Anton Tchekhov, and Other Essays

"Anton Tchekhov and Other Essays" by Lev Shestov is a set of philosophical writings from the early 1900s that studies the life and significance of Anton Tchekhov, the celebrated Russian writer, by looking at big ideas about what it means to be human, like hopelessness and making art. Shestov checks out how Tchekhov's stories relate to tough philosophical questions that come from pain and trying to find meaning in a world that doesn't seem to care. The series kicks off with Shestov thinking about Tchekhov’s life story and what he left behind, mentioning the author is often misinterpreted and that Tchekhov’s pieces argue against the very hopes that keep people going. Shestov digs into how Tchekhov wrote characters who were very let down, pointing out that Tchekhov was all about showing how pointless our goals can be. Instead of being comforting, Tchekhov's writings underscore the harsh realities of life, showing the struggles of his main characters, as they confront despair and feeling lost. So, Shestov sees Tchekhov as more than just a storyteller, but as someone constantly searching and revealing the deep parts of being human.