SOPHIE LAFFITTE - Chekhov. 1860-1904

Great Britain, Readers Union, 1974. 1st Readers Union Edit, Binding: Cloth, Very Good/Good. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" Tall Octavo Hardback Hardback. Chekhov. Slightly sunned spine to D/J. Translated by Moura Budberg and Gordon Latta. Chekhov's plays are shopwn throughout the world wherever there is a theatre. His characters and the situations which surround them are arguably the most vivid representations to be found in twentieth century drama. His short stories are models of observation, feeling and concision. His literary work is known and loved and studied and rediscovered with each new generation. But what of the man? Far from sacrificing everything to his Art, Chekhov remaind throughout his professional life a working doctor dedicated to the welfare of those about him. This grandson of peasants employed his talents to extend general well-being to all in a fight against ignorance, misery and disease. And he did this not by sitting in judgement, not by preaching but by quite simply exposing to the light the human condition with a deftness of touch and a sublime subtlety which never fail to move. This is the man who wrote 'Only those who are insensible to the fabric of living can see things clearly, can be just, can work on regardless'. Yet Chekhov, so compassionate and so willing to take unto himself the confessions and confusions of his friends, was, even to those closedt to him, an enigma. And in the author's biography we see Chekhov as he presented himself. Illustrated. 246 pp.