Listed among the most beloved Russian plays, "The Inspector General" is a vivid portrayal of human greed and foolishness. Savagely criticizing the political corruption of Imperial Russia, the play tells the story of Khlestakov, an irresponsible impostor who is mistakenly taken for a dreaded government inspector by the corrupt and self-serving provincial officials of a small town in Tsarist Russia. Knowing their own flaws, the officials hope that their...

Written in 1895 and first performed in 1896, "The Sea-Gull" is widely hailed as the first of Anton Chekhov's four most important plays. It is acclaimed for its brilliant use of subtext and remains widely studied and performed as a significant dramatic work. It is the story of the romantic and artistic conflicts between four main characters: Nina, a young, aspiring actress and the daughter of a wealthy landowner; Madame Irina Arkadina, once a great...

The Guggenheim Reader Series: Russia is the inaugural title in a new e-book series that brings together scholarly essays on prominent themes. The Guggenheim has a rich history of exploring Russian art and the avant-garde in particular; this anthology collects the most insightful and influential essays from exhibition catalogues such as The Great Utopia: The Russian and Soviet Avant-Garde, 1915-1932 (1992) and Russia! Nine Hundred Years of Masterpieces...

Humorous gems by one of the masters of modern drama, including The Anniversary, a frenetic, behind-the-scenes look at the goings-on in a bank; An Unwilling Martyr, a humorous recital of an overburdened man's chores and obligations; as well as The Wedding, The Bear, and The Proposal.

Anatoly Kurchatkin's novel, set in Russia and Thailand, ranges in time from the Brezhnev years of political stagnation, when Soviet values seemed set to endure for eternity, through Gorbachev's Perestroika and the following tumultuous and disorientating decades. Under the surface, ancient currents are influencing the destinies of mathematician Rad, art gallery owner Jenny, entrepreneur (and spy?) Dron, American investor Chris, redundant Soviet diplomat...

Anton Chekhov was a master whose daring work revolutionized theater, and this was as true of Ivanov, his first full-length play, as of The Cherry Orchard, his last. Building on the success of his acclaimed adaptation of The Seagull, Tom Stoppard returns to Chekhov and the themes of bitter social satire, personal introspection, and the electrifying atmosphere of Russia on the brink of change. In these two new versions, Stoppard brings his crisp and...

What is my epigrams about? So, about what is happening in the modern world. About a man of different ages The yard is surrounded by wind and sun Funny situations right and wrong In the rushing time of the wolf and the hare. And by the way, in the topics discussed There is a lot of fantasy and reasons The matters and events they contain He turns into good with the spirit of progress. All the truth, the power of witty humor With this laughter to the...

This key to understanding Dostoyevsky's masterpiece and the author's creative intentions offers a remarkable behind-the-scenes look at the composition of Crime and Punishment, from its first inception to its conclusion. Dostoyevsky's notebooks chronicle the trials, mistakes, and uncertainties that hindered his progress. They also reveal insights into the workings of his imagination and significant details about the novel's ultimate content. Professor...

Here in one compact and modestly priced edition are the celebrated Russian playwright's most popular works. In addition to five full-length plays-The Sea Gull, Uncle Vanya, The Three Sisters, The Cherry Orchard, and Ivanov-this anthology features five of Anton Chekhov's one-act comedies: The Anniversary, An Unwilling Martyr, The Wedding, The Bear, and The Proposal. Chekhov's taste for vaudeville shows and French farces influenced his comic one-acts,...

The Cherry Orchard (1903) is Russian playwright and short story writer Anton Chekhov's final play. It was first performed at the Moscow Art Theatre in 1904, directed by acclaimed actor Konstantin Stanislavski-who also played the role of Leonid Gayev, the bizarre and uninspired brother of Madame Ranevskaya. It has since become one of twentieth century theater's most important-and most frequently staged-dramatic works. After five years of living in...