43 pages • 1 hour read
Anton ChekhovThe Duel
Fiction | Novella | Adult | Published in 1891A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Duel by Anton Chekhov follows Ivan Andreitch Laevsky, who is involved in an unhappy affair with a married woman, Nadyezhda Fyodorovna, in the Caucasus. Philosophical debates about their relationship and Laevsky's contempt for work and moral duty create tension with his friends and acquaintances. The story culminates in a literal duel, reflecting deeper ideological conflicts and individual transformations. This novella addresses themes of infidelity and existential despair.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Reviews of Anton Chekhov's The Duel highlight the novella's incisive exploration of human nature and complex character dynamics. Positively noted for Chekhov's masterful prose and keen psychological insights, the narrative is criticized for a slow pace and a somewhat repetitive plot. Overall, it's praised for its depth and realistic depiction of existential struggles.
Who Should Read The Duel?
Readers who appreciate Anton Chekhov's The Duel often enjoy character-driven stories set in 19th-century Russia, exploring themes of existentialism, moral dilemmas, and human psychology. Fans of Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina and Fyodor Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment would likely find this novella compelling.