The short stories and novellas by A.P. Chekhov included in this book are the best examples of short and middle-length prose. A significant part of them can with full justification be called little novels. This is the peculiarity of Chekhov’s talent—with its subtle psychologism, richness of intonation, unobtrusive irony, and vivid detail.
Even in the smallest story, Chekhov manages to say what not all creators of big novels are allowed to. We won’t find here the cursed questions of the 19th century, but, in a wonderful way, we do discover answers that interest 21st-century readers.