topic of mental illness, while the third had little to do with it.
The first story, A Nervous Breakdown contains a surprisingly intriguing discussion about the morality of prostitution, and it was handled in a manner I did not expect from a story written in 1895.
- 4 stars
The Black Monk is a story about a man who sees a black monk that no one else perceives, i.e., a hallucination, but this does not alarm him, instead he feels happy and blessed. It was masterfully written, the plot carefully constructed, and the ending deeply fitting (although a bit disturbing).
- 5 stars
Anna Round the Neck is the shortest of the three, and blissfully so. It was quite promising at the beginning, but it ended too soon. That is, I felt that it was rushed and not very well-developed. The ending is not very satsifying.
- 3 stars
December 23, 2024
2.5
Man realises women are human beings, develops basic empathy and has a breakdown
Man realises women are human beings, develops basic empathy and has a breakdown
August 21, 2021
Chekhov's men are not ok. Send help.
June 30, 2018
Hm... one can't know everything, of course... However capacious your brain is, it won't accommodate everything.
This collection includes three short stories.
A nervous breakdown: 4 stars. The character's internal conflict with prostitution was unexpected. An interesting debate there, Chekhov.
The black monk: 4 stars. A very vivid account of a man and his experience with happiness and hallucinations.
Anna round the neck: 2 stars. Luckily, it's the shortest story, or I'd have ended up with an actual nervous breakdown. Out of boredom. Also, not the smartest pick, as it had little to do with mental illness, so it felt like the last option to fill space.
June 29, 18
* Perhaps later on my blog.
July 27, 2023
Russian literature never fails to intrigue me with its mad, plagued, and anguished protagonists. The black monk is certainly my favorite of the three short stories.
July 6, 2022
i can’t decide if i actually enjoyed this book or if i was intrigued by it
November 11, 2024
Even though I expected to see a nervous breakdown and that was truly the only reason for my interest in this book, I was surprisingly impressed to get more out of it.
Since the description isn't telling anything about the story of this book I will add one here:
The short story 'A Nervous Breakdown' is about 3 students who visit a brothel. The philosophical meaning behind this book is about the question:
I was admiring Vassilyev (the law student) so much! He showed respect towards women, which most men don't unfortunately. There were so many moments he just spoke facts and I was like: Yes, yes, yes!
I think the meaning behind this book is certainly important. Therefore I'm wondering why it isn't that popular.
I belive that this book is quite straightforward for what it is trying to convey. Men don't get ruined they ruin while women get ruined, they don't ruin. I, of course don't mean everyone, I talk primarily about prostitution.
The quotation above, also highlights how most people don't concern themselves with the issue, but instead just ignore it, act like it doesn't exist. So many do this, to stay away from any issue, but Vassilyev acknowledges it, leading him to get a nervous breakdown, as he can't find an answer to the question, if prostitution is an evil or not.
The nervous breakdown is also well done. It made me feel uncomfortable and concerned, just like a bystander of a nervous breakdown probably would feel.
The ending had a deep meaning too. The question of the story was supressed instead of answered. This is not far off from reality, as many people who suffer from an unanswered question try to ease the symptoms they get along with it. The question might haven't been answered, but that made a greater impact on the reader than answering it.
StoryGraph review + content warnings
Read: 11. November 2024 - 11. November 2024
Since the description isn't telling anything about the story of this book I will add one here:
The short story 'A Nervous Breakdown' is about 3 students who visit a brothel. The philosophical meaning behind this book is about the question:
“Is prostitution an evil or not?”
I was admiring Vassilyev (the law student) so much! He showed respect towards women, which most men don't unfortunately. There were so many moments he just spoke facts and I was like: Yes, yes, yes!
“Don’t you dare to hit the women! I won’t let you, damnation take you! You scoundrels!”
I think the meaning behind this book is certainly important. Therefore I'm wondering why it isn't that popular.
