The Fiancee and Other Stories (Penguin Classics)

The diversity of stories in this collection is great, their psychological depth and philosophical richness even greater. Chekhov (1860-1904) composed most of the stories in the 1890s, although 'The Fiancee,' written at the same time as his dramatic masterpiece, The Cherry Orchard, was not completed until 1903; 'The Fiancee' represents a turning point in Chekhov's career, with the high note of optimism and with its heroine, Nadya, 'a positive woman of action,' who ultimately rejects philistine materialism for a life of hard work and self-denial.

The fluency and intelligence of Ronald Wilks's English prose provide an ideal vehicle for the range of Chekhov's stories. Whether he is dealing with the themes of greed and exploitation in 'a suburban muscovite Hamlet' ('Three Year') or treating us to a fast-moving story of murder and adultery ('Peasant Women'), Chekhov invariably brings to the short story a sharp, humorous focus on human moods, manners and emotions.