Short Stories by Anton Chekhov Bk.1: A Tragic Actor and Other Stories

ISBN 9780956116543

Short Stories by Anton Chekhov is an audio book release of selected Chekhov short stories read by Max Bollinger in English (Unabridged).  This production offers unique dramatisation of Chekhov’s best works by a Russian born performer, now a British actor fluent in both Russian and English languages. Case covers of this CD feature Chekhov’s hand written college essay "Kyrgizi" (Киргизы) and notebook cover from "Cherry Orchard" (Вишнёвый Сад) play. This is a limited edition with small number of copies in circulation.

Stories in Audiobook 1 click > for MP3 download

01 A Tragic Actor >
02 In A Strange Land >
03 Oh! The Public >
04 The Looking Glass >
05 Her Husband >
06 Overdoing It >

About The Author

Anton Pavlovich Chekhov (Антон Павлович Чехов) 1860 – 1904 was a Russian short story writer, playwright and physician, considered to be one of the greatest short story writers in the history of world literature. His career as a dramatist produced all-time classics  The Seagull, Uncle Vanya, Three Sisters and Cherry Orchard. His short stories are held in high esteem by writers, critics and audiences of all generations. "Reading Chekhov was just like the angels singing to me." -- Eudora Welty, 1977. Chekhov practised as a doctor throughout most of his literary career: "Medicine is my lawful wife," he once said, "and literature is my mistress."

Chekhov had at first written stories only for the money, but as his artistic ambition grew, he made formal innovations which have influenced the evolution of the modern short story. His originality consists in an early use of the “stream of consciousness” technique, later adopted by other modernists, combined with a disavowal of the moral finality of traditional story structure.

What the Critics Say About Anton Chekhov

His meticulous anatomies of complicated human impulse and response, his view of what's funny and poignant, his clear-eyed observance of life as lived — all somehow matches our experience. Richard Ford

Anton Chekhov's late stories mark a pivotal moment in European fiction — the point where nineteenth-century realist conventions of the short story begin their transformation into the modern form. His psychological insight was profound and dynamic. Joyce may have more exactly captured the texture of human consciousness, but no short story writer has better expressed its often invisible complexities. Dana Gioia

Chekhov raised the portrayal of banality to the level of world literature. He developed the short story as a form of literary art to one of its highest peaks, and the translation of his stories into English has constituted one of the greatest single literary influences at work in the short story of America, England, and Ireland. This influence has been one of the factors encouraging the short-story writers of these nations to revolt against the conventional plot story and seek in simple and realistic terms to make of the story a form that more seriously reflects life. James T Farrell

About The Narrator

A Russian-born British actor, writer and producer. The author of Easy Russian for English speakers audio book and producer and narrator of Short Stories by Anton Chekhov series. Recent film and TV work include BBC's Doctor Who Special The Waters of Mars as Mikhail Kerenski; Doctor WHO: Singularirty as Pavel Fedorin; ITV's film drama Ghostboat playing Soviet Naval captain and BBC's TV film Life Beyond the Box: Margo Leadbetter as Charles Allcock. Narrating the Noise Monster audio production Space 1889: The Lunar Inheritance as Colonel Molokov, and the BBC TV series 20th Century Battlefields.

Prior to establishing career in performing arts and digital media held management posts at The Cambridge University Local Examination Syndicate (now Cambridge Assessment), various management and consulting posts in British Telecommunications Plc (BT), British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and several other prominent firms.

Graduate of classic music and arts school in Russia, plays piano. Favourite composers include Beethoven, Tchaikovskiy, Mozart, Dvorak, Haydn, Bach, Khachaturian and Vivaldi. Holds first class degree in Information Technology and Echonomics. Founder of Interactive Media, a boutique publisher and production house for digital content including e-learning, games, audio drama and corporate digital content.

Max Bollinger about Anton Chekhov and new production of Chekhov Short Stories:

“One of my most loved authors is Anton Pavlovich Chekhov. I admire not only his literary works, but also his personal achievement as a great human being. Chekhov continued to work as physician and kept treating poor patients free of charge throughout his life, even at times when his own family experienced financial hardships. His style of writing is one of the most unique. He invented stream of consciousness technique and made such immense contribution during his fairly short life, that his works can described as truly immortal. His work is full of inspiration, wisdom and wit which shines so bright, that it can be seen quite possibly beyond the boundaries of our small planet" more >

Reviews More Reviews >

For those who already love Chekhov's stories, this CD will delight and demand repeated hearings. And for those unfamiliar with the genius of Anton Chekhov in short story form, welcome to a new world that is close to addictive. Excellent addition to the library and as gifts to friends in love with literature.

Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States)

These six unabridged stories in the faithful Constance Garnett translation are presented with fine flourish by the Russian-born narrator. The poignant, everyday dramas of Imperial Russia are here, from jolting carriages across boundless taiga, to a tragic actor and a French tutor insulted by his boastful employer.

Rachel Redford, The Observer (UK)

Listening to Chekhov short stories told in a Russian accented voice. What a pleasant way to spend an hour. Anton Chekhov does so well at condensing time and space into just a few words. Most writers of his time, and of today, would need a novel to tell what he can put into not very many pages. I'm not usually an audio book user, but did enjoy this one. The subtle sound effects and the Russian-sounding narrator added to the listening.

Michael Schwager (Southern Idaho, USA)

I really do enjoy Chekhov, and it was very pleasant to walk to and from work listening to these stories. I thought the narrator did a decent job turning the prose into something enjoyable to the ear, and Chekhov, as always, writes great stuff.

Jennie Blake (Manchester, UK)

I really enjoyed this collection of subtly funny vignettes from the life of 19th century small town Russia. There was something odd that I didn't remember about Chekhov's stories at all, but which caught my attention this time - their climax was as subtle as their wit, and seemed to take place way before the end, or not at all.

Karim Mamdani  (Toronto, Canada)

I’ve always loved Chekhov’s stories and the six presented here have that wonderful mix of humour and poignancy.

Maki Vounoridis (Melbourne, Australia)

Max Bollinger, affluent in both Russian and English, does an excellent job in his narration of these wonderfully quaint stories, changing voices to display the multi-levels of characterization with much emotion. Narrated stories are especially enjoyable to listen to when driving in the car. I am looking forward to Volume II.

Kathy Wroblewski (Baltimore, USA)

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