One of the greatest authors of all time, Anton Pavlovich Chekhov was a Russian playwright and short story writer who lived from 29 January 1860 to 15 July 1904. Chekhov, a master of wry precision and a keen observer of everyday life in late 19th-century Russia, was a prolific writer. His lucid, nuanced writing creates a wide variety of characters. Each narrative creates an image that is vivid and stays in the memory for a long time, alternately tragic, humorous, and satirical. Chekhov's writing has the awe- inspiring, transformative power of great art. This excellent edition of his short stories, which has been expertly translated, is exceptionally true to Chekhov's true intent, providing readers with a genuine sense of his writing style and his brilliance.