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Sara's Reviews > Gooseberries and other stories
Gooseberries and other stories (Penguin Little Black Classics, #34)
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If you like something straightforward and simple, never read Chekhov. This story would seem to be just that on its surface, but only a bit of reflection opens up a world of questions and Chekhov, by and large, leaves his reader to decide the answers.
There are numerous ways to examine this story, the most obvious being from the reliable or unreliable narrator point of view. What you believe happens here depends entirely on your view of Ivan and whether you take him at face-value or read beyond his surface and see him as jealous of his brother, Nicholai. What is almost miraculous to me is that either way you read this story you can arrive at a view on morality that has meaning. The story, for me, became an enigma; and I believe that was very intentional on Chekhov’s part.
If you are a member of the Catching Up On Classics Group (and if you aren’t come join), this is the short story read for April. It ought to engender a great discussion. It has certainly left me pondering.
Thought I would add a link to the story, in case anyone is interested.
There are numerous ways to examine this story, the most obvious being from the reliable or unreliable narrator point of view. What you believe happens here depends entirely on your view of Ivan and whether you take him at face-value or read beyond his surface and see him as jealous of his brother, Nicholai. What is almost miraculous to me is that either way you read this story you can arrive at a view on morality that has meaning. The story, for me, became an enigma; and I believe that was very intentional on Chekhov’s part.
If you are a member of the Catching Up On Classics Group (and if you aren’t come join), this is the short story read for April. It ought to engender a great discussion. It has certainly left me pondering.
Thought I would add a link to the story, in case anyone is interested.
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Gooseberries and other stories.
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Reading Progress
March 31, 2021
–
Started Reading
March 31, 2021
– Shelved
March 31, 2021
– Shelved as:
short-stories-novellas
March 31, 2021
– Shelved as:
russia
March 31, 2021
– Shelved as:
classics
March 31, 2021
–
Finished Reading
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Angela M
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Mar 31, 2021 12:52PM
Intriguing review, Sara!
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Quick read, Angela, and very thought provoking:
Oh, Sara. I wish I could quit my job!
I plan to read this story along with the group and again with Jennifer. We are reading George Saunders' book which takes an in-depth look at 6 Russian short stories and Gooseberries is one of them.
I heart Chekhov -- every short story writer's unassuming hero.
Thanks to your review I will have to read this for the third time. I will look closer.
Planning on this and Fathers and Sons for a bit of a Russian month. I even hope to read Dr. Zhivago. Thanks for a wonderful enticement to get started with your fab review!
Angela M wrote: "Thanks for the link , Sara!"No problem. Enjoy!
Candi wrote: "Oh, Sara. I wish I could quit my job!"I wish you could as well, but I have found there are just as few hours in the day now as when I was working.
Swaroop wrote: "Sara,Brilliant - thank you, for the link!"
Thanks, Swaroop. Enjoy. I'm really not the moderator for the short story thread, but I will be there participating and we should have a good discussion on this one.
Anne wrote: "I plan to read this story along with the group and again with Jennifer. We are reading George Saunders' book which takes an in-depth look at 6 Russian short stories and Gooseberries is one of them."Wow, that sounds interesting. I might try to find a copy of the Saunders book as well. I seem to be reading a lot of Russians lately.
Ken wrote: "I heart Chekhov -- every short story writer's unassuming hero."He is nothing short of amazing.
Bob wrote: "Thanks to your review I will have to read this for the third time. I will look closer."I'm thinking this is a story that would profit from re-reads. I intend to visit it again before I do any commenting at the thread.
Lori wrote: "Planning on this and Fathers and Sons for a bit of a Russian month. I even hope to read Dr. Zhivago. Thanks for a wonderful enticement to get started with your fab review!"I do love Zhivago! I'm in for Fathers and Sons as well--I have already started. It does seem Russians keep popping up for April.
I am so glad you thought it was worthwhile.
Lynn wrote: "I am so glad you thought it was worthwhile."Oh yes, quite worthwhile, Lynn.
I love your thoughtful analysis, Sara. I think you are probably right about the enigma being intentional. That Chekhov--what a genius.
Genius indeed. I am resolved to read more of him. I have not read The Seagull or The Three Sisters and I feel they are essential reads.
Nice review, Sara. I had a similar feeling about the story. You are spot on about your view on Chekhov that he left it to his readers to look for answers, his job was to just throw questions :)
Thank you, Gaurav. I love that about him...makes his stories unforgettable.
