Chekhov by Philip Callow
Philip Callow's new biography of Russia's greatest dramatist and storyteller is a major achievement. By examining Chekhov's life within the context of the evolution of his art, Mr. Callow makes the reader acutely aware of the hidden ground from which Chekhov's work sprang and on which his divided life stood. Arthur Miller calls Chekhov in nearly every way our contemporary. His irony is as modern as Beckett's; as a letter writer he is as natural and irresistible as D. H. Lawrence. In his personal life he is as understated as in his work. But the love theme that is central to his biography and his art is profoundly convincing and humane, but in his own life he holds back coldly and perhaps fearfully from real commitment. He constantly surprises us: a modest genius who finds the whole nature of fame unseemly; a man furious at injustice who is apolitical; a humorist in despair before the mediocrity, stupidity, and cruelty of the world; a generous spirit unable to stop working to improve the lot of others, incapable of turning anyone away, who remains stubbornly apart and hidden. Readers of Mr. Callow's Chekhov will find it a supremely satisfying biography, beautifully told.
Callow strikes a balance between Chekhovís prose and drama, and chronicling his life..very readable. -- Donald Rayfield * Literary Review *
Not strictly a literary biography, this book is particularly effective in discussing Chekhovís work as it relates to his life. * Library Journal *
Gracefully written, an easy read. -- Milton Ehre * The Washington Times *
Vivid...Callow successfully unravels the mystery of Chekhov. -- Conan Putnam * Chicago Tribune *
Well written, intelligent...a fine biography. * Atlantic Monthly *
Not strictly a literary biography, this book is particularly effective in discussing Chekhovís work as it relates to his life. * Library Journal *
Gracefully written, an easy read. -- Milton Ehre * The Washington Times *
Vivid...Callow successfully unravels the mystery of Chekhov. -- Conan Putnam * Chicago Tribune *
Well written, intelligent...a fine biography. * Atlantic Monthly *
Philip Callow's biographies of D. H. Lawrence, Son and Lover and Body of Truth, were widely praised. Mr. Callow, himself a novelist, poet, and biographer, has also written lives of Van Gogh, Cézanne, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Walt Whitman, all published to critical acclaim. Mr. Callow lives and writes in England.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9781566631877 |
| ISBN 10 | 1566631874 |
| Title | Chekhov |
| Author | Philip Callow |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Hardback |
| Publisher | Ivan R. Dee |
| Year published | 1998-05-01 |
| Number of pages | 443 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |