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The Chekhov Collection of Short Stories
Whilst Anton Chekhov (1860-1904) is perhaps best for his plays such as Uncle Vanya and The Seagull, he was also a prolific author of short stories.
In this exclusive collection, Audible presents six of his most-celebrated short stories, chosen and performed by Richard Armitage.
Richard, whose interest in the work of Chekhov was sparked by his appearance as Astrov in a stage production of Uncle Vanya, also introduces the collection with a brief overview of each of the stories and his thoughts on why Chekhov's short stories are not to be missed.
The collection contains the following stories:
Ward 6
In a mental asylum, a patient comes into conflict with a director of the institution.
The Kiss
During a party, a man becomes infatuated by a woman who accidentally kisses him in the dark.
Betrothed
A young woman strives to asset her independence by choosing education over an arranged marriage.
The Black Monk
An ageing scholar experiences strange hallucinations. Is he a genius, or is he insane?
Neighbours
A beautiful young woman subverts society expectations by going to live with her neighbour, an older, married man.
The Student
A depressed young student has his spirits lifted by recounting an religious story to two strangers.
In this exclusive collection, Audible presents six of his most-celebrated short stories, chosen and performed by Richard Armitage.
Richard, whose interest in the work of Chekhov was sparked by his appearance as Astrov in a stage production of Uncle Vanya, also introduces the collection with a brief overview of each of the stories and his thoughts on why Chekhov's short stories are not to be missed.
The collection contains the following stories:
Ward 6
In a mental asylum, a patient comes into conflict with a director of the institution.
The Kiss
During a party, a man becomes infatuated by a woman who accidentally kisses him in the dark.
Betrothed
A young woman strives to asset her independence by choosing education over an arranged marriage.
The Black Monk
An ageing scholar experiences strange hallucinations. Is he a genius, or is he insane?
Neighbours
A beautiful young woman subverts society expectations by going to live with her neighbour, an older, married man.
The Student
A depressed young student has his spirits lifted by recounting an religious story to two strangers.
7 pages, Audible Audio
Published June 11, 2020
49 people are currently reading
206 people want to read
About the author
Anton Chekhov
5,893 books9,764 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 78 reviews
June 10, 2021
A set of six short stories from Anton Chekhov, which I listened to on audiobook and in English translation. The audio version has an excellent narration from the actor Richard Armitage.
In Ward No. 6, the central character is a disillusioned and apathetic doctor, living in the main town of a remote region. In theory he is in charge of the town hospital, but he does nothing except collect his salary. The conditions within the hospital are appalling, and government officials steal the hospital funds for themselves. Everyone in the town knows these things but no-one cares. They are accepted as being the norm. It seemed to me that Chekhov was making a point here about 19th century Russian society.
One day, the doctor takes a notion to visit the ward for mentally ill patients, where he gets into conversation with an intelligent man suffering from paranoia, an action that has consequences. This story has a theme common to several of the others, which is the question of how to lead a meaningful life. For me it was also a story about conformity, and the dangers of not conforming.
In The Kiss, a group of artillery officers on an exercise are invited to supper at the nearby home of a retired General. One of the officers, Ryabovich, is shy and socially awkward. He gets lost moving around in the mansion and finds himself in a darkened area, where he is suddenly embraced and kissed by a woman who is awaiting a tryst with her lover. Realising her mistake the woman flees, but this comical incident has a major effect on Ryabovich. In some ways the story seemed a bit unbelievable, because his reaction is so disproportionate. However, I really liked the ending to this one.
In The Bride, a young woman weeks away from her marriage starts to have second thoughts. For a 19th century story, I thought this one had a surprisingly modern theme. A secondary character in this story is a young man dying of Consumption (Tuberculosis), as of course Chekhov himself was. Again, it’s on the theme of a meaningful life.
In The Black Monk, Chekhov returns to the theme of madness. The lead character, Kovrin, suffers both from this and from TB, although it is the mental illness that is at the crux of this story. As with so many of these tales, the central character cannot stop thinking about whether his life has been worthwhile. Chekhov seems to have been very taken with this theme! There seems to be a suggestion in this story that madness is linked with genius, and there’s definitely a thread about how mental illness affects others. The reader can’t help thinking that Chekhov’s own situation influenced the inclusion of another character who is dying of TB.
Neighbours is a story in which a beautiful young woman, Zina, has run off with a married man, thereby bringing social disgrace upon her family, Everyone expects Zina’s older brother Pyotr to take action, but he’s at a loss to know what to do. I feel that this story covered similar issues to both Ward No.6 and The Black Monk, in that it’s about the pressure to conform, and the consequences of not doing so. Even though Zina believes that her unmarried union is as sacred as a marriage, neither she nor her family can escape the consequences of her decision.
Sitting around an evening campfire on Good Friday, the main character of The Student tells two woman the story of how St. Peter denied Christ three times. The women are deeply moved by the story, and this leads the student into a sort of epiphany of his own. This is a very short story and I can’t say more without introducing spoilers.
I enjoyed the stories but found the first three better than those that followed. I suspect this was because a lot of them are similar in theme and so the later stories started to sound repetitive. A mix of 3 and 4 star ratings for the individual tales, rounded up for the overall rating.
In Ward No. 6, the central character is a disillusioned and apathetic doctor, living in the main town of a remote region. In theory he is in charge of the town hospital, but he does nothing except collect his salary. The conditions within the hospital are appalling, and government officials steal the hospital funds for themselves. Everyone in the town knows these things but no-one cares. They are accepted as being the norm. It seemed to me that Chekhov was making a point here about 19th century Russian society.
