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34th out of 112 books
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The Plays of Anton Chekhov
These critically hailed translations of "The Seagull, Uncle Vanya, The Three Sisters" and the other Chekhov plays are the only ones in English by a Russian-language scholar who is also a veteran Chekhovian actor.
Without compromising the spirit of the text, Paul Schmidt accurately translates Chekhov's entire theatrical canon, rescuing the humor "lost" in
...morePaperback, 400 pages
Published
April 8th 1998
by Harper Perennial
(first published 1930)
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Cherry Orchard, 1/6
I thought this was excellent. I'm just coming off Ibsen, who's sorta punch-you-in-the-face powerful, so I was underwhelmed a bit too, but I think it's a really elegant, subtle play with a lot going on. It's specifically about this huge transition from old to modern Russian culture, right? (I hope so.) An elegy for the old way, and a "Here we go" for the new. I thought it was eloquently done.
Not gonna change my life. Which Hedda Gabler may actu...more
I thought this was excellent. I'm just coming off Ibsen, who's sorta punch-you-in-the-face powerful, so I was underwhelmed a bit too, but I think it's a really elegant, subtle play with a lot going on. It's specifically about this huge transition from old to modern Russian culture, right? (I hope so.) An elegy for the old way, and a "Here we go" for the new. I thought it was eloquently done.
Not gonna change my life. Which Hedda Gabler may actu...more
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This Americanized set of Chekhov plays may strike some as less poetic than other translations, but given that it was created with the intention of giving American actors a chance to find the vital rhythms and remarks of Chekov within their own language, I can hardly fault Paul Schmidt for his vernacular choices. After all, Chekhov wrote for the popular audience of his time. We are meant to not get lost in flowery language during his plays, only powerful language and interaction.
Of ...more
Of ...more
Jil
rated it
Recommends it for:
theatre buffs, Russian translators
Recommended to Jil by:
Gregory Moss, Connie Crawford
Part of me feels like it's wrong to read all of an author's work at once; even though you are able to notice themes and trends across his writing, it's also much more obvious when he relies too heavily on one technique or topic. That was sort of the case in my reading this: in the beginning, I was immensely pleased, having expected Chekhov to be much more dry and old-fashioned (thank god for this incredible translation.) I found the first few one-acts and plays to be delightful and truly funny. ...more
A great, modern, American translation of Chekov. Loved his translation of Seagull, currently working on Uncle Vanya. Keeps the heart of Chekov alive while making the text more accessible than many of the dry, melancholy, British translations.
The Cherry Orchard, a story of bankers greed and avarice (sound familiar?)who will use any means, to buy the cherry orchard, symbolic of the feminine and mother......This play is maybe more relevant today than when it was written...
Laurence Senelick's translation is fabulous and as the only person to have translated all of Anton Chekhov's works into English, he is an authority on the playwright. This is not the first time Dr. Senelick has translated Chekhov's plays, but it is his most recent edition. Speaking several languages, Senelick is in an excellent position to be a master translator and I think his translations are essential to any student of modern drama.
The only regret I have about the complete editi...more
The only regret I have about the complete editi...more
I read The Seagull from this book. Supposedly this is a wonderful translation, and has great notes in the back to help understanding. I look forward to reading the other plays in this book.
Like Pinter, Chekhov really understood people, but he seemed to love them a lot more.
Often mistaken for a 'realist' or 'naturalist' of the theatre, Chekhov was in a fact a hyper-realist. His plays are not mundane kitchen sink dramas, but bold, impressionist, dream-realities, within which some of the most lovingly crafted (and often hopelessly lost) characters drift and struggle to understand themselves and others.
As always, I recommend these plays to anyone, not just those who have ...more
Often mistaken for a 'realist' or 'naturalist' of the theatre, Chekhov was in a fact a hyper-realist. His plays are not mundane kitchen sink dramas, but bold, impressionist, dream-realities, within which some of the most lovingly crafted (and often hopelessly lost) characters drift and struggle to understand themselves and others.
As always, I recommend these plays to anyone, not just those who have ...more
Veda Darling
rated it
As an avid Chekhov fan, I have read a number of translations of his work. This is, in my humble opinion, the most beautiful translation available to English readers.
I just read "The bear". It was funny and unexpected compared to what I have read by Chekhov previously.
I love Paul Schmidt's translation - it's very engaging and approachable.
Heard these were good translations. Haven't read 'em.
Best Translation into English of Chekhov EVER
Lilo
added it
The Seagull will haunt me for a very long time.
The best translation out there.
