Alvina Houghton, the daughter of a widowed Midlands draper, comes of age just as her father’s business is failing. In a desperate attempt to regain his fortune and secure his daughter’s proper upbringing, James Houghton buys a theater. Among the traveling performers he employs is Ciccio, a sensual Italian who immediately captures Alvina’s attention. Fleeing with him to Naples, she leaves her safe world behind and enters one of sexual awakening, desire, and fleeting freedom.

A small Russian town is a corrupt mess: prisoners aren't being fed, invalids are left to die, trash piles up against monuments, the courthouse is being used to hold livestock, and all the officials are taking bribes. But suddenly everybody is put on alert by the news that an Inspector General from the central government is due to arrive, incognito—and when it's discovered that a suspicious young man from St. Petersburg is staying at the town inn, all is thrown into disarray. With the gover...

12 illustrations. This collection includes: THE QUEEN OF SPADES by Pushkin, THE CLOAK (AKA The Overcoat) by Gogol, THE DISTRICT DOCTOR by Turgenev, THE CHRISTMAS TREE AND THE WEDDING by Dostoyevsky, GOD SEES THE TRUTH, BUT WAITS by Tolstoy, HOW A MUZHIK FED TWO OFFICIALS by Saltykov, THE SHADES, A PHANTASY by Korolenko, THE SIGNAL by V.N. Garshin, THE DARLING by Chekhov, THE BET by Chekhov, VANKA by Chekhov, HIDE AND SEEK by Sologub, DETHRONED by Potapenko, THE SERVANT by Semyonov, ONE AUT...

Best Russian Short Stories Edited by Thomas Seltzer. Conceive the joy of a lover of nature who, leaving the art galleries, wanders out among the trees and wild flowers and birds that the pictures of the galleries have sentimentalised. It is some such joy that the man who truly loves the noblest in letters feels when tasting for the first time the simple delights of Russian literature. French and English and German authors, too, occasionally, offer works of lofty, simple naturalness; but th...

This collection of short stories by some of Russia’s most famous authors is beautifully illustrated with nearly 20 wonderful images to amplify the narrative. Simply gorgeous!From Chekhov to Gorky, Pushkin to Dostoyevsky, Russian writers have long been celebrated for their excellent short fiction. Even Tolstoy, the author of War and Peace, one of the longest novels ever written, wrote short stories. These Russian storytellers, along with others, are represented here by ...

'Best Russian Short Stories' initially published in 1917, is a collection of short stories by Gogol, Dostoyevsky, Pushkin, Turgenev, Chekhov, Gorky, and many others—each selection is the work of a master. This collection was revolutionary in its approach to realism, injecting characters with human weaknesses familiar to all. It also provided fodder for other such important concepts as existentialism and even passive resistance, which was rooted in the works of Tolstoy, and practiced resist...

Conceive the joy of a lover of nature who, leaving the art galleries, wanders out among the trees and wild flowers and birds that the pictures of the galleries have sentimentalised. It is some such joy that the man who truly loves the noblest in letters feels when tasting for the first time the simple delights of Russian literature. French and English and German authors, too, occasionally, offer works of lofty, simple naturalness; but the very keynote to the whole of Russian literature is ...

Best Russian Short Stories is a captivating anthology curated by Thomas Seltzer, featuring a collection of literary gems from renowned Russian authors. From Tolstoy to Chekhov, this compilation showcases the depth and richness of Russian literature. Each story immerses readers in the complexities of the human experience, exploring themes of love, loss, identity, and societal dynamics. With their distinct voices and profound insights, these Russian masters transport readers to a world of ti...

The queen of spades / A.S. Pushkin -- The cloak / N.V. Gogol -- The district doctor / I.S. Turgenev -- The Christmas tree and the wedding / F.M. Dostoyevsky -- God sees the truth, but waits / L.N. Tolstoy -- How a Muzhik fed two officials / M.Y. Saltykov -- The shades, a phantasy / V.G. Korolenko -- The signal / V.N. Garshin -- The darling / A.P. Chekhov -- The bet / A.P. Chekhov -- Vanka / A.P. Chekhov -- Hide and seek / F.K. Sologub -- Dethroned / I.N. Potapenko -- The servant / S.T. Sem...

“Best Russian Short Stories” is an anthology edited by David Widger that brings together a collection of outstanding literary works from some of Russia’s most celebrated authors. This anthology showcases the richness of Russian literature, offering a diverse selection of short stories that span different periods and themes.Inside the book, readers can expect to encounter the genius of renowned writers such as Fyodor Dostoevsky, Leo Tolstoy, Anton Chekhov, and many others. Each story...

"Best Russian Short Stories by Thomas Seltzer_ Masterpieces of Russian Literature" by Thomas Seltzer is a classic work that represents the essence of its genre. This book offers readers an engaging experience, reflecting the author’s distinctive style, depth, and vision.