Chekhov is now the most popular playwright in the English-speaking world after Shakespeare, but many think that his short stories are his greatest achievement. Raymond Carver said: 'Chekhov's stories are as wonderful (and necessary) now as when they first appeared. ...he produced masterpieces, stories that shrive us as well as delight and move us, that lay bare our emotions in ways only true art can accomplish.' Chekhov's stories are ranked No.9 on Time magazine's list of the "10 Greatest Books of all time", January 2007.

"Kessel proves himself again a master not just of science fiction, but also of the modern short story, crafting compelling characters and following them through plots that never fail to please - or to defy prediction." --Metro Magazine

"Kessel's blend of dark humor and reality-stretching scenarios is consistently mesmerizing." --Booklist

"One of the best collections of the year." --Locus

"These well-crafted stories, full of elegantly drawn characters, deliver a powerful emotional punch." --Publishers Weekly

A satire on Victorian morals and marriage.

A collection of short stories highly praised by Herman Melville. Melville later dedicated Moby Dick to Hawthorne in "admiration for his genius".

A retelling of Greek myths, aimed mainly at children.

Winner of the 1921 Pulitzer Prize.

The impending marriage of a society couple is disturbed by the appearance of a woman. In 1993 Martin Scorsese directed an adaptation that was regarded as one of his best works.