Anton Pavlovich Chekhov

  • 9

    Catalog books

  • 18

    Works

  • 1978 to 2000

    Strongest span

Who This Author Is

Anton Pavlovich Chekhov appears here through plays and stories that map small lives with precise, unsentimental observation. From scene-driven dramas like The Three Sisters and Uncle Vanya to shorter pieces collected in The Portable Chekhov, his work balances quiet domestic detail with deeper, often ironic emotional shifts.

This selection emphasizes both stagecraft and shorter fiction: the vaudevilles show his lighter, economical plotting while Kashtanka and other tales reveal his knack for economy and empathy. Across genres, Chekhov privileges character nuance and everyday moments that accumulate into powerful moral and psychological insight.

Best Place To Start

The vaudevilles

Smith & Kraus Pub Inc • 1998 • standard commitment

It stands out because it asks for less time than many of the longer volumes on this page.

Author At A Glance

Best known for: Short, piercing short stories • Psychological realism in everyday life • Concise, darkly comic sketches

Genres and themes: Short fiction • Drama & stage plays • Human relationships • Social observation

Who this author is best for: For readers who prefer economical writing that reveals character through small domestic scenes and sharp dialogue.

Start with a short-story collection (e.g., a Portable or selections) and then sample one play to compare his stage writing.

Top Books To Start With

  1. The vaudevilles

    Smith & Kraus Pub Inc • 1998 • standard commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 1998 • 212 pages.

  2. Uncle Vanya (Drama Classics)

    Theatre Communications Group • 1999 • quick commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 1999 • 128 pages.

  3. The three sisters

    Players Pr • 1996 • quick commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 1996 • 48 pages.

  4. Kashtanka

    Harcourt Childrens Books • 1995 • commitment varies by edition

    It helps anchor a specific period of this author’s publishing run instead of blending into the undated shelf clutter.

  5. THE PORTABLE CHEKHOV

    Viking Pr • 1978 • oversized commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 1978 • 634 pages.

  6. Chekhov

    Smith & Kraus Pub Inc • 1996 • standard commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 1996 • 293 pages.

  7. The Essential Tales of Chekhov

    Ecco Pr • 2000 • standard commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2000 • 337 pages.

  8. Uncle Vanya

    Lightning Source Inc • 1998 • quick commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 1998 • 62 pages.

  9. Three Sisters

    Theatre Communications Group • 1994 • quick commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 1994 • 99 pages.

How The Picks Compare

  • Uncle Vanya (Drama Classics) is the easier short commitment, while The vaudevilles asks for more reading time up front.
  • The vaudevilles gives you an earlier look at this author’s shelf, while Uncle Vanya (Drama Classics) leans later in the catalog.
  • The three sisters is also useful if you want a different publishing lane from The vaudevilles.

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