Five Plays: Ivanov, The Seagull, Uncle Vanya, Three Sisters, and The Cherry Orchard (Oxford World's Classics)
by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov
published
July 9th 1998
(first published 1984)
by Oxford University Press, USA
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binding
Paperback, 336 pages
isbn
0192834126
(isbn13: 9780192834126)
description
This volume contains English translations of: Ivanov, The Seagull, Uncle Vanya, Three Sisters, and The Cherry Orchard, with a new Introduction by Rona...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 410)
My only complaint is that I can't keep all the name variations and diminutives straight on the page. This is why I love to see Chekhov performed. The characters get embodied by actors, and you don't have to keep mental files on each one. That said, it's Chekhov. It's wonderful. Every page has little tidepools of human rumination that are beautiful even if you can't figure out if they belong to that woman, her mother, her aunt, her lover, or her mother's lover.
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Chekhov is one of the few playwrights that I like to read, which is to say, I like it just well on paper as on stage - maybe more. Possible because most stage productions don't get it quite right. It's the comedy, Stupid.
I go back and forth on favorites, and they are all so good. But if you held a gun to my head, I guess I'd have to say The Cherry Orchard. So funny, so sad, so maddening. So funny.
I go back and forth on favorites, and they are all so good. But if you held a gun to my head, I guess I'd have to say The Cherry Orchard. So funny, so sad, so maddening. So funny.
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After Shakespeare Chekov is my favorite playwright. Vanya, The Seagull, Three Sisters and The Cherry Orchard are all perfect pieces of theatre. Only because Vanya is the part I long to play above all do I look to that one with a bit more fondness. Just read the last speech in it and you will see why Ibsen wasn't fit to lick his bootlaces.
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I only read Three Sisters and The Cherry Orchard. I gave two stars because I was kind of bored with each of them. I wonder if seeing them onstage would make a better experience for me. I get the social criticism going on about the breaking down of class and economic structure, but I wasn't entertained by it.
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I cannot rationally explain my obsession with this man and his plays. His life is a fascination in and of itself, but his plays are full of real characters, with blood in their veins and mortality on their minds. They are confused, brittle, funny and frank. I cannot help but love them.
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Read in June, 2008
I would give Uncle Vanya, The Seagull and The Cherry Orchard five stars. The others would be four stars. The additional three one act "jests" are also excellent.
If you are a fan of Chekhov then these plays are a can't miss. He is a master of situational emotions and very funny.
If you are a fan of Chekhov then these plays are a can't miss. He is a master of situational emotions and very funny.
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plus four stars for the humor of the cherry orchard. minus several for the concepts in uncle vanya; i really hate that play.
although i do like the reduced shakespeare company's version:
"are you uncle vanya?"
"i am"
[gunshot:]
although i do like the reduced shakespeare company's version:
"are you uncle vanya?"
"i am"
[gunshot:]
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Read in July, 2008
My word, what banal lives these characters lead. Except for the ones who top themselves at the end, of course! And even then, it's difficult to feel anything but relief that their introspection has been removed from the page.
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recommends it for:
Everyone!
Rarely do I make such bold claims, but in the case of Chekhov I can confidently declare that he is the best playwright of the 20th century. Read the last four plays if you want to experience ecstasy never brewed.
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recommends it for:
Anyone who is interested in great classic literature.
Chekhov had a certain knack of expressing something perfectly. He was certainly vastly ahead of his time, and these plays read beautifully.
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I absolutely love Chekhov's writings. As depressing as the endings often are, they are also infused with human resilience.
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Read in May, 2008
Simple and honest through suggestion of character action. Realistic. Not eventful but that's no the point.
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Directing Chekhov is better than reading... but you have to start somewhere. GRIN
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Read in June, 2008
I'm actually reading an ancient edition of his plays that also includes Ivanov.
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Read in May, 2001
Read The Cherry Orchard only.
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Read in January, 1996
yowza--the first play I "acted" in
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