#199 In The Ravine

You can find today’s 16,430 word novelette here: http://www.chekhovshorts.com/stories/199.html Travis review: This noirish story feels complete even though it is open ended with life continuing in spite of tragedies and upheavals to a certain family. It is interesting that Chekhov’s kicks off this story with the tale of Ukleevo, the village known for “the deacon ate …

#180 Anna On The Neck

Find today’s 5288 word story here:  http://www.chekhovshorts.com/stories/180.html Travis review: Anna on the Neck is a Cinderella story of a woman blossoming and realizing the power of youth and beauty that she possesses. I like the efficiency and completeness of this story. Chekhov starts off with a couple boarding the train just after getting married, but …

#174 The Teacher of Literature

Today’s 9145 word story can be found here: http://www.chekhovshorts.com/stories/174.html Travis review: Today’s story can be framed as a young schoolteacher who pulled himself up from poverty and marries into a wealthy family only have his optimistic, happy nature turn into existential turmoil when he learns he might not have been a master of his own fate. …

#128 A Happy Ending

Find today’s 1643 word story here: http://www.chekhovshorts.com/stories/128.html   This is a tale of a matchmaker and a client who have found each other and will live happily ever after… or will they? Had Chekhov end the story with Lyubov Grigoryevna, tears in her eyes, assenting to Stytchkin proposal, the story would indeed be a happy ending. …

#113 In Passion Week

Find today’s 1965 word story here here: http://www.chekhovshorts.com/stories/113.html Travis review: This is a first person point of view/slice of life story told from an honest, good intentioned adolescent taking communion and giving confession. The tone seems innocent throughout with “nearly nine” year old boy trying to be a good Christian, even making amends with this his …

#077 Talent

Find today’s 1692 word story here: http://www.chekhovshorts.com/stories/077.html Travis Review: Today’s story has the title “Talent,” but I feel it is being used facetiously. After living in Los Angeles for several years and being a writer myself, I have known many Yegors (and possibly might have been one myself) who thinks of the rewards of being a …

#034 The Cook’s Wedding

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Anton wanted to dress appropriately for the holiday.  Our story today contains roughly 1909 words:  http://www.chekhovshorts.com/stories/034.html Travis Review: This story is seen through the eyes of Grisha, a “solemn little person of seven.” He watches in horror over a series of days as an arranged marriage of his family’s house cook …

#026 A Country Cottage

Very short one today…only 661 words:  http://www.chekhovshorts.com/stories/026.html Travis Review: The story begins with a husband and wife on an evening stroll walking by a train station. It seems they are alone, but they are not. The third character is the moon, which “peeped up from the drifting cloudlets and frowned, as it seemed, envying their …