If you enjoy reading books by Anton Chekhov then you might also like the following authors:
If you enjoy Anton Chekhov’s quiet exploration of human emotions and everyday struggles, Ivan Turgenev may appeal to you as well. Turgenev was a master of character-driven stories and captured the spirit and challenges of nineteenth-century Russia.
His novel “Fathers and Sons” portrays the tensions between different generations and ideologies through the lives of two young intellectuals, Arkady and Bazarov.
Bazarov is especially memorable—as a passionate revolutionary and nihilist, he challenges convention and tradition, creating conflicts with the older generation.
The story beautifully captures personal relationships, differing worldviews, and the difficulty of youth confronting established values. The atmosphere and emotional depth will feel familiar to Chekhov readers.
Readers who enjoy Anton Chekhov’s thoughtful exploration of human nature may appreciate Leo Tolstoy’s profound storytelling. Tolstoy, a master of realistic fiction, examines the emotional and psychological depth of his characters.
His famous novel, “Anna Karenina,” revolves around the vibrant life of Anna, an aristocratic woman caught between societal expectations and personal desires. Tolstoy portrays a vivid world of Russian society with deep insights into love, family, and internal struggles.
The detailed portrayal of Anna’s journey mirrors Chekhov’s sensitive probing of life’s complexities, offering readers an intimate look at a fractured society and the human heart.
If you enjoy Anton Chekhov’s stories about everyday people facing real-life struggles, Maxim Gorky might appeal to your reading taste. Gorky often explores themes of hardship and resilience among the working class.
His novel “Mother” follows the journey of Pelageya, a humble woman transformed by witnessing her son’s growing activism against oppressive working conditions.
It’s a tale of courage, sacrifice, and hope in difficult times, portrayed through realistic characters who fight quietly but powerfully for dignity and justice.
Mikhail Bulgakov was a Russian writer whose stories often blend realism with biting satire and imaginative twists. If you’ve enjoyed Anton Chekhov’s sharp observations of human nature, you might appreciate Bulgakov’s classic novel “The Master and Margarita.”
In this novel, a devil named Woland visits Soviet-era Moscow, along with his peculiar entourage that includes a talking cat. Their arrival sparks chaos as the lines between reality and the supernatural start to blur.
At the same time, Bulgakov weaves in the poignant story of the Master, a struggling writer, and his devoted lover Margarita. This blend of vivid imagination, humor, social criticism, and deep empathy makes “The Master and Margarita” unforgettable.
Readers who appreciate Anton Chekhov’s subtle humor and thoughtful portrayal of human nature will likely enjoy Nikolai Gogol. Gogol’s stories blend sharp wit, absurdity, and keen observations about society.
His classic work “Dead Souls” follows Pavel Chichikov, an opportunistic schemer who travels across rural Russia to buy records of deceased serfs from landowners. Through Chichikov’s outrageous plan, Gogol paints a satirical picture of greed, bureaucracy, and moral decay.
The novel is humorous and thought-provoking, filled with unforgettable and eccentric characters.
Books by Alexander Kuprin might appeal to readers who enjoy Anton Chekhov’s realistic, human-centered stories. Kuprin was a Russian author famous for stories that explore everyday life and human emotions with sincerity and depth.
His novella “The Duel” paints a vivid picture of military life in a small Russian town. The story centers around Lieutenant Romashov, a kind-hearted and sensitive officer stuck in the ruthless world of army hierarchy and harsh traditions.
Through Romashov’s eyes, readers experience his internal struggle, loneliness, and search for meaning amidst the routine cruelty of military life.
Kuprin’s honest portrayal of ordinary people trapped by society’s expectations echoes the themes found in Chekhov’s work, offering readers another thoughtful look into Russian society and human nature.
Readers who enjoy Anton Chekhov may also appreciate Boris Pasternak. Pasternak is best known for his novel “Doctor Zhivago,” which brings readers deep into Russian life during the turbulent years of revolution and civil war.
At its core is Yuri Zhivago, a physician and poet, who wrestles with duty, love, and personal freedom amid a chaotic historical landscape.
The novel beautifully captures the contradictions within individuals and within Russia itself, in a style direct yet poetic, similar to the emotional depth found in Chekhov’s stories.
If you enjoy Anton Chekhov’s thoughtful approach to human psychology and the quiet tensions beneath everyday life, you might also appreciate Fyodor Dostoevsky.
