A fine collection of Chekhov's short fiction, exhibiting his wit often in no more than a few pages each. ( )

Of primary interest to confirmed Chekhov fans or those interested in his development as a writer. Despite the short period covered — Dec. 1885 – June 1886 — a vast improvement in form, style, and content can be seen between the earliest works published in Fragments, and the later ones published in St. Petersburg papers.

The former are at best humorous but slight, and at worst merely slight. The latter, though perhaps not as accomplished as his more celebrated, later stories, show a degree of sensitivity and insight not found anywhere in the Fragments pieces. (A much later rewriting of one of these stories is appended to the collection, providing a ready contrast between Chekhov the relative newcomer, and Chekhov the literary giant.)

A must for the English-speaking Chekhov devotee, due to the prior unavailability of many of these works in that language, but likely not the best introductory collection for the uninitiated. ( )