One day, the doctor takes a notion to visit the ward for mentally ill patients, where he gets into conversation with an intelligent man suffering from paranoia, an action that has consequences. This story has a theme common to several of the others, which is the question of how to lead a meaningful life. For me it was also a story about conformity, and the dangers of not conforming.
In The Kiss, a group of artillery officers on an exercise are invited to supper at the nearby home of a retired General. One of the officers, Ryabovich, is shy and socially awkward. He gets lost moving around in the mansion and finds himself in a darkened area, where he is suddenly embraced and kissed by a woman who is awaiting a tryst with her lover. Realising her mistake the woman flees, but this comical incident has a major effect on Ryabovich. In some ways the story seemed a bit unbelievable, because his reaction is so disproportionate. However, I really liked the ending to this one.
In The Bride, a young woman weeks away from her marriage starts to have second thoughts. For a 19th century story, I thought this one had a surprisingly modern theme. A secondary character in this story is a young man dying of Consumption (Tuberculosis), as of course Chekhov himself was. Again, it’s on the theme of a meaningful life.
In The Black Monk, Chekhov returns to the theme of madness. The lead character, Kovrin, suffers both from this and from TB, although it is the mental illness that is at the crux of this story. As with so many of these tales, the central character cannot stop thinking about whether his life has been worthwhile. Chekhov seems to have been very taken with this theme! There seems to be a suggestion in this story that madness is linked with genius, and there’s definitely a thread about how mental illness affects others. The reader can’t help thinking that Chekhov’s own situation influenced the inclusion of another character who is dying of TB.
Neighbours is a story in which a beautiful young woman, Zina, has run off with a married man, thereby bringing social disgrace upon her family, Everyone expects Zina’s older brother Pyotr to take action, but he’s at a loss to know what to do. I feel that this story covered similar issues to both Ward No.6 and The Black Monk, in that it’s about the pressure to conform, and the consequences of not doing so. Even though Zina believes that her unmarried union is as sacred as a marriage, neither she nor her family can escape the consequences of her decision.
Sitting around an evening campfire on Good Friday, the main character of The Student tells two woman the story of how St. Peter denied Christ three times. The women are deeply moved by the story, and this leads the student into a sort of epiphany of his own. This is a very short story and I can’t say more without introducing spoilers.
I enjoyed the stories but found the first three better than those that followed. I suspect this was because a lot of them are similar in theme and so the later stories started to sound repetitive. A mix of 3 and 4 star ratings for the individual tales, rounded up for the overall rating.
September 4, 2024
1- Ward 6
This story is all highlights... great again at the second read/ listening this time to Richard Armitage's voice is addictive
Only the coward who has more fear of death than dignity can comfort himself with the fact that his body will in time live again in the grass, in the stones, in the toad. To find one’s immortality in the transmutation of substances is as strange as to prophesy a brilliant future for the case after a precious violin has been broken and become useless.
*****
“What are you keeping me here for?”
“Because you are ill.”
“Yes, I am ill. But you know dozens, hundreds of madmen are walking about in freedom because your ignorance is incapable of distinguishing them from the sane. Why am I and these poor wretches to be shut up here like scapegoats for all the rest? You, your assistant, the superintendent, and all your hospital rabble, are immeasurably inferior to every one of us morally; why then are we shut up and you not? Where’s the logic of it?”
“Morality and logic don’t come in, it all depends on chance. If anyone is shut up he has to stay, and if anyone is not shut up he can walk about, that’s all. There is neither morality nor logic in my being a doctor and your being a mental patient, there is nothing but idle chance.”
*****
Somebody in Dostoevsky or Voltaire said that if there had not been a God men would have invented him. And I firmly believe that if there is no immortality the great intellect of man will sooner or later invent it
*****
what matters is not that you have suffered and I have not. Joy and suffering are passing; let us leave them, never mind them. What matters is that you and I think; we see in each other people who are capable of thinking and reasoning, and that is a common bond between us however different our views. If you knew, my friend, how sick I am of the universal senselessness, ineptitude, stupidity,
*****
My illness is only that in twenty years I have only found one intelligent man in the whole town, and he is mad.
*****
now convinced that there was no difference between his landlady’s house and Ward No. 6, that everything in this world was nonsense and vanity of vanities. And yet his hands were trembling, his feet were cold...
2- The Kiss
was a great liar and consequently believed no one
3- Betrothed
4- The Black Monk
“I exist in your imagination, and your imagination is part of nature, so I exist in nature.”
“You have a very old, wise, and extremely expressive face, as though you really had lived more than a thousand years,” said Kovrin. “I did not know that my imagination was capable of creating such phenomena...
5- Neighbours
“He said and did what he thought right while I say and do what I don’t think right; and I don’t know really what I do think… .”
6- The Student
ignorance, misery, the same desolation around, the same darkness, the same feeling of oppression — all these had existed, did exist, and would exist, and the lapse of a thousand years would make life no better.
This story is all highlights... great again at the second read/ listening this time to Richard Armitage's voice is addictive
Only the coward who has more fear of death than dignity can comfort himself with the fact that his body will in time live again in the grass, in the stones, in the toad. To find one’s immortality in the transmutation of substances is as strange as to prophesy a brilliant future for the case after a precious violin has been broken and become useless.
*****
“What are you keeping me here for?”
“Because you are ill.”
