The Shooting Party

by Anton Chekhov Narrated by Nicholas Boulton

Overview

In Moscow an unknown author approaches a publisher (the narrator), asking him to read and publish his manuscript. The narrator agrees to read it before the author returns three months later. At the heart of the story in the manuscript is a love triangle and themes of corruption, concealed love and fatal jealousy. When one of the central characters is discovered dead, the narrative becomes a murder-mystery as the search for the culprit begins.
Written by Chekhov in his early twenties, The Shooting Party is his only full-length novel. Here it is read by the prolific and popular narrator Nicholas Boulton.

Editorial Reviews

Library Journal

A new Penguin translation of Chekhov's only full-length novel, the first in over 70 years. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal - Audio

03/01/2022

Chekhov is best known for plays such as The Cherry Orchard so his early mystery novel might be a surprise. This frame story begins when a Russian editor is offered a manuscript containing the account of an investigation into the murder of a woman named Olga. The story is related by the local magistrate who is responsible for overseeing the remote area where the murder took place. Mystery readers will recognize the structure as rather innovative, and Chekhov fans will appreciate seeing early evidence of his skills in characterization, dialogue, setting, and pacing. Nicholas Boulton reads in a deep, resonant voice and gives the characters a variety of accents. His pacing is smooth, managing the unfolding story deftly. However, the world in which the murder takes place must be balanced against these pleasures. It is one of sexism and other biases that are revealed in offhand remarks and the novel's use of slurs. Some listeners will be able to focus on the mystery—which largely plays out in the last quarter of the work and concludes in a tight, seething encounter that evokes the ending of a well-plotted short story—but others might find the novel's world hard to visit. VERDICT For Chekhov completists.—Neal Wyatt

Product Details

BN ID:	2940174970496
Publisher:	Naxos Audiobooks
Publication date:	01/01/2022
Edition description:	Unabridged

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