The Prank: The Best of Young Chekhov by Anton Chekhov

A collection of 12 short stories that show another face to Chekhov (many signed Antosha Chekhonte), the Chekhov in his youth, who wrote satirical, comedic stories to support his family.

These stories are joyful, light, and comedic: they serve as a well-polished (but caricaturing) looking glass onto Russian society in Chekhov's time (like a written version of those fun house mirrors), at least I assume this is the case, not being an expert on Russian society.

"Artists' Wives" describes the lives of megalomaniac Russian bohemians and the unhappy wives who support them.

"Papa" parodies the Russian patriarch, who cheats on his wife with the maid, and bullies and bribes the math teacher of his idiot son who is held back several grades.

"A Sinner from Toledo" takes place during the Spanish Inquisition, which pits superstition and religion against science and learning.

The last story, "1,001 Passions, or, a Dreadful Night" has the subheading 'a <i>timid</i> (haha) imitation of Victor Hugo' which is anything but timid. It ends like this:

“Yesterday my second son was born--I was so happy, I hanged myself. My second boy reaches out his little hands to the readers, exhorting them not to listen to his papa. His papa had no children; his papa had no wife. His papa fears marriage like the plague. My doesn't lie. He is an infant. Believe him. Infancy is a holy age. None of this ever happened... Good night."

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