“Yes, I am ill. But you know dozens, hundreds of madmen are walking about in freedom because your ignorance is incapable of distinguishing them from the sane. Why am I and these poor wretches to be shut up here like scapegoats for all the rest? You, your assistant, the superintendent, and all your hospital rabble, are immeasurably inferior to every one of us morally; why then are we shut up and you not? Where’s the logic of it?”
“Morality and logic don’t come in, it all depends on chance. If anyone is shut up he has to stay, and if anyone is not shut up he can walk about, that’s all. There is neither morality nor logic in my being a doctor and your being a mental patient, there is nothing but idle chance.”
*****
Somebody in Dostoevsky or Voltaire said that if there had not been a God men would have invented him. And I firmly believe that if there is no immortality the great intellect of man will sooner or later invent it
*****
what matters is not that you have suffered and I have not. Joy and suffering are passing; let us leave them, never mind them. What matters is that you and I think; we see in each other people who are capable of thinking and reasoning, and that is a common bond between us however different our views. If you knew, my friend, how sick I am of the universal senselessness, ineptitude, stupidity,
*****
My illness is only that in twenty years I have only found one intelligent man in the whole town, and he is mad.
*****
now convinced that there was no difference between his landlady’s house and Ward No. 6, that everything in this world was nonsense and vanity of vanities. And yet his hands were trembling, his feet were cold...
2- The Kiss
was a great liar and consequently believed no one
3- Betrothed
4- The Black Monk
“I exist in your imagination, and your imagination is part of nature, so I exist in nature.”
“You have a very old, wise, and extremely expressive face, as though you really had lived more than a thousand years,” said Kovrin. “I did not know that my imagination was capable of creating such phenomena...
5- Neighbours
“He said and did what he thought right while I say and do what I don’t think right; and I don’t know really what I do think… .”
6- The Student
ignorance, misery, the same desolation around, the same darkness, the same feeling of oppression — all these had existed, did exist, and would exist, and the lapse of a thousand years would make life no better.
January 20, 2021
I was familiar with his plays, but this was my first time listening to his short stories and I was blown away. I chose the audiobook version read by Richard Armitage and was very happy with that choice. I actually liked all six stories, but my favorites were the first two, ‘Ward 6’, set in an asylum where there is an ongoing conversation between a doctor and an inmate, and “The Kiss’, where an army officer receives a kiss in the dark given to him by mistake, which has unusual consequences. More Chekhov coming in the future.
March 11, 2025
4 ⭐️s
Audiobook via BorrowBox
Published by: Bolinda/Audible audio
Read by Richard Armitage
Duration: 6 hrs, 51 min. 1.25x Speed
Audiobook via BorrowBox
Published by: Bolinda/Audible audio
Read by Richard Armitage
Duration: 6 hrs, 51 min. 1.25x Speed
Want to read
March 24, 2021Richard Armitage just won an Audie Award for his narration of these Checkov short stories, and best of all it's included in Audible Plus. What's not to like?
March 7, 2021
Ward No. 6 and The Black Monk were definitely the most interesting and haunting tales of this short story collection, but the others were very good as well.
Anton Chekhov writes with a natural and commanding understanding of the human condition and touches on many easily relatable topics. Mental illness, vanity, self worth, independence, social progress, and falling in love with the idea of a person rather than the actual person.
Also, Richard Armitage should just narrate every 19th century European and Eastern European piece of literature ever made. I've never heard another narrator who pulls off the feeling of being from another time half as well as he does. I suspect his own love of the period allows him to do so with such brilliancy.
Anton Chekhov writes with a natural and commanding understanding of the human condition and touches on many easily relatable topics. Mental illness, vanity, self worth, independence, social progress, and falling in love with the idea of a person rather than the actual person.
Also, Richard Armitage should just narrate every 19th century European and Eastern European piece of literature ever made. I've never heard another narrator who pulls off the feeling of being from another time half as well as he does. I suspect his own love of the period allows him to do so with such brilliancy.
February 11, 2025
Overall I didn't like this collection as well as The Lady with the Dog & Other Stories which inspired me to read some more of Chekhov's short stories.
My favorites were "Ward No. 6" with my review here and "The Kiss," which I review here.
Ward No. 6 ****
In a mental asylum, a patient comes into conflict with a director of the institution.
The Kiss ***1/2
During a party, a man becomes infatuated by a woman who accidentally kisses him in the dark.
Betrothed ***1/2
A young woman strives to assert her independence by choosing education over an arranged marriage.
The Black Monk ***
An aging scholar experiences strange hallucinations. Is he a genius, or is he insane?
Neighbors **1/2
A beautiful young woman subverts society expectations by going to live with her neighbour, an older, married man.
The Student 1/28/2025 **
A depressed young student has his spirits lifted by recounting an religious story to two strangers.
My favorites were "Ward No. 6" with my review here and "The Kiss," which I review here.
Ward No. 6 ****
In a mental asylum, a patient comes into conflict with a director of the institution.
The Kiss ***1/2
During a party, a man becomes infatuated by a woman who accidentally kisses him in the dark.
Betrothed ***1/2
A young woman strives to assert her independence by choosing education over an arranged marriage.
The Black Monk ***
An aging scholar experiences strange hallucinations. Is he a genius, or is he insane?
Neighbors **1/2
A beautiful young woman subverts society expectations by going to live with her neighbour, an older, married man.
The Student 1/28/2025 **
A depressed young student has his spirits lifted by recounting an religious story to two strangers.
September 16, 2022
Bit sad innit
November 7, 2023
A collection of six engaging short stories.
Ward 6: A mental asylum patient has a dispute with the institution’s director.
