Plot Summary

Chekhov

Henri Troyat
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Chekhov

Nonfiction | Biography | Adult | Published in 1973

Book Brief

Henri Troyat

Chekhov

Nonfiction | Biography | Adult | Published in 1973
Book Details
Pages

364

Format

Biography • Nonfiction

Setting

Russia • 19th Century

Publication Year

1973

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Chekhov by Henri Troyat is a biography of the nineteenth-century Russian author and playwright Anton Pavlovich Chekhov, detailing his early life in a working-class family, his abusive father, and his love of storytelling fostered by his mother. The book follows his journey to becoming a physician, his philanthropy efforts, and his struggle with tuberculosis, ultimately focusing on his literary legacy and complex personal life, culminating in his marriage to Olga Knipper near the end of his life.

Informative

Contemplative

Melancholic

Inspirational

Reviews & Readership

4.3

264 ratings

80%

Loved it

15%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Henri Troyat's Chekhov is praised for its detailed and insightful portrayal of Anton Chekhov's life, capturing the essence of his literary contributions. Critics appreciate Troyat’s thorough research and engaging writing style. However, some feel the biography occasionally lacks critical analysis and depth in exploring Chekhov's works. Overall, it's a compelling read for fans of literary history.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Chekhov?

Readers who relish detailed biographical narratives and Russian literature will find Henri Troyat’s Chekhov captivating. Similar to Elizabeth Wilson's Moscow Nights or Julian Barnes's The Noise of Time, this book appeals to those intrigued by the intricate lives of literary figures and historical contexts that shaped their works.

4.3

264 ratings

80%

Loved it

15%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

364

Format

Biography • Nonfiction

Setting

Russia • 19th Century

Publication Year

1973

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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