If Only We Could Know!: An Interpretation of Chekhov - Tapa blanda

Fresh and provocative...a significant contribution...cogently demonstrates Chekhov's eminent contemporary relevance. * CHOICE * Kataev gives Chekhov the same life and sense of authenticity that Chekhov granted his beloved characters. * Booklist * Both a valuable scholarly resource and a challenging new approach to a familiar subject. -- Mel Gussow * The New York Times * Unquestionably one of the two major studies of Chekhov by Russian critics during the twentieth century. -- Karl D. Kramer Kataev's book should open a new and most welcome chapter in Chekhov criticism. It offers the reader fresh insights into Chekhov and enhances our understanding of him. -- Simon Karlinsky Kataev's analysis of Chekhov's prose is absolutely seminal. -- Cathy Popkin A fine scholar and an extraordinary personality and critic...an extraordinary study...a real treat. -- Irwin Weil, Northwestern University Kataev is by far the most urbane scholar of Chekhov in Russia...especially readable in the seamless English version. -- Donald Rayfield Kataev's work...has been of fundamental importance in understanding Chekhov's fiction and drama...should mark the beginning of a new level of understanding. -- Andrew R. Durkin, Indiana University An excellent job: recommended for literature and Russian studies collections. * Library Journal * Offers the reader fresh insights into Chekhov and enhances our understanding of him.... Kataev's book, with its sympathetic scholarship and unhackneyed perceptions, should open a new and most welcome chapter in Chekhov criticism. * The Russian Review Of Books * Kataev presents a solid and compelling analysis of Chekhov's works. * Slavic and East European Studies *

Mr. Kataev examines Chekhov's major tales, stories, and plays, pointing out patterns of development in Chekhov's approach to characters and themes, and tracing the roots of Chekhov's ideas as expressed through his plots. He quietly undermines many conventional (and persistent) approaches to Chekhov, Western as well as Russion, and establishes a radically new position of his own. "Offers the reader fresh insights...enhances our understanding....The book should open a new and most welcome chapter in Chekhov criticism."-Simon Karlinsky. "Unquestionably one of the two major studies of Chekhov by Russian critics during the twentieth century."-Karl D. Kramer.