I belive that this book is quite straightforward for what it is trying to convey. Men don't get ruined they ruin while women get ruined, they don't ruin. I, of course don't mean everyone, I talk primarily about prostitution.
[...]the souls of ruined women were a mystery to him as before; but it was clear to him that the thing was far worse than could have been believed. If that sinful woman who had poisoned herself was called fallen, it was difficult to find a fitting name for all these who were dancing now to this tangle of sound and uttering long, loathsome sentences. They were not on the road to ruin, but ruined.
The quotation above, also highlights how most people don't concern themselves with the issue, but instead just ignore it, act like it doesn't exist. So many do this, to stay away from any issue, but Vassilyev acknowledges it, leading him to get a nervous breakdown, as he can't find an answer to the question, if prostitution is an evil or not.
The nervous breakdown is also well done. It made me feel uncomfortable and concerned, just like a bystander of a nervous breakdown probably would feel.
The ending had a deep meaning too. The question of the story was supressed instead of answered. This is not far off from reality, as many people who suffer from an unanswered question try to ease the symptoms they get along with it. The question might haven't been answered, but that made a greater impact on the reader than answering it.
StoryGraph review + content warnings
Read: 11. November 2024 - 11. November 2024
May 24, 2020
The first two stories were some of Chekhov's finest focusing on a similar theme of mental anguish. The third breaking away from this theme though not bad wasn't as great as the first two and didn't seem to fit well in this collection.
December 5, 2021
A sleek matte black pocket sized book with a title which immediately caught my eye. But the inside was much more deeper than as I thought. Chekhov, famous for his short stories wrote these 3 disturbing tales of supernatural hallucinations, hysterical obsessions and moral decay. I personally enjoyed “Anne round the neck” which I think I would say, Anne whose marriage was a leash around her neck! I loved “The black monk” the most as it showed how gradually a person starts to live in the blurred line-between of his version of happiness and hallucination. Russian literature always intrigued me and this was indeed a good read.
June 4, 2020
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
I recently saw my first Chekhov play, Uncle Vanya, just before the lockdown. And seeing the masterly crafted sadness there, I was not surprised that the stories included in A Nervous Breakdown would also focus for a large part on mental health/happiness.
Especially the first two stories, A Nervous Breakdown and The Black Monk were very interesting, although I did think that the main character in A Nervous Breakdown, breaks down into the aforementioned breakdown rather quickly. The final story, about a young woman who finds out she shouldn't have married just for money, was maybe slightly less interesting but still a short and nice read.
~Little Black Classics #111~
I recently saw my first Chekhov play, Uncle Vanya, just before the lockdown. And seeing the masterly crafted sadness there, I was not surprised that the stories included in A Nervous Breakdown would also focus for a large part on mental health/happiness.
Especially the first two stories, A Nervous Breakdown and The Black Monk were very interesting, although I did think that the main character in A Nervous Breakdown, breaks down into the aforementioned breakdown rather quickly. The final story, about a young woman who finds out she shouldn't have married just for money, was maybe slightly less interesting but still a short and nice read.
~Little Black Classics #111~
September 1, 2018
There are three short stories in this collection and this time I decided to show you a really short summary of each one, with my short opinion about and after that my opinion about the entire collection.
I love the first story (A Nervous Breakdown)! This story is written so beautifully and I love the moral in this one! about a man called Vasilyev. His two friends bring him to a famous prostitute street, but all he can see is how disgusting and wrong that business is. He thinks about it all the time and doesn't understand why this is still a thing and would love to stop it (like why could men think it's okay and see women as animals?), 'cuz he only wants to be in love with a woman. He tries to think of a plan to stop this business, but then gets all mad and gets a nervous breakdown. His friends try to help him but also think he's kinda crazy.
The second story is called The Blank Monk, which is about a man who is bored with life and gets kinda crazy (a black monk ''comes by'' and gives him all the answers about life in general and how to be happy). I really liked this story, the only that bothered me though is why we never get to know what was in the letter at the beginning of this short story. I think that would have made the story even better, if it was explained (even if it was just a little).
