Chekhov: A Spirit Set Free

Pritchett lies in the subtitle of this book, no atheist is a "spirit set free." Chekhov is an interesting character, but anyone who ignores the spiritual aspect is shallow! This life is brief! Sure he had some adventures and overcame some obstacles, but this life is not all there is. Having made my disclaimer, now on to Pritchett's look at Chekhov.We're told that Chekhov often slept in a shed that was filled with a lifetime collection of newspapers his dad stored. What a haven for an inquiring mind. Chekhov also had acquired a passion for travel. Another vital component in the mix of the adventurer.Communication is two-way. For one to write, one must have some substance. That is obtained through input, and we're told "...like all talented writers, Chekhov was a reading man."He read travel writers such as Przhevalsky, Humboldt, and George Kennan.Chekhov was a traveler, a reader, a writer, and a scholar. This is an intriguing look into his rise to prominence. How sad that he focused only on THIS life.