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Anton Chekhov - The Black Monk & Other Short Stories (Volume 7): Short story compilations from arguably the greatest short story writer ever.
The short story is often viewed as an inferior relation to the Novel. But it is an art in itself. To take a story and distil its essence into fewer pages while keeping character and plot rounded and driven is not an easy task. Many try and many fail. A widespread favourite of scholars, critics and causal readers alike, Anton Chekhov is one of the most challenging and enjoyable authors to read. Both a doctor and writer, Chekhov initially had little interest in literature, writing predominantly as a source of income. As recognition of his talents spread so his ambition grew he began to assert itself and history now acknowledges him as the greatest short story writer of all time.
142 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1915
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About the author
Anton Chekhov
5,901 books9,776 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 - 22 of 22 reviews
June 27, 2018
Senza orizzonti.
Ho letto questi tre racconti, compresi nella raccolta «I racconti della Maturità», subito dopo aver letto «La casa con il mezzanino - La signora con il cagnolino».
Inizialmente avevo pensato ad un unico commento ma dopo aver terminato «Il monaco nero» la mia impressione, poi confermata dalla lettura degli altri due, è stata che questi tre racconti fossero per certi aspetti molto diversi dagli altri due, e che mi spingessero a fare altre riflessioni.
Non è una questione di date, credo, perché tutto sommato sono tutti racconti della maturità, considerando poi il fatto che quella che definiamo maturità per Čechov è una maturità purtroppo relativa, essendo morto a soli quarantaquattro anni, quanto piuttosto, forse, dipendente dalla sua esperienza di vita quotidiana, quell'esperienza di vita che egli stesso raccontava essere divisa tra la moglie (la medicina) e (l'amante), la letteratura, scrivendo: «Quando l'una mi annoia, vado a letto con l'altra. Forse è disordinato ma non monotono».
Questo per dire che se da una parte anche in questi racconti, come negli altri due, è presente la contrapposizione dell'«uomo superfluo», l'artista che passa i suoi giorni nell'ozio e nella contemplazione del mondo e più spesso del proprio sogno di felicità e di amore, all'uomo che invece è meccanismo integrato della società in cui vive in termini di produttività e partecipazione attiva alla vita sociale e politica, se anche qui si contrappongono la mediocrità alla follia, la rinuncia all'amore al sogno dell'amore stesso, il matrimonio alla libertà, in questi racconti, più che negli altri, è presente, in tutto il suo pessimismo e in tutto il suo dramma, la sconfitta. Ecco, non c'è luce in questi tre racconti, non c'è orizzonte, ma solo rinuncia, rimpianto e morte, e se «La casa con il mezzanino» e «La signora con il cagnolino» avevano mostrato un sogno intravisto dietro ai veli del mistero, la vera natura dell'«uomo superfluo» e il suo desiderio di felicità, in questi altri scritti il sogno è sparito per lasciare spazio all'incubo, al buio della notte e al nero come la pece di un'esistenza umana che non trova scampo, neanche prendendo quel treno sul quale Nadja, «allegra, lasciò la città per sempre,» perché dopo quella virgola Anton Čechov non manca di aggiungere «o almeno così credeva».
Ho letto questi tre racconti, compresi nella raccolta «I racconti della Maturità», subito dopo aver letto «La casa con il mezzanino - La signora con il cagnolino».
Inizialmente avevo pensato ad un unico commento ma dopo aver terminato «Il monaco nero» la mia impressione, poi confermata dalla lettura degli altri due, è stata che questi tre racconti fossero per certi aspetti molto diversi dagli altri due, e che mi spingessero a fare altre riflessioni.
Non è una questione di date, credo, perché tutto sommato sono tutti racconti della maturità, considerando poi il fatto che quella che definiamo maturità per Čechov è una maturità purtroppo relativa, essendo morto a soli quarantaquattro anni, quanto piuttosto, forse, dipendente dalla sua esperienza di vita quotidiana, quell'esperienza di vita che egli stesso raccontava essere divisa tra la moglie (la medicina) e (l'amante), la letteratura, scrivendo: «Quando l'una mi annoia, vado a letto con l'altra. Forse è disordinato ma non monotono».
