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The personal papers of Anton Chekhov

Day 8
Having met the challenge to post the cover of seven books that I love (no explanation, no review, just the cover), I will come clean with my explanation. All the covers I posted are of books that I read, either in whole or part, every year. Hence the absence of novels. Some are there just for consultation, some to touch base, others are essential to my general well-being. The 100 word entries that go with the books are my creative interest, being neither explanations or reviews of the book. Being thus inspired, I will continue with this exercise until either I or the reader, probably the latter, wearies of it. Today is a book I found in a Hobart second-hand bookshop, ‘The personal papers of Anton Chekhov’ (Lear, 1948) Here are 100 words on a word in the title:

Personal (July)
 
“It’s personal” is an admission you make to fend off discussion about religion, love life, latest argument. Reading Chekhov’s notebook again this July, you’d be pushed to find anything personal about Chekhov. “As I lie in the grave alone, so in fact I live alone,” might be a passing thought, but more likely one he’s saving up for a character. Some entries are entire comic plays in miniature. “Treat your dismissal as you would an atmospheric phenomenon.” “All that procedure.” “The more refined the more unhappy.” He saves up names: “Rosalie Ossipovna Aromat.” “Kapiton Ivanovitch Boil.” “Miss Guitarov (actress).”


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