Around Chekhov

A lot has been written about Anton Pavlovich Chekhov. The writer’s contemporaries—both great and minor—scholars and public figures, writers and artists, actors and directors, told about him. A special place among these recollections is occupied by the book of the writer’s younger brother, Mikhail Pavlovich—“Around Chekhov.” The author of the book had the good fortune to live for many years in close communication with A. P. Chekhov. Mikhail Pavlovich witnessed and participated in his elder brother’s everyday life and in many memorable events of his biography. In front of the memoirist’s eyes, A. P. Chekhov’s literary career developed. Mikhail Pavlovich was well acquainted with the circle around the great writer.

But the author of the memoirs is not only “the brother of his brother” (A. P. Chekhov’s phrase). He is a versatile, gifted writer who published a series of novellas and stories, translated works, wrote for children, and served as an editor. Of course, this adds even more value to his memoirs.

“Around Chekhov” is a book about Anton Pavlovich Chekhov and his circle.

The memoirs are given the subtitle “Meetings and Impressions,” which reflects the distinctive character of the book. Here we have a series of literary sketches presented in chronological order and united by the image of the main hero of the narrative—A. P. Chekhov.