Questo per dire che se da una parte anche in questi racconti, come negli altri due, è presente la contrapposizione dell'«uomo superfluo», l'artista che passa i suoi giorni nell'ozio e nella contemplazione del mondo e più spesso del proprio sogno di felicità e di amore, all'uomo che invece è meccanismo integrato della società in cui vive in termini di produttività e partecipazione attiva alla vita sociale e politica, se anche qui si contrappongono la mediocrità alla follia, la rinuncia all'amore al sogno dell'amore stesso, il matrimonio alla libertà, in questi racconti, più che negli altri, è presente, in tutto il suo pessimismo e in tutto il suo dramma, la sconfitta. Ecco, non c'è luce in questi tre racconti, non c'è orizzonte, ma solo rinuncia, rimpianto e morte, e se «La casa con il mezzanino» e «La signora con il cagnolino» avevano mostrato un sogno intravisto dietro ai veli del mistero, la vera natura dell'«uomo superfluo» e il suo desiderio di felicità, in questi altri scritti il sogno è sparito per lasciare spazio all'incubo, al buio della notte e al nero come la pece di un'esistenza umana che non trova scampo, neanche prendendo quel treno sul quale Nadja, «allegra, lasciò la città per sempre,» perché dopo quella virgola Anton Čechov non manca di aggiungere «o almeno così credeva».
December 9, 2012
Ritornare a leggere narratori di tale calibro, ha l'effetto dirompente di una cura di disintossicazione. Ricordare di nuovo cosa significhi "evocare", "raccontare", "descrivere" è un'esperienza unica. Niente da fare, siamo di fronte a figure di una tale altezza, che la vita che ci circonda ci sembra un pallido surrogato della realtà. Il pensiero mi sconvolge. Citerò qui un tratto di ironia amara per la sorte mia (e di molte altre persone...):
"S'era laureato in lettere dieci anni prima, ma non era impiegato in nessun ufficio, non aveva alcuna occupazione precisa e solo di tanto in tanto partecipava a qualche concerto di beneficienza; così in città passava per artista".
Che dire: anche Anton me lo ricorda? Anche nella Russia zarista della seconda metà dell'Ottocento era così? E via, a riflettere sul senso della vita...
"S'era laureato in lettere dieci anni prima, ma non era impiegato in nessun ufficio, non aveva alcuna occupazione precisa e solo di tanto in tanto partecipava a qualche concerto di beneficienza; così in città passava per artista".
Che dire: anche Anton me lo ricorda? Anche nella Russia zarista della seconda metà dell'Ottocento era così? E via, a riflettere sul senso della vita...
May 4, 2013
Racconti diretti, stile lineare di facilissima lettura al punto da far dimenticare che sono scritti all'incirca 100 anni fa. I racconti hanno come filo conduttore il senso della vita. Cogliamo sin dai primi racconti l'obiettività dell'autore, intuiamo in lui un testimone imparziale che ci offre, in poche pagine, l'immagine dell'uomo nella sua quotidianità, impegnato ad illudersi ed ingannarsi per portare avanti la sua esistenza, per sollevarsi dalla mediocrità, per dare un senso ad ogni azione.
I protagonisti dei racconti sono sempre colti in un momento significativo della loro vita, che non è necessariamente un evento eccezionale, ma è il momento rivelatore dell'essenza del presente o del passato e ne definisce inevitabilmente il futuro.
Cechov riesce a cogliere e a trasmettere le tensioni profonde dell’uomo alle prese con la sua quotidianità svelando, attraverso una semplice descrizione dei gesti, dei pensieri e delle parole dei protagonisti, il segreto di una vita e spesso il suo tragico epilogo.
Il racconto che mi ha colpito di più è stato "Il monaco nero" ma li ho trovati splendidi tutti.
I protagonisti dei racconti sono sempre colti in un momento significativo della loro vita, che non è necessariamente un evento eccezionale, ma è il momento rivelatore dell'essenza del presente o del passato e ne definisce inevitabilmente il futuro.
Cechov riesce a cogliere e a trasmettere le tensioni profonde dell’uomo alle prese con la sua quotidianità svelando, attraverso una semplice descrizione dei gesti, dei pensieri e delle parole dei protagonisti, il segreto di una vita e spesso il suo tragico epilogo.
Il racconto che mi ha colpito di più è stato "Il monaco nero" ma li ho trovati splendidi tutti.
October 28, 2024
Questo mio primo approccio alla letteratura russa non é stato dei più felici. Dei tre racconti del volume, l'ultimo, “La fidanzata” é quello che mi é piaciuto di più. Semplice e lineare, racconta di una ragazza che poco prima del matrimonio viene assalita da moltissimi dubbi. Il secondo brevissimo racconto, “Dell'amore”, é poco chiaro e talmente breve da non avere il tempo di capirlo! Il primo, “Il monaco nero”, vede per protagonista un uomo con problemi psicologici a cui appare un monaco vestito di nero: rasenta l'assurdo e mi é parso noioso, ma é interessante perché l'autore porta ad essere concordi con il monaco.
