Publication date: August 24, 2021

ISBN

978-1953608000 (Hardcover)
978-1953608017 (Paperback)

Price

$29.95 Hardcover
$19.95 Paperback

BISAC

DRAMA/Russian & Former Soviet Union
FICTION/Classics
LITERARY COLLECTIONS/Russian & Former Soviet Union

Page count: 162
Trim: 5.5" × 8.5"
Publisher: Anton Korenev Entertainment

The Seagull

 

“Many conversations about literature, little action, five poods of love.” That is how Anton Chekhov described his comedy, in which Medvedenko loves Masha, Masha loves Treplev, Treplev loves Nina, and Nina loves Trigorin, all while Shamrayev loves Polina Andreyevna, Polina Andreyevna loves Dorn, Dorn loves Arkadina, and Arkadina loves Trigorin. The situation becomes less comedic for a little while when two of these characters fall in love with each other, but “the circumstances have unexpectedly made it so that” this arcadia does not last too long. There is “little action” in the play, just the characters living their lives: some suffer from the creative process, some search for fame, some desperately try to live, some constantly attempt to end their life—all while new art forms are struggling to coexist with the old. And—did we forget?—everyone is looking for love . . .

Translated by a Russian actor and director, this dramatic translation is deeply rooted in insights from his ongoing work on his own theatrical production as director and on the character of Trigorin as actor. Many textual and visual elements and clues that are essential to the story and character interpretation are presented in the English language for the first time.

, the trademark and service mark for our undertakings related to The Seagull, is both a letter in the Russian alphabet and a number.

The letter, pronounced as [ch], is the first letter of the following relevant words in Russian:

• the family name of the playwright;
• the name of the play [cháika];
• the family name of the composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky, a contemporary and friend of Anton Chekhov, whose music is used extensively in the theatrical production;
• the word for the number four [chetýre].

The number symbolizes:

• the four acts;
• the four seasons corresponding to each of the four acts;
• the four movements of a symphony;
• the four characters whose lives intertwine the most.

Trade Reviews

 

“Korenev has taken pains to bring the staging to the page with a new clarity. Now is perhaps an especially good time to revisit this play of loneliness and isolation; it feels like an old friend returned after a long absence—familiar, but also new.”

Rain Taxi Review of Books
full review in print edition

 

“A new translation of Chekhov’s The Seagull pulses with an artist’s sensitivity . . . A nuanced, aching Seagull, attentive to the rhythms and melody of Chekhov’s own language, but unfussily direct in its English. Korenev’s version emphasizes its Russian-ness, right down to Chekhov’s insistence that this study of disappointment and suicide qualifies as comedy.”

BookLife Reviews,
Editor's Pick
full review

 

“Anton Korenev's refreshing translation of Anton Chekhov's The Seagull reveals the heart of the nineteenth-century story to a modern audience.”

Foreword Clarion Reviews,
Five-star Review
full review

 

“A crisp, conversational translation that makes Chekhov’s words sing. Readers will be struck by how contemporary the dialogue sounds, even given its remote setting. This clarity helps make Chekhov’s insight and humor shine all the brighter.”

Kirkus Reviews
full review

 

Community Reviews

 

“A relatively quick read, yet leaves so much to think about. Highly recommended!”

Kaggsy's Bookish Ramblings
full review

 

Readers’ reviews are available on NetGalley.com and GoodReads.com.