Description

Franklin Library leather edition of Anton Chekhov's "Eight Plays," a Limited edition, Translated by Elisaveta Fen, one of the 100 GREATEST BOOKS OF ALL TIME series, published in 1976. Bound in a royal blue leather, the book has navy blue silk end leaves, satin book marker, acid-free paper, hubbed spine, gold gilding on three edges---in near FINE condition. Anton Pavlovich Chekhov, who lived from 1860-- 1904, was a Russian playwright and short story writer who is considered to be among the greatest writers of short fiction in history. His career as a playwright produced four classics and his best short stories are held in high esteem by writers and critics. Chekhov is often referred to as one of the seminal figures in the birth of early modernism in the theater. Chekhov wrote "The Cherry Orchard" as the first play for the new MOSCOW ART THEATRE, and although he knew he was dying, he did finish the play and did attend the premiere production. The play concerns an aristocratic Russian woman, Lubov, and her family as they return to their family estate just before the estate is auctioned to pay the mortgage. While presented with options to save the estate, the family hires a local orchestra to play for a ball while LOPAKIN, a former serf on the estate, purchases the "finest cherry orchard" in Russia. Firs, an old servant, is left behind when the family leaves to the sound of the cherry orchard being cut down. The story presents cultural futility and newfound materialism. In reflecting the socio-economic forces at work in Russia at the turn of the 20th century, including the rise of the middle class, after the abolition of serfdom in the mid-19th century and the sinking of the aristocracy, the play reflect forces at work around the globe during that period throughout most of his literary career. "Medicine is my lawful wife," he once said, "and literature is my mistress." 572 pages. Combined shipping is available.