Summer of 2026 At the Newberry: Chekhov’s World in 16 Stories

I invite you to join us this summer at the Newberry as we read and discuss sixteen of Chekhov’s short stories. Though known primarily as a playwright in the West, Chekhov is a master of the short story. Chekhov’s understated sense of humor and his humanistic vision make his stories universal and accessible to modern readers. In contrast to Tolstoy’s and Dostoevsky’s moral clarity, Chekhov withholds judgment, allowing readers to form their own understanding and sympathies. While Chekhov may seem the most accessible of all Russian authors, his subtlety, understatement, and irony make him an elusive writer who invites multiple interpretations, intent on posing questions rather than answering them.
 

We will focus on close analysis of sixteen Chekhov short masterpieces spanning his career, from early humorous sketches to profound late stories exploring mortality and spiritual awakening. I will draw upon my Russian background to illuminate cultural concepts and nuances inevitably lost in translation, including discussions of multiple translations and glimpses into Chekhov’s evocative original Russian. Readings will be supplemented by biographical, historical, and critical perspectives, Chekhov’s letters, and episodes from notable film adaptations.
 

Classes meet online via Zoom once a week from 10:00 am to noon CDT for four weeks starting Saturday, July 18, 2026 and ending on August 8, 2026. (Please note the change from the previous start-date of July 11.) For the full course description and reading list, click here.

Registration begins on June 17 at 9:00 am CDT. Click here for the link to the class on the Newberry’s website. The registration link is located on that page, and will be available on the morning of June 17.

Please read “Fat and Thin,” “A Chameleon,” and “Oysters” for the first session. I look forward to our first meeting.