Read:
The Cherry Orchard
The Cherry Orchard
First off this translation by paul schmidt is amazing! Both to read and for the stage, he captures the sense of hopeless, ennui and psychosis rampant throughout chekov's plays. I often wonder if chekov read Nietzchse's birth of tragedy and tried to make every play a constant struggle between the apollonian and the dionysian or if he was just one of the most profound observers of the "metaphysical human condition" in the 20th century?! a must read!!!
Recently, I've read The Cherry Orchard, The Sea-Gull, and The Three Sisters and am planning to read more. Chekhov is truly a master dramatist.
I suspect this particular translation is more stuffy than it needs to be. I've borrowed it from a friend, but if I were buying a copy, I'd look for something with more contemporary vocabulary and sentence structure. I doubt that the language needs to be quite so Victorian to be a good translation.
I suspect this particular translation is more stuffy than it needs to be. I've borrowed it from a friend, but if I were buying a copy, I'd look for something with more contemporary vocabulary and sentence structure. I doubt that the language needs to be quite so Victorian to be a good translation.
Clunky. Dumped it in favor of Senelick's new edition.
This is, by far, the best translation of Chekhov that I have read. It is also actually complete. Most editions have his major plays (Three Sisters, Uncle Vanya, The Seagull) and one other of a random assortment of lesser-know plays. While, like almost everyone, I have trouble at times keeping names straight , the characters are wonderful.
Don't skip the short "Vaudevilles." These short plays have some of the best character comedy.
Don't skip the short "Vaudevilles." These short plays have some of the best character comedy.
Chekov's plays are only comedies if you enjoy schadenfreude. I found this to be a very lucid translation. This edition contained several one acts (The Bear, The Proposal, Swan Song, etc) as well as Chekov's five major plays (The Seagull, The Cherry Orchard, The Three Sisters, Uncle Vanya, and Ivanov). Still need to read Ivanov and The Three Sisters, but now I'm in the middle of The Brothers Karamazov.
All chekhov plays are about a fear of dying, boredom, poverty, unrequited love and loneliness. Do not assign this reading to anyone with and sort of depressive tendencies. the character tend to shoot themselves. but still some likable characters and there's something to desperation and the human condition. wouldn't want to read them all in a row again, though
Perhaps the mood and the reality of the plays can be summed up in one quote:
Yeliena: "Surely you ought to realise that the world is being destroyed not by fire and pillage, but by hatred and enmity...your job should be to reconcile people to one another, not to grumble."
Vania: 'Reconcile me to myself first!'
Yeliena: "Surely you ought to realise that the world is being destroyed not by fire and pillage, but by hatred and enmity...your job should be to reconcile people to one another, not to grumble."
Vania: 'Reconcile me to myself first!'
I think this book will always be in the "currently reading" section since it's so massive and complete that I doubt I will ever read it completely. It contains pretty much every piece Chekhov ever wrote for the stage including lots of variations. That I will never read it completely is a testament to just how much is there.
I thought this would be a boring set of old fashioned plays. I am glad that Chekhov proved me wrong. These are quite funny and thoughtful without being preachy.
I do not get Chekov. I tried and read the Sea gull, but I just didn't get it.
Oh well, I tried
Oh well, I tried
this translation is great. the english is modern without seeming like a gimmick and the jokes -- even the puns -- actually work in english. three sisters is one of my favorite plays. like the cherry orchard (which is also great) it's plotless, funny, hopeless and everyone talks in cliches and affectations.
It took me a long time to get through this collection, but what's fascinating about slogging through Chekhov's experiments, juvenilia, humor sketches, and miscellany is what enormous achievements The Seagull and The Cherry Orchard, an the long road it took for him to get there, artistically.
Some people don't think Anton Chekhov is funny. I throw rocks at those people. The first piece in this great translation, "The Bear," serves as a perfect example. Chekhov plays every conflict with high stakes and knows his characters inside-out and backwards.
According to my Russian acting teacher, this translation is actually total shit. Oops. I really liked it. I'm off to read the Senelick version now. I'm still rating this book four stars, because I really enjoyed it.
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Антон Павлович Чехов
Anton Pavlovich Chekhov was born in the small seaport of Taganrog, southern Russia, the son of a grocer. Chekhov's grandfather was a serf, who had bought his own freedom and that of his three sons in 1841. He also taught himself to read and write.Yevgenia Morozov, Chekhov's mother, was the daughter of a cloth merchant.
"When I think back on my childh...more
More about Anton Chekhov...
Anton Pavlovich Chekhov was born in the small seaport of Taganrog, southern Russia, the son of a grocer. Chekhov's grandfather was a serf, who had bought his own freedom and that of his three sons in 1841. He also taught himself to read and write.Yevgenia Morozov, Chekhov's mother, was the daughter of a cloth merchant.
"When I think back on my childh...more
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