His novel “Crime and Punishment” explores the intense moral dilemma of Raskolnikov, a troubled student who commits a shocking crime. Dostoevsky takes readers inside Raskolnikov’s conflicted mind to show his struggle with guilt, morality, and redemption.
Set against the backdrop of 19th-century St. Petersburg, the story paints a vivid picture of the city’s poverty and social divides while examining deeper questions about justice and human conscience.
Dostoevsky’s rich characters and emotional depth draw readers into a story they won’t soon forget.
If you enjoy Anton Chekhov’s insightful dramas about people’s inner lives and everyday struggles, you may appreciate Henrik Ibsen’s plays.
Often called “the father of modern drama,” Ibsen’s stories are deeply personal and explore the hidden tensions beneath ordinary relationships. One of his best plays, “A Doll’s House,” tells the story of Nora Helmer.
She appears to have a perfect family life until a past secret threatens to unravel everything. As Nora faces this crisis, the facade of her ideal marriage reveals troubling truths about societal expectations, personal freedom, and identity.
The invisible cracks within ordinary life, highlighted by Ibsen with sharpness and emotional honesty, may resonate well with readers who value Chekhov’s themes.
Ivan Bunin was the first Russian author awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, known for his sharp insight and sensitivity in capturing human emotions.
His collection “Dark Avenues” explores love, loss, and nostalgia through finely-crafted short stories that reveal the quieter sides of people’s lives, reminiscent of Anton Chekhov’s subtle yet powerful storytelling.
One standout story, also titled “Dark Avenues,” follows a chance reunion of former lovers who reflect upon their youthful emotions and the passage of years.
Bunin portrays life’s quiet sorrows and complexities with simplicity and depth, echoing the gentle melancholy and humanity characteristic of Chekhov’s best work.
Books by John Steinbeck often explore human nature and everyday struggles with honesty and sensitivity that might appeal to readers of Anton Chekhov. In “Of Mice and Men,” Steinbeck tells the story of George and Lennie, two migrant workers in Depression-era California.
George is practical and protective, Lennie is physically strong yet mentally childlike. Together, they dream of owning their own piece of land and leading peaceful lives.
But their simple plans face serious obstacles, revealing the nature of friendship, disappointment, and dreams in challenging times. Steinbeck captures human emotions quietly and powerfully, in a way Chekhov’s readers might appreciate.
August Strindberg was a powerful voice in Swedish literature and drama, known for his intense portrayal of human emotions and relationships. If Anton Chekhov’s nuanced storytelling appeals to you, Strindberg’s “Miss Julie” might catch your interest.
Set during a midsummer night, the play revolves around Julie, a noblewoman who enters into a complex relationship with her servant, Jean. Their flirtatious interaction quickly turns into an emotional power struggle that exposes class tensions and social expectations.
The story is short but tense, focusing sharply on the desires, fears, and vulnerabilities of its characters. This makes it a strong example of Strindberg’s skill at exploring complicated relationships and human psychology.
Books by Émile Zola often explore the struggles of ordinary people through honest and detailed storytelling. Readers who enjoy Anton Chekhov’s sharp insights into human nature and society might appreciate Zola’s “Germinal.”
The novel follows Étienne Lantier, a young miner who becomes involved in the fight for better working conditions in the coal mines of northern France.
Zola vividly portrays the harsh realities faced by miners and their families as they confront poverty and exploitation, ultimately pushing for dignity and justice.
The story provides an emotional look at working-class life and the courage required to challenge powerful institutions.
If you enjoy Anton Chekhov’s insightful stories about human nature and everyday life, you might also appreciate the work of Guy de Maupassant. Maupassant was a French writer famous for his sharp short stories and clear-eyed portrayal of society.
His collection “The Necklace and Other Stories” explores characters caught in situations shaped by pride, ambition, and fate. In the title story, “The Necklace,” Madame Loisel finds herself trapped by her own dreams of luxury after borrowing a necklace she believes is valuable.
This seemingly simple act spirals unexpectedly, revealing deeper truths about vanity and desire. Maupassant’s writing captures human flaws and social realities with humor, precision, and empathy.
Books by Katherine Mansfield often draw comparisons to Anton Chekhov for her sharp sense of observation and subtle emotional depth. Mansfield’s collection “The Garden Party and Other Stories” explores the inner lives and quiet tensions of everyday people.
The title story, “The Garden Party,” discusses class differences and family dynamics through the perspective of a young woman named Laura as her family prepares an elegant celebration.
Mansfield’s writing captures the gentle yet powerful ways ordinary events shape people, much as Chekhov so famously did.