The Kiss: A young soldier at a large party, becomes infatuated with a woman who mistakenly kisses him in the dark, thinking he is someone else.
Betrothed: A young woman grapples over whether she should marry or achieve her independence by pursuing education.
The Black Monk: An old scholar questions his mind when he sees a black monk that no one else can see.
Neighbors: A beautiful young woman decides to live with her neighbor, an older, married man. This upsets the neighbors.
The Student: A young student has his spirits lifted by talking about a religious tale to two strangers.
I enjoyed all the stories, particularly ‘The Kiss’, ‘Betrothed’ and ‘The Black Monk’.
Chekhov fans should find this audiobook a very satisfying listening experience.
Ward 6: A mental asylum patient has a dispute with the institution’s director.
The Kiss: A young soldier at a large party, becomes infatuated with a woman who mistakenly kisses him in the dark, thinking he is someone else.
Betrothed: A young woman grapples over whether she should marry or achieve her independence by pursuing education.
The Black Monk: An old scholar questions his mind when he sees a black monk that no one else can see.
Neighbors: A beautiful young woman decides to live with her neighbor, an older, married man. This upsets the neighbors.
The Student: A young student has his spirits lifted by talking about a religious tale to two strangers.
I enjoyed all the stories, particularly ‘The Kiss’, ‘Betrothed’ and ‘The Black Monk’.
Chekhov fans should find this audiobook a very satisfying listening experience.
March 18, 2023
This was just good for melancholy mood days. Easy to listen to, I admit I wasn't paying close attention.
November 14, 2020
Very similar to Dostoyevsky, but I find Chekhov to be more poignant, more negative, with themes of tubercular illness, relationship issues, and internal agony, despair, madness.
He is very much concerned about the internal emotional life of his characters. There is heavy internal characterization and monologue. There is also significant plotting. There are few happy endings.
He is very much concerned about the internal emotional life of his characters. There is heavy internal characterization and monologue. There is also significant plotting. There are few happy endings.
November 26, 2025
Russian literature never disappoints. this is my first Chekhov book and i was already confident that i was in good hands and about to have a good reading (listening) experience. there’s something about Russian writers and their stories that pulls you in effortlessly whether they’re portraying small, ordinary moments of daily life or unfolding a quiet emotional tragedy. as always i do wonder how much of the credit belongs to the translator. but overall i thoroughly enjoyed this unexpected little treat.
March 21, 2025
A tad grim, that.
June 15, 2025
مجموعة قصصية للكاتب انتون شيخوف تضم العناوين التالية مترجمة للغة الإنجليزية
عنبر رقم ٦
القبلة
العروس
الراهب الأسود
الجيران
الطالب
القصص الأربع الأولى استمعت لهم مرة أخرى باللغة العربية وهي متوفرة في يوتيوب في قناة إسلام عادل و قناة لسان عربي.
عنبر رقم ٦
القبلة
العروس
الراهب الأسود
الجيران
الطالب
القصص الأربع الأولى استمعت لهم مرة أخرى باللغة العربية وهي متوفرة في يوتيوب في قناة إسلام عادل و قناة لسان عربي.
April 22, 2021
You have never heard Chekhov like this! These stories were chosen and performed by Richard Armitage. His purpose was to research the life of Chekhov through his short stories to better understand Chekhov's thinking. Armitage chose these stories in particular for what he could learn.
I particularly like Russian authors and have read Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Pushkin, Solzhenitsyn, Turgenev, and Chekov. Yes, I know Russian stories are depressing at times, but I like the philosophical musings and lessons. This collection is right up my alley and who better to perform them than Richard Armitage.
All of the stories have a philosopher who gives up life, love, work for the pleasure of philosophy or daydreaming/hallucinating. Chekhov seems to be encouraging us to not be so enraptured with philosophy/daydreaming that we give up good work, love, life, and family.
"Ward 6" tells the story of a doctor who is in charge of the hospital and the asylum in a small town. He is disgusted with the lack of intellectual stimulation in the provincial town. He slowly stops making his rounds and stays all day in his own house reading his books and philosophizing about life. Meanwhile over at the asylum, the 6 patients are being beaten and living in filth. The doctor couldn't care less. He gets paid whether he does his job or not; he's in the upper class. A new patient is added at the asylum who studied at the university, but has developed a paranoia.
The doctor comes to show around his new assistant and begins talking to the new patient. He starts coming to visit him to discuss Stoic philosophy, telling him he's not really suffering. It's no different if he gets out or stays in, there's no suffering. Things become curiouser and curiouser when the doctor obsesses about visiting the new patient everyday. It is intellectually stimulating to him. The patient tells the doctor he knows nothing about suffering and to leave him alone. The doctor grew up with a silver spoon in his mouth. Heaven knows it's easy for him to talk. Eventually the tables are turned. The new assistant and townspeople begin to think something is wrong with the doctor since he's obsessed with the patient.
All of this becomes a stark picture of the Russian aristocracy refusing to see the sufferings of the peasantry. It is also a condemnation of Stoic philosophy. Suffering is real and compassion is important.
In "The Kiss" a young soldier goes to a party with the rest of his fellow soldiers. He is a puny person with no self-esteem. He doesn't really know how to act, so he goes into a room to watch a game. Then wanders around and takes a wrong turn. He ends up in a dark room. Suddenly a woman runs up to him and kisses him. She realizes her mistake and squeals and runs away. He finds his way back to the party, but doesn't know the identity of the woman. He tries to guess. After the party, the puny soldier is daydreaming continually about the kiss, hoping to see the woman again. He pines away. Finally in the middle of the night he goes to a place where she might be, but all the lights are out and there is no one stirring. He becomes completely disillusioned and goes back to the camp to find all the other soldiers have left for another party with the general's family. Instead of following them and joining in, he climbs in bed sulkily and misses his opportunity.
