I made a few notes on a Chekhov collection of short stories for an online book group that used to meet every month but is now defunct. Reduced to two lines or so, the stories don’t sound that good, but Chekhov wrote well and was an interesting character in his own true story — as a teen he provided for his family by churning out short stories for money when his Dad’s business went bust. He also had a few flings, Chekhov, not his Dad (to my knowledge). Ended his days as a practicing doctor before TB got him. Unhappy ending?
- The Lady with the Dog
Bloke seduces married woman for a laugh, then becomes obssessed. They continue, unhappily, to meet in secret. Unhappy ending. - Chameleon
A dog bites a bloke’s finger, but the policeman can’t decide on justice because it might be a general’s dog. Ends unhappily? - The Two Velonias
Woman realises she’s married the wrong chap called Velonia but is unable to do anything about it. Would like to be a nun but can’t do it. Ends unhappily - The Darling
Beautiful woman marries theatre bore, she becomes a bore, then he dies. Marries a timber merchant, becomes a timber bore, he dies. Has a fling with a vet, she becomes a vet bore so he buggers off, but comes back in the end, ends moderately happily? - Oysters
Starving son eats oysters while watching his father starve to death. Unhappy. - Fear
Demitri Petrovic gentleman farmer – bloke fancies his wife, shags her and then leaves them both. Eveyone is unhappy. - The Kiss
Mysterious woman kisses soldier by acccident. He becomes obssessed, but in the end realises it’s hopeless and goes to bed unhappy.
Patrick Sherriff 