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Letters of Anton Chekhov, a non-fiction book by Anton Chekhov |
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TO V. A. Posse (February 15, 1900) |
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_ YALTA, February 15, 1900. MUCH RESPECTED VLADIMIR ALEXANDROVITCH, "Foma Gordeyev" and in a superb binding too is a precious and touching present; I thank you from the bottom of my heart. A thousand thanks! I have read "Foma" only in bits, now I shall read it properly. Gorky should not be published in parts; either he must write more briefly, or you must put him in whole as the _Vyestnik Evropy_ does with Boborykin. "Foma," by the way, is very successful, but only with intelligent well-read people--with the young also. I once overheard in a garden the conversation of a lady (from Petersburg) with her daughter: the mother was abusing the book, the daughter was praising it....
"Foma Gordeyev" is written all in one tone like a dissertation. All the characters speak alike, and their way of thinking is alike too. They all speak not simply but intentionally; they all have some idea in the background; as though there is something they know they don't speak out: but in reality there is nothing they know, and it is simply their _facon de parler_. There are wonderful passages in "Foma." Gorky will make a very great writer if only he does not weary, does not grow cold and lazy. _ |
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