This story is all about missed opportunities because of illogical, emotional responses to situations. Instead of daydreaming about mistaken kisses, go find your own dream when the opportunity presents itself. Seize the day.
"Betrothed" is about a young girl betrothed to the priest's son. She lives with her widowed mother and grandmother. Her mother has nothing and has to live on the good graces of her mother-in-law. Sasha, a family friend and a TB patient comes to stay with them in the summer to recover. He is always telling the girl, Nadya, that her life is meaningless because she lives an idle life. Since she is idle, she is using up someone else's life. An idle life is an immoral life. Nadya realizes that she doesn't love her fiancé and also realizes her mother is not who she thought she was. She tells her mother she wants to break off the engagement, but her mother responds as a victim saying it's Nadya's fault she's an old woman. Nadya decides to run away to Petersburg to the University. She runs away and studies philosophy, gaining her independence and rejecting an idle life. (Meanwhile Sasha dies of TB in a sanitarium while traveling.) The ending is vague. You are cheering that she got away from a marriage that she didn't want, a life of idleness, and her mother....but what about love and family?....and how is she going to provide for herself? This is another story with a seize the day theme.
"The Black Monk" is about a philosopher, Andrey, who has worked so much that his health is weakened. So he takes some time off and goes to his former guardian's house. The guardian, Yegor, is a horticulturalist and owns a beautiful orchard and garden. In the opening scene, there is a frost coming and they are working through the night to save the fruit. They light fires around the orchard so the smoke will protect the fruit from the frost. Yegor is obsessed with the garden and orchard. The orchard produces lots of fruit. The guardian has a daughter Tanya. While there Andrey falls in love with Tanya. However, Andrey also starts seeing an apparition, The Black Monk. The Black Monk tells him that his life of enlightened study is important because he will usher in the Millennium. The Black Monk visits more often. Andrey's closest friends realize he's insane. Andrey and Tanya marry. She cures him with good diet and rest and he hasn't seen the Black Monk for a while. He becomes angry at her and her father because now he is mediocre and not enlightened. So he tortures them. It does not end well.
I particularly like Russian authors and have read Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Pushkin, Solzhenitsyn, Turgenev, and Chekov. Yes, I know Russian stories are depressing at times, but I like the philosophical musings and lessons. This collection is right up my alley and who better to perform them than Richard Armitage.
All of the stories have a philosopher who gives up life, love, work for the pleasure of philosophy or daydreaming/hallucinating. Chekhov seems to be encouraging us to not be so enraptured with philosophy/daydreaming that we give up good work, love, life, and family.
"Ward 6" tells the story of a doctor who is in charge of the hospital and the asylum in a small town. He is disgusted with the lack of intellectual stimulation in the provincial town. He slowly stops making his rounds and stays all day in his own house reading his books and philosophizing about life. Meanwhile over at the asylum, the 6 patients are being beaten and living in filth. The doctor couldn't care less. He gets paid whether he does his job or not; he's in the upper class. A new patient is added at the asylum who studied at the university, but has developed a paranoia.
The doctor comes to show around his new assistant and begins talking to the new patient. He starts coming to visit him to discuss Stoic philosophy, telling him he's not really suffering. It's no different if he gets out or stays in, there's no suffering. Things become curiouser and curiouser when the doctor obsesses about visiting the new patient everyday. It is intellectually stimulating to him. The patient tells the doctor he knows nothing about suffering and to leave him alone. The doctor grew up with a silver spoon in his mouth. Heaven knows it's easy for him to talk. Eventually the tables are turned. The new assistant and townspeople begin to think something is wrong with the doctor since he's obsessed with the patient.
All of this becomes a stark picture of the Russian aristocracy refusing to see the sufferings of the peasantry. It is also a condemnation of Stoic philosophy. Suffering is real and compassion is important.
In "The Kiss" a young soldier goes to a party with the rest of his fellow soldiers. He is a puny person with no self-esteem. He doesn't really know how to act, so he goes into a room to watch a game. Then wanders around and takes a wrong turn. He ends up in a dark room. Suddenly a woman runs up to him and kisses him. She realizes her mistake and squeals and runs away. He finds his way back to the party, but doesn't know the identity of the woman. He tries to guess. After the party, the puny soldier is daydreaming continually about the kiss, hoping to see the woman again. He pines away. Finally in the middle of the night he goes to a place where she might be, but all the lights are out and there is no one stirring. He becomes completely disillusioned and goes back to the camp to find all the other soldiers have left for another party with the general's family. Instead of following them and joining in, he climbs in bed sulkily and misses his opportunity.
This story is all about missed opportunities because of illogical, emotional responses to situations. Instead of daydreaming about mistaken kisses, go find your own dream when the opportunity presents itself. Seize the day.
"Betrothed" is about a young girl betrothed to the priest's son. She lives with her widowed mother and grandmother. Her mother has nothing and has to live on the good graces of her mother-in-law. Sasha, a family friend and a TB patient comes to stay with them in the summer to recover. He is always telling the girl, Nadya, that her life is meaningless because she lives an idle life. Since she is idle, she is using up someone else's life. An idle life is an immoral life. Nadya realizes that she doesn't love her fiancé and also realizes her mother is not who she thought she was. She tells her mother she wants to break off the engagement, but her mother responds as a victim saying it's Nadya's fault she's an old woman. Nadya decides to run away to Petersburg to the University. She runs away and studies philosophy, gaining her independence and rejecting an idle life. (Meanwhile Sasha dies of TB in a sanitarium while traveling.) The ending is vague. You are cheering that she got away from a marriage that she didn't want, a life of idleness, and her mother....but what about love and family?....and how is she going to provide for herself? This is another story with a seize the day theme.
