Comments on: THE LONELY VOICE #6: The Rumpus Short Story Column, Death and the Dying Chekhov

By: Peter

Peter — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 17:38:07 +0000

Thanks for all the thoughts – and I appreciate the suggestions, Alma. Keep them coming.
Anne, I feel the same ways sometimes. All that worrying about what is factually true and
then none of that matters.
Greg, yes, in my view, Garnett is always pretty reliable, if sometimes a little stiff. Amazing though
that someone would think that in Obnino paragraph not important enough to translate. The Bishop’s
random thoughts are the story, in some ways, I think. Funny about the miles. Maybe they are talking
about versts? Which are – what?
Peter

By: Greg Gerke

Greg Gerke — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 16:49:13 +0000

Call me insane, but after reading ‘The Bishop’ and seeing the last paragraph quoted in Peter’s wonderful article, ‘In Obnino…,” I realize it is totally missing from my translation. This seems more than a tragedy. My book is A Doctor’s Visit: Stories by Anton Chekhov. Edited by Tobias Wolff. Translations by many. The Bishop was translated by Marian Fell in 1915 in a book called Russian Silouettes.

Well Constance certainely has her detracters but at least she left things intact. Also the number of miles in that same paragraph is eight by Fell and six by Garnett. Was someone using the wrong version of finger mapquest?

By: Alma

Alma — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 03:42:48 +0000

Very nice essay: I don’t think it’s just you. How long’s it been since you read “The Noble Rider and the Sound of Words?” You might enjoy it. Lionel Trilling’s “Reality in America” also crosses my mind, but is too dry for this. Wise turn us away from Chekov as realist. Now I’ll go reread “The Bishop.” Thank you.

By: Anne

Anne — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 01:00:25 +0000

Profound column, Peter. It made me think back on when my father died three years ago. I not only mourned the loss of his presence, but for a brief time afterward I also asked myself if I had imagined his entire existence. All the experiences we had shared and created together… now it was only me who was left to remember them, to recreate them, to imagine them. No more double-checking of “facts,” no more different perspectives, no more disagreements.

By: easydoesit

easydoesit — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:18:45 +0000

Beautiful essay. Here’s hoping that once we’re gone, the folks who live on will remember us — and invent thoughts we may once have had.

By: Jep

Jep — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 02:18:20 +0000

Peter,

Your essay, of course, was Chekhovian, which is probably one of the best ways to get us to read him, or read more of him than Lady with a Pet Dog. This series of essays on short stories you’ve produced seems so effortless but all the essays are so insightful and deft, and of course wide-ranging in the stories you bring to our attention. I appreciate your telling us where we can find each story, but I’m already feeling as though I want to wait for the anthology, with each story paired with your brilliant introduction/appreciation. That would be a great collection!

By: Mark Follman

Mark Follman — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:44:41 +0000

Another great one, Peter, thanks. Glad you mentioned “Errand” as well — for me there’s a similar late-period case to be made for Carver. (Who perhaps is also bandied about more than he’s thoroughly read?)

By: Stephen Elliott

Stephen Elliott — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 23:06:55 +0000

Hey guys, please link to this essay on your facebook pages. Thanks!

By: Tony Nam

Tony Nam — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 23:04:17 +0000

I love those late stories of Chekhov, especially the very funny and also so sad, My Life. Thanks for bringing attention to The Bishop, which I must re-read. I don’t remember it having as much as an impact as some of the others,
like My Life, and the totally amazing A Woman’s Kingdom.

By: Jim Freeman

Jim Freeman — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 20:58:50 +0000

My God, but we miss you in Prague. Have a hasty pudding. HIgh fives from here.