The last story, called Anne Round Your Neck was awesome too. It's about an eighteen year old girl marries a fifty-two year old man, just because of his money, but she realizes that money shouldn't be the only thing to marry a man..
Again I loved all of the short stories. Penguin has done a great job when it comes to Anton Chekhov so I highly recommend his both little black classics. It made me want to read more by him now.
I love the first story (A Nervous Breakdown)! This story is written so beautifully and I love the moral in this one! about a man called Vasilyev. His two friends bring him to a famous prostitute street, but all he can see is how disgusting and wrong that business is. He thinks about it all the time and doesn't understand why this is still a thing and would love to stop it (like why could men think it's okay and see women as animals?), 'cuz he only wants to be in love with a woman. He tries to think of a plan to stop this business, but then gets all mad and gets a nervous breakdown. His friends try to help him but also think he's kinda crazy.
The second story is called The Blank Monk, which is about a man who is bored with life and gets kinda crazy (a black monk ''comes by'' and gives him all the answers about life in general and how to be happy). I really liked this story, the only that bothered me though is why we never get to know what was in the letter at the beginning of this short story. I think that would have made the story even better, if it was explained (even if it was just a little).
The last story, called Anne Round Your Neck was awesome too. It's about an eighteen year old girl marries a fifty-two year old man, just because of his money, but she realizes that money shouldn't be the only thing to marry a man..
Again I loved all of the short stories. Penguin has done a great job when it comes to Anton Chekhov so I highly recommend his both little black classics. It made me want to read more by him now.
April 20, 2020
Short stories by Chekhov of madness. I liked the first 2 stories (A Nervous Breakdown and The Black Monk) which focused more on obsessions that led to their suffering. Anna Round the Neck, the last story, was the weak one in this small collection.
January 15, 2025
I think the author meant for these stories to be serious, but especially the first one was just hilarious.
story 1: random dude feels alienated in a brothel and loses his mind over his responsibility to "solve" prostitution. Ends up having a nervous breakdown over it
story 2: a man gets "haunted" by monks dressed in black who appear on the horizon and tell him he's a genius. He marries a girl, then turns out to be really mean and torments her and her father. They try to cure him but he ends up running away because they're "endangering" his genius. He becomes a professor, starts a relationship with a woman who treats him like a baby, and when his wife's father dies, he dies too because he feels guilty (after seeing a monk again).
story 3: girl marries a really old disgusting man for money so she can support her alcoholic father and her brothers. She is scared of him at first, then finds her autonomy, insults him and starts living her best life. Her dad remains an alcoholic.
story 1: random dude feels alienated in a brothel and loses his mind over his responsibility to "solve" prostitution. Ends up having a nervous breakdown over it
story 2: a man gets "haunted" by monks dressed in black who appear on the horizon and tell him he's a genius. He marries a girl, then turns out to be really mean and torments her and her father. They try to cure him but he ends up running away because they're "endangering" his genius. He becomes a professor, starts a relationship with a woman who treats him like a baby, and when his wife's father dies, he dies too because he feels guilty (after seeing a monk again).
story 3: girl marries a really old disgusting man for money so she can support her alcoholic father and her brothers. She is scared of him at first, then finds her autonomy, insults him and starts living her best life. Her dad remains an alcoholic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2021
Three beautiful stories are included in this book. Nothing much happens in any of them besides the development of the main characters in a masterful indirect way. I love how simple the stories seem but manage to dig deep into human nature and consciousness. I love reading stories the focus of which are the dilemmas of the characters about norms, sanity, morals, values, and other matters. I loved the characters in spite of not being able to remember their names without going back to the stories: there’s a main character Andrey and a minor Andrew…. Now, tell me, how do I avoid mixing them?
