Title: Small Fry
Date Read: 19 December 2008
Word Count: 1308
Briefly: Watching the dignified citizens heading out for the Easter celebrations, lowly petty clerk Nevyrazimov bemoans his lot to his friend Paramon who is also on duty. As Nevyrazimov’s words of woe continue his depression deepens, as thoughts of promotion seem wholly improbable.
Afterthoughts: I quite enjoyed [...]
Title: The Marshal’s Widow
Date Read: 25 November 2008
Word Count: 1518
Briefly: On the anniversary of his death, the widow of Trifon Lvovitch hosts a remembrance service in his name. His former friends and colleagues are gathered and are treated to a sumptuous banquet, which perhaps reveals an ulterior motive for attendance. One thing is amiss [...]
Title: Oysters
Date Read: 17 November 2008
Word Count: 1494
Briefly: Starving on the streets of Moscow a father and a son are in search of food. They stop outside a three-storey restaurant where the son, aged eight and a half, spots a word he does not recognise - ‘oysters’. He father informs him it is a [...]
Title: In The Graveyard
Date Read: 17 November 2008
Word Count: 890
Briefly: A small group are gathered in a muddy graveyard in the rain discussing the persons interred, when a shabby man appears, asking where the grave of Mushkin is. Obliging the man, the group ask about his connection with the deceased actor.
Afterthoughts: A reasonably amusing [...]
Title: Minds in Ferment
Date Read: 09 November 2008
Word Count: 1356
Briefly: Treasury clerk Potcheshihin, and Optimov, correspondent of the Son of the Fatherland newspaper, are strolling through the market-place when their attention becomes focused on the whereabouts of a flock of starlings. Appearing to have settled in the garden of Father Prebendary’s house, the pair [...]
Title: The Album
Date Read: 29 October 2008
Word Count: 767
Briefly: On retiring after 10 years service Zhmyhov, the actual civil councillor, receives a photo album from his subordinates, full of their portraits, so that he may never abandon them until death.
Afterthoughts: Short, to the point and comes with a humourous ending.
Notable Quote: “During the course [...]
Title: The Choristers
Date Read: 29 October 2008
Word Count: 1833
Briefly: The eminent Count Vladimir Ivanovitch is coming to visit Yefremovo and Alexey Alexeitch, the sacristan of the church, is charged with getting the choir ready for a performance. As the Count’s rumoured visit looms ever closer, the practises increase, and so does the tension.
Afterthoughts: I [...]
Title: The Swedish Match
Date Read: 22 October 2008
Word Count: 7529
Briefly: Crime busting duo Tchubikov and Dyukovsky set out to investigate the apparent murder of Mark Ivanovitch Klyauzov, a retired cornet of the guards. Just who is responsible for the murder, and where exactly is the body of Ivanovitch? A single spent match, of Swedish [...]
Title: A Slander
Date Read: 13 October 2008
Word Count: 1438
Briefly: At his daughter’s wedding Serge Kapitonich Ahineev gets wrongly accused of committing an immoral act. Can he clear his name before the gossip spreads?
Afterthoughts: This is the best Chekhov short I’ve read so far. A great story, tight prose, and a thoughtful ending.
Notable Quote: “Marfa [...]
Title: The Bird Market
Date Read: 12 October 2008
Word Count: 1296
Briefly: A snapshot of life at a Sunday market in Moscow, with an emphasis on the bird market.
Afterthoughts: This is a really nice story about life in a Moscow market. I was unsure if Trubnoy Square really exists, or if if were simply a figment [...]