"The Black Monk" is about a philosopher, Andrey, who has worked so much that his health is weakened. So he takes some time off and goes to his former guardian's house. The guardian, Yegor, is a horticulturalist and owns a beautiful orchard and garden. In the opening scene, there is a frost coming and they are working through the night to save the fruit. They light fires around the orchard so the smoke will protect the fruit from the frost. Yegor is obsessed with the garden and orchard. The orchard produces lots of fruit. The guardian has a daughter Tanya. While there Andrey falls in love with Tanya. However, Andrey also starts seeing an apparition, The Black Monk. The Black Monk tells him that his life of enlightened study is important because he will usher in the Millennium. The Black Monk visits more often. Andrey's closest friends realize he's insane. Andrey and Tanya marry. She cures him with good diet and rest and he hasn't seen the Black Monk for a while. He becomes angry at her and her father because now he is mediocre and not enlightened. So he tortures them. It does not end well.
January 29, 2021
5 stars, as always, for the incomparable narration of Richard Armitage and the eternal despair that pervades Russian Literature.
This is a thought-provoking collection of short stories. I planned to knock it out quickly, but my schedule necessitated listening to a story a day at bedtime. Now that I’m done, I think taking time appreciate each story and giving it my full attention is the way to go. Chekhov’s stories are packed with meaning and symbolism that can easily be missed if one only listens with one ear (as I do often do).
My favorite story was Ward No. 6 as it asks the concept of what is insanity and who gets to define it, but I also especially enjoyed The Kiss, Neighbours, and the Bride.
This is a thought-provoking collection of short stories. I planned to knock it out quickly, but my schedule necessitated listening to a story a day at bedtime. Now that I’m done, I think taking time appreciate each story and giving it my full attention is the way to go. Chekhov’s stories are packed with meaning and symbolism that can easily be missed if one only listens with one ear (as I do often do).
My favorite story was Ward No. 6 as it asks the concept of what is insanity and who gets to define it, but I also especially enjoyed The Kiss, Neighbours, and the Bride.
January 15, 2021
I love me some Chekhov, and narrated by Richard Armitage...what could go wrong?
Well, I can’t imagine a more depressing selection of stories, even by Chekhovian standards. Most of these are of the longer variety but they are almost universally downers.
Try a different selection for a more rounded view of Chekhov.
Well, I can’t imagine a more depressing selection of stories, even by Chekhovian standards. Most of these are of the longer variety but they are almost universally downers.
Try a different selection for a more rounded view of Chekhov.
March 22, 2024
Read by Richard Armitage. Need I say more? He has the perfect voice to narrate these rather dark short stories, though his voices for women sometimes grated on me. The stories are intriguing - no happy endings here, reminding me of Flannery O'Connor's short stories - deep and contemplative.
March 15, 2021
Chekhov is an odd one! Always a delight listening to Richard Armitage though
December 15, 2021
3.5 stars
Ward No. 6 and Black Monk really carry this collection, as Armitage's nnarration.The other stories were enjoyable, but didn't resonate quite the ssame.Definitely worth a listen!
Ward No. 6 and Black Monk really carry this collection, as Armitage's nnarration.The other stories were enjoyable, but didn't resonate quite the ssame.Definitely worth a listen!
July 18, 2023
I've read 9 short stories by Chekhov - I like them, I am intrigued, I will read more, and I feel 65% of them are hard for me to follow/understand.
3.5
3.5
February 18, 2025
some very memorable stories - great sense of tension and often thwarted ambitions
June 14, 2023
This Chekhov guy's onto something
January 31, 2021
Torn between 3 and 4 stars, so have decided to be generous because of the excellent narration.
This was - as far as I can recall - my first introduction to Chekhov. It's hard to figure out how he stacks up against the other Russian greats, as I've only read these shorts and no full-length work, but so far, so good. I appreciate that Chekhov warns the reader that a character with a certain name is sometimes named something completely different. It was one of my bug-bears with War and Peace that characters could have 4 different names, but it was never explained that all those names belonged to the same character. Or at least not until 3/4 of the way through the book, and then suddenly all these people you thought were different characters turned out to be the same ones. Drove me loopy! lol. (I'm guessing there are better translations out there that do a better job of explaining this early on, but forgive me if I'm in no rush to read it again! lol)
Anyway. Chekhov. Thumbs up so far.
This was - as far as I can recall - my first introduction to Chekhov. It's hard to figure out how he stacks up against the other Russian greats, as I've only read these shorts and no full-length work, but so far, so good. I appreciate that Chekhov warns the reader that a character with a certain name is sometimes named something completely different. It was one of my bug-bears with War and Peace that characters could have 4 different names, but it was never explained that all those names belonged to the same character. Or at least not until 3/4 of the way through the book, and then suddenly all these people you thought were different characters turned out to be the same ones. Drove me loopy! lol. (I'm guessing there are better translations out there that do a better job of explaining this early on, but forgive me if I'm in no rush to read it again! lol)
Anyway. Chekhov. Thumbs up so far.
July 12, 2024
Good collection of short stories of Anton Chekhov narrated by Richard Armitage. His voice suits the general somber tone of the stories.