March 16, 2024
(I read the "Il Sole 24 ORE" 2007 edition "Il monaco nero e altri racconti" translated from the Russian into Italian by Emanuela Guercetti and Giampietro Piretto. — This is an interesting (thin) little book, because from the pricing on the back, the book was bundled together with the Sunday edition of the newspaper "Il Sole 24 Ore" — the Italian financial newspaper of record and the leading financial daily in Italy. Sundays the paper publishes a supplement covering art, literature, philosophy, theater, cinema, book reviews, and such. On the back cover, in small print, it says (in Italian) that the package is priced at €2, with the book costing .50 and the paper 1.50, but that they are not to be sold separately. — What a great gimmick! What a great service! Introducing people to classic world literature in manageable doses for next-to-no cost! I'm sure quite a few Italians collected little libraries of these books. This one is 78 pages, so not terribly intimidating, and what a great introduction to Chekhov, or, as the Italians transliterate the Russian: Anton Čechov.)
The three stories are:
"Il monaco nero" (1894 — "The Black Monk" in English. Original title: "Чёрный монах")
"Dell'amore" (1898 — either "About Love" or "Concerning Love" in English, depending on the edition. Original title: "О любви")
"La fidanzata" (1903 — either "Betrothed" or "A Marriageable Girl" or "The Fiancée" or "The Bride" in English, depending on the edition: "The Fiancée" is the equivalent of the Italian title. Original Title: "Невеста")
I just happened on this book at random, and, sadly, this is the first I've read of Chekhov (Russian lit is a big gap in my reading), but I would definitely read more. Since I can't read Russian, I would have to read it in translation, and Italian is just as good as English. In fact, the translations in this edition read so smoothly and beautifully that I would just as soon stick with Italian for future forays into the works of Chekhov.
He's written over 500 short stories, as well as about a dozen or so plays, a novel, a half a dozen novellas, other shorter works — so there's plenty to choose from...
Basically, all three stories in this slender volume deal with love and marriage and problematic relationships, unhappiness, a yearning for something different and better — and all three stories are pretty dismal when you get down to it. But not in a bad way. Perhaps melancholic is a more apt word.
The stories all sounded fairly modern in tone to me, and the problems and characterizations remain relevant today.
All in all, a very encouraging introduction to a writer widely considered one of the world's finest.
The three stories are:
"Il monaco nero" (1894 — "The Black Monk" in English. Original title: "Чёрный монах")
"Dell'amore" (1898 — either "About Love" or "Concerning Love" in English, depending on the edition. Original title: "О любви")
"La fidanzata" (1903 — either "Betrothed" or "A Marriageable Girl" or "The Fiancée" or "The Bride" in English, depending on the edition: "The Fiancée" is the equivalent of the Italian title. Original Title: "Невеста")
I just happened on this book at random, and, sadly, this is the first I've read of Chekhov (Russian lit is a big gap in my reading), but I would definitely read more. Since I can't read Russian, I would have to read it in translation, and Italian is just as good as English. In fact, the translations in this edition read so smoothly and beautifully that I would just as soon stick with Italian for future forays into the works of Chekhov.
He's written over 500 short stories, as well as about a dozen or so plays, a novel, a half a dozen novellas, other shorter works — so there's plenty to choose from...
Basically, all three stories in this slender volume deal with love and marriage and problematic relationships, unhappiness, a yearning for something different and better — and all three stories are pretty dismal when you get down to it. But not in a bad way. Perhaps melancholic is a more apt word.
The stories all sounded fairly modern in tone to me, and the problems and characterizations remain relevant today.
All in all, a very encouraging introduction to a writer widely considered one of the world's finest.
August 20, 2019
Tre racconti distinti che hanno come filo conduttore l'inquietudine di vivere. Il racconto che da il nome al libro, Il monaco nero, incarna meglio di tutti questo sentimento: il monaco nero è il simbolo della gioia di vivere, del fermento intellettuale che animano il carattere del protagonista e che si scontra con uno stile di vita più pacato che vorrebbero invece i suoi familiari. C'è tutto lo stile di un grande scrittore.
October 6, 2018
Tre racconti brevi. Tre spunti di riflessione dall'ambientazione decisamente russa e tardo ottocentesca. Belli nella loro semplicità e linearità ma tipicamente velati di un alone di tristezza e drammaticità.