My favorite out of the three was the second one “The Black Monk”. I’ll tell you why. One of the reasons I bought this collection (A Nervous Breakdown) instead of another I was about to (Gooseberries) was the quote printed in the first page of the edition which goes:
“I did have hallucinations, but did they harm anyone? Whom did they harm, that’s what I’d like to know?”
It was extracted from “The Black Monk”, and the quote is closely related to Kovrin’s journey of coming up with those questions –which are the core of the story.
Kovrin thinks that work helps in avoiding insanity, meaning that it makes one feel sane; but what does a “sane” society make of a person who only feels sane when working? The fact that many readers have found parts of themselves in Kovrin suggests that sanity isn’t what most people look for in this life anyway, so why should it be considered “the norm”?
This is a topic elaborated by literatures of all languages and I can’t wait to read pieces in which Chekhov (and his fellows) explore it further.
My favorite out of the three was the second one “The Black Monk”. I’ll tell you why. One of the reasons I bought this collection (A Nervous Breakdown) instead of another I was about to (Gooseberries) was the quote printed in the first page of the edition which goes:
“I did have hallucinations, but did they harm anyone? Whom did they harm, that’s what I’d like to know?”
It was extracted from “The Black Monk”, and the quote is closely related to Kovrin’s journey of coming up with those questions –which are the core of the story.
Kovrin thinks that work helps in avoiding insanity, meaning that it makes one feel sane; but what does a “sane” society make of a person who only feels sane when working? The fact that many readers have found parts of themselves in Kovrin suggests that sanity isn’t what most people look for in this life anyway, so why should it be considered “the norm”?
This is a topic elaborated by literatures of all languages and I can’t wait to read pieces in which Chekhov (and his fellows) explore it further.
November 6, 2016
A nervous breakdown - 3.8
The black monk - 3
Anna round the neck - 2
The black monk - 3
Anna round the neck - 2
January 17, 2021
I love both A Nervous Breakdown and The Black Monk cause it highlighted issues on psychological anxiety; the perspectives and perceptions.
In A Nervous Breakdown, Vasilyev feeling distressed after his visit to few brothels for the first time. Guilt, disgust and shame and of that little voices debating inside his mind that lead him to a symptom of a nervous breakdown. A quirky storytelling, quite distressing but entertaining.
The Black Monk was quite harrowing but I love the idea and its characters development. An interesting view of hallucinations, Kovrin chatty session with the black monk quite addictive and bizarre; somehow I admire the imaginary he creates, the delirium and excitements. "I was going out of my mind but I was bright and cheerful, even happy." Too bad, there's no happy ending at the end.
The third story has the lightest narrative compared to the previous two stories. Anna Round The Neck revolves around a story of a young girl marrying a rich old civil servant for money. The narrative following her new life and hope to gain financial stability, her realisation of the actual intention, view on morality and responsibilities/adulthood.
Overall, I love Chekhov's style of narration, like a bleak vignette-- depressive but vivid.
In A Nervous Breakdown, Vasilyev feeling distressed after his visit to few brothels for the first time. Guilt, disgust and shame and of that little voices debating inside his mind that lead him to a symptom of a nervous breakdown. A quirky storytelling, quite distressing but entertaining.
The Black Monk was quite harrowing but I love the idea and its characters development. An interesting view of hallucinations, Kovrin chatty session with the black monk quite addictive and bizarre; somehow I admire the imaginary he creates, the delirium and excitements. "I was going out of my mind but I was bright and cheerful, even happy." Too bad, there's no happy ending at the end.
The third story has the lightest narrative compared to the previous two stories. Anna Round The Neck revolves around a story of a young girl marrying a rich old civil servant for money. The narrative following her new life and hope to gain financial stability, her realisation of the actual intention, view on morality and responsibilities/adulthood.
Overall, I love Chekhov's style of narration, like a bleak vignette-- depressive but vivid.
