The Young Chekhov: Reader and Writer of Popular Realism

The young Chekhov wrote popular fiction for cheap magazines and newspapers, and he also parodied successful genres such as the criminal novel. He was a voracious reader, who did not ignore the bestsellers of his day. The topics explored in this essay include the young Chekhov’s use of the techniques of the feuilleton novel and his efforts to sell his works in the highly competitive marketplace for genre fiction and humor. The essay also concerns Chekhov’s early evocation of some of the great themes of Russian culture, including the mythologies of freedom, violent rebellion, order, and authority. Lastly, the essay explores Chekhov’s early focus on beauty and art in the rapidly changing society in which he lived