Chekhov, the Hidden Ground: A Biography - Hardcover

Callow, Philip

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1566631874 ISBN 13: 9781566631877

Publisher: Ivan R. Dee, 1998

Synopsis

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.

About this title

Review:

Well written, intelligent...a fine biography.--Atlantic Monthly

Gracefully written, an easy read.--Milton Ehre "The Washington Times "

Vivid...Callow successfully unravels the mystery of Chekhov.--Conan Putnam "Chicago Tribune "

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

From the Back Cover:

Examining Chekhov's life within the context of his art, Mr. Callow finds him astonishingly modern: the new kind of man, uncomfortable in the world and refusing to sentimentalize his unease. But the love theme that is central to his biography and his art, which Mr. Callow explores with a novelist's skills and sensitivities, has been somehow slighted by Chekhov scholars. It is the hidden ground from which his work sprang and on which his divided life stood. We must constantly remind ourselves that Chekhov was for years a doctor first and a writer second, seeing writing as a frivolous, irrelevant activity. He exhausted himself with this double life and was soon in bad health. Mr. Callow's portrait reveals a puzzlingly elusive man who 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.

About this edition

• Publisher: Ivan R. Dee
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 1566631874
• ISBN 13: 9781566631877
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 452