February 24, 2022
Really good russian classic short stories about mental illnesses tbh
November 19, 2023
A summary:
Oh no prostitution
Oh no prostitution
December 16, 2023
This book is composed of 3 stories about mental illness: a nervous breakdown, a manic episode, and being a woman (arguably the worst of the 3).
May 16, 2024
They have to stop writing books about me fr fr
April 5, 2023
Meh, these were a lame set of three stories from Chekhov, the best of the bunch being The Black Monk.
A Nervous Breakdown and Anna Round The Neck I thought were pretty pointless stories with no real meaning or trajectory.
The Black Monk at least had some believable characters and a semi-interesting story but it wasn't enough to hold this triptych of a mess together.
Off to the library with my copy.
A Nervous Breakdown and Anna Round The Neck I thought were pretty pointless stories with no real meaning or trajectory.
The Black Monk at least had some believable characters and a semi-interesting story but it wasn't enough to hold this triptych of a mess together.
Off to the library with my copy.
December 10, 2024
Three stories of women’s dignity through three different classes, features madness but women drive Chekhov mad.
The first story is moral but unconvincing, looking at the causes of abuse in sex work. The idea stumbles and forces its way through simple prose.
No distinct conclusion is drawn, but the pieces are laid out and I take from it that prostitution is exploitative in its entirety, regardless of era or circumstance (including self-employment) - If she didn’t need to eat or be sheltered, she wouldn’t be having sex with you. Although I would say it’s not moral for the particular woman to stay in the position, clearly there is a lack of choice by coercion, necessity, and circumstance. Proprietors and consumers (i.e men) take major blame in turning a blind eye to abuses so that women can serve their lust or greed, making them numb to want of rescue. Clearly a deeper societal issue arises as a cause, tolerance of moral vice and economic inequality.
The second story feels incomplete and I’m not sure why it was written.
The wisdom taken from it is that milk and rest are more effective in treating mental illness than doctor’s potions that turn you into a brainless golem.
Wife’s favourite song: Black Beauty - LDR
The third story is unremarkable but has nice ideas about family dynamics as a result of class movement.
The first story is moral but unconvincing, looking at the causes of abuse in sex work. The idea stumbles and forces its way through simple prose.
No distinct conclusion is drawn, but the pieces are laid out and I take from it that prostitution is exploitative in its entirety, regardless of era or circumstance (including self-employment) - If she didn’t need to eat or be sheltered, she wouldn’t be having sex with you. Although I would say it’s not moral for the particular woman to stay in the position, clearly there is a lack of choice by coercion, necessity, and circumstance. Proprietors and consumers (i.e men) take major blame in turning a blind eye to abuses so that women can serve their lust or greed, making them numb to want of rescue. Clearly a deeper societal issue arises as a cause, tolerance of moral vice and economic inequality.
The second story feels incomplete and I’m not sure why it was written.
The wisdom taken from it is that milk and rest are more effective in treating mental illness than doctor’s potions that turn you into a brainless golem.
Wife’s favourite song: Black Beauty - LDR
The third story is unremarkable but has nice ideas about family dynamics as a result of class movement.
Read
January 5, 2023I <3 CHEKHOV
December 13, 2019
Like any other kind of life- pleasure. True pleasure is knowledge, and eternal life will afford innumerable and inexhaustible sources of knowledge: this is the meaning of the saying, “ in my father’s house are many mandions “
My friend, only the mediocre, the common herd are healthy and normal. Thoughts about an age of neurosis, overwork, degeneracy and so on can seriously worry only those for whom the purpose of life lies in the present- that is, the common herd.
But why ? The monk said in astonishment. Is joy something supernatural? Shouldn’t it be looked on as man’s normal state? The higher man’s intellectual and moral development, the freer he is and the more pleasure life gives him. Socrates, Diogenes and Marcus Aurelius experienced joy, not sadness. And the Apostle says “Rejoice evermore”. So rejoice and be happy.
