The Duel (1891) is Chekhov’s longest prose work — an expansive novella set on the Black Sea coast in which two men, a cynical Social Darwinist and a self-indulgent romantic, are set on a collision course. The story is remarkable for the generosity and complexity with which Chekhov treats characters who might easily be dismissed as merely weak or despicable.
The accompanying stories in this collection further showcase Chekhov’s gifts. Download the free EPUB to explore some of the finest shorter prose in world literature.