December 19, 2019
short stories based in the idiosyncratic human condition
July 19, 2020
Delicious language skills. Superb story telling. Characters with depth.
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April 5, 2021Letteratura russa
May 25, 2021
Timeless and sad. Narrated by George Guidall.
November 24, 2022
Beautifully written. Insightful!
October 5, 2024
I listened to this as an audiobook, narrated by George Guidall, who did a really fantastic job. I'm not sure if this edition is the actual set of Chekhov stories I listened to, but the stories were "The Black Monk," "Gooseberries," "The House with the Mezzanine," and "The Peasants." This was my first experience of Chekhov, and I loved the openings to all of these stories--he so quickly transports you into the mood of the places and the characters. "The Black Monk" was definitely my favorite, although once it was a really interesting examination of human relationships, genius, madness, inspiration, obsession, and there are some interesting gender things going on as well. Although I enjoyed the other stories to some degree, it is "The Black Monk" that I think I will most remember.
A quick note on "The Peasants"--this felt ultimately more like an attempt at a portrait of a poor, rural community than it did an actual story; the characters of the family felt abandoned in the latter half of the story, as we were treated to what seemed like a catalog of how Chekhov saw peasants as engaging with religion, dealing with the unjust tax system, etc. I was not very engaged here and found this the most hum-drum of the four stories.
I'm glad I've now had some exposure to Chekhov, and I look forward to reading or listening to more at some point.
A quick note on "The Peasants"--this felt ultimately more like an attempt at a portrait of a poor, rural community than it did an actual story; the characters of the family felt abandoned in the latter half of the story, as we were treated to what seemed like a catalog of how Chekhov saw peasants as engaging with religion, dealing with the unjust tax system, etc. I was not very engaged here and found this the most hum-drum of the four stories.
I'm glad I've now had some exposure to Chekhov, and I look forward to reading or listening to more at some point.
March 18, 2019
Checkov is one of those writers where what he doesn’t write is equally as important as what he does write, that is to say that half the the story can be found staked out by the words on the page and the other half neatly concealed in the gaps between the words. It means that unless your mind is far sharper than mine you might need a second or third read of his pieces of fiction in order pry from them their real value and to gain an appreciation for his intricately crafted characters. It can also be said that his accessibility is further impeded by his tendency towards didacticism, his politics and his social conscious spoken vicariously through his characters, but then he was writing during one of the most tumultuous political times in his countries history, and on the flip side it’s extraordinary how prophetic his words can be seen to have been. All in all, truth be told and contextual analysis aside, I have to say, I didn’t enjoy this as much as I thought I would... however I’m sure I will acquire the taste on further readings.
November 18, 2008
Chekov seems to me the prime example of the writer who writes without tricks... and his stories always come alive and are most original & varied, and impossible to imitate... tho he has influenced many.
The Black Monk presents a problem written about by many... but Chekhov does it without using a single word of the condescending diagnostic vocubulary... so that the character, & what enlightens & torments him, transcend the condition from which he can be said to suffer.
The Black Monk presents a problem written about by many... but Chekhov does it without using a single word of the condescending diagnostic vocubulary... so that the character, & what enlightens & torments him, transcend the condition from which he can be said to suffer.
December 15, 2011
Riflessioni su genio e follia, eccellenza e mediocrità, amore e ipocrisia. Scoprendo Čechov.
March 6, 2012
La pazzia, la follia, l'ipocrisia, il perbenismo.
Quattro racconti scritti dal genio de "Il giardino dei ciliegi"
Quattro racconti scritti dal genio de "Il giardino dei ciliegi"
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November 23, 2013good
June 4, 2016
Never before have I heard the details and pain of poverty explained so well: the lack of good housing, the lack of work, the lack of food, the lack of self-respect, and the effects on relationships.
June 4, 2016
Never before have I heard the details and pain of poverty explained so well: the lack of good housing, the lack of work, the lack of food, the lack of self-respect, and the effects on relationships.
September 1, 2021
Libro discreto e si legge tutto d'un fiato
April 15, 2017
There are 4 longer short stories of Chekhov here, and all are very enjoyable, with the title story being the best. What was life in 1890's Russia like for the common person? You could try reading history books, but your best bet is just to read Chekhov, assuming you don't want to put in the time and effort required for Dostoyevsky or Tolstoy. Besides tapping into great snapshots, he also has great insight into human nature and, still surprising to me, is very accessible as a modern reader.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews