Creative Writing Corner

Masterworks: the short stories of Anton Chekov

As a short storyist, I can't believe I've been introduced so late to the master of the genre, namely, Anton Chekov. Thanks to an Imperial Russian history class, I've now read a handful of stories of his, and the first thing I thought after reading each was, "More! I want to read more!" I can see a lot of common style choices of Chekov's in Hemingway. He is a sparse, economical writer, with a taut sense of character development and admirable storytelling efficiency. There are also shades of Fitzgerald, however; Chekov will occasionally spring into a passage of liquid, lovely prose that's as beautiful as any short story writing I've ever read. His characters exemplify what I find most fascinating about Russian literature from this period: there's an uneasiness in their own identity and relationships with the West and East. Chekov's characters, like many characters in Russian lit, aren't entirely comfortable with their pasts or their futures, and they don't know who they are, but an inherent passion for life makes them desperate to find out. For any short story writer, I highly recommend picking up a book of Chekov's short stories and delighting in them.

The House of Sand and Fog

Behold a new addition to my favorite books category, The House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus III.

Catch-22

Check out a new addition to my favorite books list!

His Dark Materials

Here is another book to be added to my "favorite books" list.  Check it out!

All Creatures Great and Small

Here is the second book to be added to my prestigious list of favorites.  Behold!

Favorite Books

Over the next few days (or perhaps weeks) I'll be slowly adding my favorite books to this category.  I suppose the only way to begin is to begin at the beginning: that is, I'll start with my number 1, favorite book of all time.  Please note: the rest of the books are in no particular order as I love them all too much to rank them.  So behold!  My favorite book of all time is...