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43 pages 1 hour read

The Duel

Fiction | Novella | Adult | Published in 1891

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Book Brief

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Anton Chekhov

The Duel

Fiction | Novella | Adult | Published in 1891
Book Details
Pages

82

Format

Novella • Fiction

Setting

Caucasus • 19th Century

Publication Year

1891

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Duel by Anton Chekhov follows Ivan Andreitch Laevsky, who is involved in an unhappy affair with a married woman, Nadyezhda Fyodorovna, in the Caucasus. Philosophical debates about their relationship and Laevsky's contempt for work and moral duty create tension with his friends and acquaintances. The story culminates in a literal duel, reflecting deeper ideological conflicts and individual transformations. This novella addresses themes of infidelity and existential despair.

Contemplative

Mysterious

Melancholic

Emotional

Challenging

Reviews & Readership

4.1

4,038 ratings

73%

Loved it

23%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Reviews of Anton Chekhov's The Duel highlight the novella's incisive exploration of human nature and complex character dynamics. Positively noted for Chekhov's masterful prose and keen psychological insights, the narrative is criticized for a slow pace and a somewhat repetitive plot. Overall, it's praised for its depth and realistic depiction of existential struggles.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Duel?

Readers who appreciate Anton Chekhov's The Duel often enjoy character-driven stories set in 19th-century Russia, exploring themes of existentialism, moral dilemmas, and human psychology. Fans of Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina and Fyodor Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment would likely find this novella compelling.

4.1

4,038 ratings

73%

Loved it

23%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

82

Format

Novella • Fiction

Setting

Caucasus • 19th Century

Publication Year

1891

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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