Russia's preeminent playwright, he played a significant role in revolutionizing the modern theatre. His impact on prose fiction writing is incalculable: he helped define the modern short story. Beginning with an engaging account of Chekhov's life and cultural context in nineteenth-century Russia, this book introduces the reader to this fascinating and complex personality. Unlike much criticism of Chekhov, it includes detailed discussions of both his fiction and his plays. The Introduction traces his concise, impressionistic prose style from early comic sketches to mature works such as 'Ward No. 6' and 'In the Ravine'. Examining Chekhov's development as a dramatist, the book considers his one-act vaudevilles and early works, while providing a detailed, act-by-act analysis of the masterpieces on which his reputation rests: The Seagull, Uncle Vanya, Three Sisters and The Cherry Orchard.

    In particular, Hektr is searching for a vagabond, who referred to himself as the Prince of Ithaka. Enroute Hektr meets a mysterious woman he calls Helena, who is also travelling to the front. After time, he begins to wonder if they both are searching for the Prince of Ithaka.

    An active table of contents makes it easy to navigate to each work.Authors include:Anton CheckovFyodor DostoevskyNikolai GogolIvan GoncharovAlexander OstrovskyAlexander PushkinLeo TolstoyIvan Turgenev