Particularly liked "The Kiss", "Ward no. 6" and "The Black Monk".
Particularly liked "The Kiss", "Ward no. 6" and "The Black Monk".
September 29, 2025
I have had limited experience with Chekhov and in all honestly only initially purchased this because it was a set of classic stories by a narrator I adore. It was a terrific decision on my part. Not only has it opened me up to seeing why the author is seen as one of the greats but the performance itself was outstanding.
"Ward 6" is dark and deep and disturbingly echoing so many things that still occur and would only get so much worse in Russia. This is especially interesting to have noted given later stories in the collection's speculation on the circular nature of human action and the progress of nature and society.
"The Kiss" is heart wrenching in that it shows just how powerful feeling seen by someone, even if it is only perceived to be so or makes it seem possible, can be. How much life can it fill us up with to feel like we could matter? And how hard is it when these things we dream about come crashing to reality?
"Betrothed'' in some ways is predictable and in others seems entirely novel. To have a female seek independence without being shamed is extraordinary given this was written in the early 1900s! And for the author's own fate to be hinted at by a character in this and in the background of other stories is haunting. I can't help but wonder if in Sasha he infused a little bit of himself- being someone who wanted to uplift and inspire those to be fulfilled.
"The Black Monk" is a story completely conflicting as it asks in all earnest what is more important - happiness in your own world or what is clearly what we now see as depression when conforming and being 'healed' or 'rational'?
As with "Betrothed" there is scandal and yet sympathy, even hope, that must have been absolutely gossip at the time. And it shows a rather beautiful friendship and sibling relation as complicated as both may be.
I confess the last is the one I connected with the least. But I find it a most appropriate end as within it several themes that have poked in and out of his work. It showcases both the shadows of practicality but also the frivolity in philosophy by showcasing the balancing nature of joy and sorrow in that the repetition of even the ill is an indicator of a rebirth. That no matter how dim things seem, there will be another day.
"Ward 6" is dark and deep and disturbingly echoing so many things that still occur and would only get so much worse in Russia. This is especially interesting to have noted given later stories in the collection's speculation on the circular nature of human action and the progress of nature and society.
"The Kiss" is heart wrenching in that it shows just how powerful feeling seen by someone, even if it is only perceived to be so or makes it seem possible, can be. How much life can it fill us up with to feel like we could matter? And how hard is it when these things we dream about come crashing to reality?
"Betrothed'' in some ways is predictable and in others seems entirely novel. To have a female seek independence without being shamed is extraordinary given this was written in the early 1900s! And for the author's own fate to be hinted at by a character in this and in the background of other stories is haunting. I can't help but wonder if in Sasha he infused a little bit of himself- being someone who wanted to uplift and inspire those to be fulfilled.
"The Black Monk" is a story completely conflicting as it asks in all earnest what is more important - happiness in your own world or what is clearly what we now see as depression when conforming and being 'healed' or 'rational'?
As with "Betrothed" there is scandal and yet sympathy, even hope, that must have been absolutely gossip at the time. And it shows a rather beautiful friendship and sibling relation as complicated as both may be.
I confess the last is the one I connected with the least. But I find it a most appropriate end as within it several themes that have poked in and out of his work. It showcases both the shadows of practicality but also the frivolity in philosophy by showcasing the balancing nature of joy and sorrow in that the repetition of even the ill is an indicator of a rebirth. That no matter how dim things seem, there will be another day.
November 24, 2021
When you’re feeling down, when life sucks, when everything is going to hell in a handbasket, and you hate everyone and everything including yourself, read a 19th-century Russian author. You won’t feel any better but it might just make your depression feel artsy and profound. Yes, the world is full of suffering, horrible people get rewarded for being horrible, and we’re all going to die but think of the art that could come from it! This sampler of stories from Anton Chekhov has done nothing to alter that prejudice for me. There’s no doubt he’s a great writer but I don’t think I’ll turn to him when I need cheering up.
Up until this book, I mostly thought of Chekhov as that guy on the bridge of the Starship Enterprise, no wait, that was Chekov. Actually, I mostly thought of him as that author who randy college boys on TV shows pretended to like in an attempt to score with the brainy girls. When I started the first story, I braced myself for a downer and I wasn’t disappointed. It was a brilliantly composed downer and I give him all the credit in the world for that. Yes, I am capable of enjoying well-written pessimistic fiction. I might even read some more of this guy before I die miserably.
I understand that Chekhov believed that the writer was supposed to be an unbiased observer of life and his personal feelings shouldn’t come into it. It really is impossible for a human being to be completely objective and it comes through pretty clearly that he believed that life fundamentally sucked, although the last story in this little collection, The Student, was a bit more upbeat, at least for him. I guess I can’t blame him for his outlook since he died young from tuberculosis, justifying his worldview and depriving us of more of his superb stories and plays.
Anyway, I enjoyed being depressed by Chekhov more than I ever thought possible and I think my rating reflects that.
Up until this book, I mostly thought of Chekhov as that guy on the bridge of the Starship Enterprise, no wait, that was Chekov. Actually, I mostly thought of him as that author who randy college boys on TV shows pretended to like in an attempt to score with the brainy girls. When I started the first story, I braced myself for a downer and I wasn’t disappointed. It was a brilliantly composed downer and I give him all the credit in the world for that. Yes, I am capable of enjoying well-written pessimistic fiction. I might even read some more of this guy before I die miserably.