How fortunate Buddha, Muhammad or Shakespeare were in not being treated by kind-hearted relatives for ecstasy and inspiration ! Kovrin said ‘If Muhammad had taken potassium bromide for his nerves, had worked only two hours a day and drunk milk, then that remarkable man would have left as much prosperity as his dog. In the long run doctors and kind relatives will turn humanity into a lot of morons. Mediocrity will pass for genius and civilization will perish.
My friend, only the mediocre, the common herd are healthy and normal. Thoughts about an age of neurosis, overwork, degeneracy and so on can seriously worry only those for whom the purpose of life lies in the present- that is, the common herd.
But why ? The monk said in astonishment. Is joy something supernatural? Shouldn’t it be looked on as man’s normal state? The higher man’s intellectual and moral development, the freer he is and the more pleasure life gives him. Socrates, Diogenes and Marcus Aurelius experienced joy, not sadness. And the Apostle says “Rejoice evermore”. So rejoice and be happy.
How fortunate Buddha, Muhammad or Shakespeare were in not being treated by kind-hearted relatives for ecstasy and inspiration ! Kovrin said ‘If Muhammad had taken potassium bromide for his nerves, had worked only two hours a day and drunk milk, then that remarkable man would have left as much prosperity as his dog. In the long run doctors and kind relatives will turn humanity into a lot of morons. Mediocrity will pass for genius and civilization will perish.
August 14, 2019
I tried, I really did. I read a bit of Selected Stories of Anton Chekhov, most of Chehov Plays, and still -- I am failing to get into Chekhov, who is often referred to as the greatest short story writer. It is sad to think that, somehow, I could not appreciate his work.
I do not have much to say about this collection. A Nervous Breakdown was quite a solid depiction of mental disintegration. For its occupation with hysterical obsession, a favourite theme of mine, The Black Monk was not good, and I was desperate for it to end. Anne Round the Neck was too short for me to make a judgement.
I do not have much to say about this collection. A Nervous Breakdown was quite a solid depiction of mental disintegration. For its occupation with hysterical obsession, a favourite theme of mine, The Black Monk was not good, and I was desperate for it to end. Anne Round the Neck was too short for me to make a judgement.
August 4, 2016
Again, a 3 1/2. Three short stories, involving breakdowns and hallucinations. I had the feeling that something was missing, that the material has a lot of potential, but the medium of the short story was ill-fitting. A novella of maybe a 100 pages each would have developed the stories more, given that both the hallucinations and the nervous breakdown of the characters in the two main stories seem to happen from one minute to the other, which is very unrealistic in my opinion. But I praise Chekov for raising the topic of prostitution in the 19th century in such a critical manner that it could very likely still be the subject of much debate among (non-) feminist groups today.
June 12, 2022
Super.... I didnt like it. :D
You know how the cherry orchard was oddly slow and kinda boring but at the same time really fascinating. Well... this is that but without the fascinating part.
Theres a nervous break down and a doctor who should stay in a garden and blah blah.
Do not recommend.
But... I am probably missing something important because chekhov is famous and therefore awesome right?
You know how the cherry orchard was oddly slow and kinda boring but at the same time really fascinating. Well... this is that but without the fascinating part.
Theres a nervous break down and a doctor who should stay in a garden and blah blah.
Do not recommend.
But... I am probably missing something important because chekhov is famous and therefore awesome right?
February 3, 2020
The title relates to three short stories that make up this fairly small volume. I never knew about Chekhov's stories (just his plays) so these came a a pleasant surprise. All 3 stories are quirky but compelling. So well written and somewhat reminiscent of some of Dostoevsky in its simple but direct language, while getting straight to the heart of the inexplicable aspects of human nature.
February 26, 2021
There is not much to say especially when you're talking about Chekhov. The book has three stories. two of them trying to show an aspect of soul breaking from an existential crisis. if you love Chekov you're going to love him even more after reading this masterpiece.
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