THE COMPLETE STORIES OF ANTON CHEKHOV, VOLUME 1 1882–1885

Chekhov is considered by many to be THE master of the short story form. His works provide glimpses into Russian life from a myriad of perspectives and are known for their economy, usually illuminating character in a brief moment in time. With a collection of dozens of stories featuring a multitude of characters, a narrator might find himself significantly challenged. But Anthony Heald comes through with flying colors. He finds a unique voice for each character—whether drunken man, pious widow, or ignorant peasant. Breathing life into each individual, he captures eccentricity, nervousness, and egotism. His enthusiastic reading gives Chekhov his full due and endows this collection with a strong voice of its own. D.M.W. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2012]