I understand that Chekhov believed that the writer was supposed to be an unbiased observer of life and his personal feelings shouldn’t come into it. It really is impossible for a human being to be completely objective and it comes through pretty clearly that he believed that life fundamentally sucked, although the last story in this little collection, The Student, was a bit more upbeat, at least for him. I guess I can’t blame him for his outlook since he died young from tuberculosis, justifying his worldview and depriving us of more of his superb stories and plays.
Anyway, I enjoyed being depressed by Chekhov more than I ever thought possible and I think my rating reflects that.
October 28, 2025
Little of interest happened in this collection of short stories. I even went back and listened to a few of them again because I thought "hang on, was that really how it ended?" or "did I miss some plot twist or is that really all that happened?"
That was how it ended and I did not miss any plot twists. There were none.
Ward No. 6 : 3/5
A doctor has stopped caring about the psychiatry ward he runs. Never even goes there. Suddenly, he starts visiting again. People become suspicious. Is the doctor insane since he goes to a psychiatry ward all the time?
The Kiss : 2/5
A man is kissed by a woman in a dark room by mistake. He likes being kissed a lot and cannot stop thinking about it. Nothing happens to anyone.
Betrothed : 1/5
A woman is supposed to marry a man. But then she decides she won't do it anyway! She runs away with a boring man who is sick and nothing happens. Except to the man. He dies (from being sick, not from being boring).
The Black Monk : 3/5
A man courts a young woman with reasonable success. This is because he is fun and interesting (he claims). But is he also INSANE? (yes probably)
Neighbours : 2/5
A young woman has left her family to go and live with a married man. Scandal. Her brother decides that something must be done! He does nothing.
The Student : 1/5
A student thinks a little bit. Maybe he should do it without having Chekhov write it down next time?
That was how it ended and I did not miss any plot twists. There were none.
Ward No. 6 : 3/5
A doctor has stopped caring about the psychiatry ward he runs. Never even goes there. Suddenly, he starts visiting again. People become suspicious. Is the doctor insane since he goes to a psychiatry ward all the time?
The Kiss : 2/5
A man is kissed by a woman in a dark room by mistake. He likes being kissed a lot and cannot stop thinking about it. Nothing happens to anyone.
Betrothed : 1/5
A woman is supposed to marry a man. But then she decides she won't do it anyway! She runs away with a boring man who is sick and nothing happens. Except to the man. He dies (from being sick, not from being boring).
The Black Monk : 3/5
A man courts a young woman with reasonable success. This is because he is fun and interesting (he claims). But is he also INSANE? (yes probably)
Neighbours : 2/5
A young woman has left her family to go and live with a married man. Scandal. Her brother decides that something must be done! He does nothing.
The Student : 1/5
A student thinks a little bit. Maybe he should do it without having Chekhov write it down next time?
February 21, 2021
I'm not such a big fan of short stories collections, I only tried "The Chekhov Collection of Short Stories" because it's narrated by Richard Armitage, and I'm so very glad I did!
These stories are amazing, both the characterization and the atmosphere.
I admit it took me longer to listen to this collection than it usually takes me to listen to audiobooks of similar length, because the general mood is so gloomy that I kept having to take breaks - reading something else and then coming back to this - but that goes to show what a good job Anton Chekhov did of creating worlds and characters capable of emotionally connecting with readers even so many years later.
I think this is what most surprised and delighted me about this audiobook: that the characters and their struggles are so completely, captivatingly relatable, even though I know almost nothing about what life was like in late-19th-century Russia.
After this amazing introduction to Anton Chekhov's writing style, I would certainly like to check out his other works!
These stories are amazing, both the characterization and the atmosphere.
I admit it took me longer to listen to this collection than it usually takes me to listen to audiobooks of similar length, because the general mood is so gloomy that I kept having to take breaks - reading something else and then coming back to this - but that goes to show what a good job Anton Chekhov did of creating worlds and characters capable of emotionally connecting with readers even so many years later.
I think this is what most surprised and delighted me about this audiobook: that the characters and their struggles are so completely, captivatingly relatable, even though I know almost nothing about what life was like in late-19th-century Russia.
After this amazing introduction to Anton Chekhov's writing style, I would certainly like to check out his other works!
March 16, 2023
As with most collections of Short Stories there are ups and downs, I much preferred the Black Monk, which is the most direct of the tales in terms of theme.
The introduction says that the Neighbour shows Chekovs progressive values regarding a non traditional relationship but I'm really not sure that is the correct reading as he states that the man is a failure in military, personal and love life. Having married the wrong woman for the wrong reasons and continuing to make mistakes in securing credit.
Ward no 6 is also quite on the nose, about what it means to be sane and intelligent. The evidence of the importance Chekov placed on reading and education is evident.
Notes
Vlasige was naive and morbid. He had mixed the trivial and exhalted. Made a stupid marriage someone and thought it heroic and had affairs and viewed those as a triumph of some idea.
He wasn't reading but devouring the pages without time to digest what he'd read.
The introduction says that the Neighbour shows Chekovs progressive values regarding a non traditional relationship but I'm really not sure that is the correct reading as he states that the man is a failure in military, personal and love life. Having married the wrong woman for the wrong reasons and continuing to make mistakes in securing credit.
Ward no 6 is also quite on the nose, about what it means to be sane and intelligent. The evidence of the importance Chekov placed on reading and education is evident.
Notes
Vlasige was naive and morbid. He had mixed the trivial and exhalted. Made a stupid marriage someone and thought it heroic and had affairs and viewed those as a triumph of some idea.
He wasn't reading but devouring the pages without time to digest what he'd read.
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