Chekhov Becomes Chekhov: The Emergence of a Literary Genius

A revealing portrait of Chekhov during his most creative period, when he was admired by Tolstoy and had a growing legion of fans. Blaisdell explores the psychological portraits of Chekhov's characters and how they reflect back on their creator, showing how he could crystalize human foibles into memorable figures in literature and drama.

Format: Hardback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 08 December 2022
Publisher: Pegasus Books

A captivating portrayal of Chekhov during his most remarkable artistic surge. In 1886, at the age of twenty-six, Anton Chekhov was a prolific writer, producing short stories, humor pieces, and articles at an astonishing pace, while also maintaining his practice as a physician. Yet, as he honed his craft and drew inspiration from the vibrant characters in his own life, he was surprised to find himself admired by a growing legion of fans, including the renowned Tolstoy himself. Despite his youthful exuberance, Chekhov had not yet succumbed to the ravages of tuberculosis. He was a lively, frank, and funny correspondent, as well as a dedicated mentor. As Bob Blaisdell reveals, Chekhov's vivid articles, stories, and plays from this period, when read in conjunction with his correspondence, become a psychological and emotional secret diary.

Within the pages of Chekhov's works, young couples navigate the tumultuous terrain of relationships, while Chekhov's physician characters grapple with the pressures of their medical duties. The emergence of his talented but drunken older brothers and his domineering father as characters in his writings reflects the tumultuous social context of their time, as they struggled to break free from the constraints of serfdom. Chekhov's ability to capture the human foibles of those around him is evident in his memorable figures in literature and drama.

In Chekhov Becomes Chekhov, Blaisdell delves into the psychological portraits of Chekhov's distinct and carefully observed characters, exploring how they reflect back on their creator during a period of seemingly boundless imagination. Blaisdell's insightful analysis sheds light on Chekhov's creative process, revealing the intricate connections between his life experiences and his literary creations. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the art of storytelling and the profound impact of personal experiences on artistic expression.

Weight: 637g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 43 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781639362646