The Bet, and other stories: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The Bet, and other stories: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
The Bet, and other stories is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Chekhov, Anton Pavlovich (1860–1904). The listed translation credits are Koteliansky, S. S. (Samuel Solomonovitch) (1880–1955); Murry, John Middleton (1889–1957).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Bet" by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov is a collection of short stories written in the late 19th century. The titular story explores profound themes of human nature, morality, and the value of life through the lens of a bold wager between a wealthy banker and a young lawyer. The narrative delves into the psychological struggles faced by the characters involved, particularly focusing on the impact of a long-term bet on both their lives. At the start of "The Bet," the story sets the stage with a dark autumn night where an old banker reflects on a party he hosted fifteen years prior. The conversation among guests turns to capital punishment, igniting a heated debate that leads the banker to impulsively wager two million rubles against the lawyer's freedom for fifteen years of imprisonment. As the narrative unfolds, it traces the lawyer's harrowing experience of solitude and learning during his confinement, while the banker grapples with the consequences of his bet, ultimately revealing themes of desperation, lost values, and existential contemplation. This opening portion invites readers to question the nature of freedom and the moral dilemmas surrounding human existence.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Bet, and other stories
- Author credits: Chekhov, Anton Pavlovich (1860–1904)
- Catalogue language: English
- Translator credits: Koteliansky, S. S. (Samuel Solomonovitch) (1880–1955); Murry, John Middleton (1889–1957)
Catalogue subjects
- Russian fiction -- Translations into English
- Short stories, Russian -- Translations into English
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Russian Literature
- Category: Short Stories
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.
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