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A Night In The Cemetery: And Other Stories Of Crime And Suspense (1901)

by Anton Chekhov(Favorite Author)

3.55 of 5 Votes: 5

ISBN

1605980595 (ISBN13: 9781605980591)

languge

English

genre

Mystery & Thriller

publisher

Pegasus

review 1: If you have never read Chekhov before, I implore you not to start with this book. In fact, if you have read Chekhov before, I implore you not to read this book. He is deservedly referred to as the master of the short story but, as this publication shows, it must have been something he grew in to. I found the stories weak, inconsequential and bitterly disappointing compared to those I have read before. Because I love Chekhov so much I am hoping to lay much of the blame on the translation, which I found dissatisfying: sloppy, too modern and too American. Admittedly this could have a lot to do with my own perceptions of language - I realise that there is no reason why it should not be translated with a North American slant but it seems unseemly somehow to have Chekhovian ... morecharacters described as 'bums' and 'wimps' and to read of them living 'downtown' or driving their carriage on the 'highway'. I guess I'm just more used to a British English rendition and a more European frame of reference. I also hated the way many of the names were translated with their literal meanings rather than left in their Russiian form.I rarely abandon a book - I wanted to do so with this one but felt I should give it a fair crack of the whip on the off-chance it would turn out to be another 'L'Année Dernière à Marienbad'. It didn't.
review 2: This is one of Chekhov's most recently translated group of stories. They were originally published from 1880 to 1890 in literary journals and periodicals. Chekhov's unique take on life permeates these stories of mystery and suspense. His heroes, criminals and victims resonate with his travels and writings about the penal colony of Sakhalin island. Most criminals are sloppy and not very bright, police work is equally sloppy, the wrong person is accused most of the time, divine justice is the only one there is, and a man's conscience is a harsh, cruel and unrelenting punishment. Chekhov has an uncanny understanding of human nature. Five stars less

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