The Shooting Party

By: Anton Chekhov

Narrated by: Nicholas Boulton

In Moscow an unknown author approaches a publisher (the narrator), asking him to read and publish his manuscript. The narrator agrees to read it before the author returns three months later. At the heart of the story in the manuscript is a love triangle and themes of corruption, concealed love, and fatal jealousy. When one of the central characters is discovered dead, the narrative becomes a murder-mystery as the search for the culprit begins.

Written by Chekhov in his early 20s, The Shooting Party is his only full-length novel. Here it is read by the prolific and popular narrator Nicholas Boulton.

Download the accompanying reference guide.Public Domain (P)2022 Naxos AudioBooks UK Ltd.

What intriguing skill at 24

I’d read it before, but hearing it and while reading along made this better. Anton has these tucked-away passages that take one by surprise. One hits the pause, then the back button flips back the pages and hears what they do. Only this time, since he was 24 when he serialized this story, it’s discovered this is a gift, a technique but not deliberate, but natural. This gift would frustrate some but be soul-food crumbs for others leading to want more. A gift. It would make sense he’d find a way to use his medical knowledge, other than his powerful powers of observation, to fit into a story. People say Chekhov was obsessively private, and with good reason. He was ‘odious’ to himself same as in here breaking hearts along the way, but he wasn’t without self-knowledge regarding it. All his rascalness made for good tales. People ask, who was Chekhov? Why he’s is this story, minus the murders and others as well. Screwy delivers for him this time as does the main character. Anton wrote about what he knew. He learned young and observed a lot, remembering well and using it even better. More please.

great narration

really enjoyed the story and N. Boulton is one of my favourite narators! Worth your tile

Dark, Disturbing, and Cause for Soul-Searching

Chekhov’s The Shooting Party is like the dark doppelgänger of Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment and now is likewise one of my all-time favorites. One would do well to read the two novels in tandem. TSP is a superb story, though difficult to swallow. Fluid, snappy writing that’s easy to move through, yet a murky, sinister atmosphere that causes much unease. Brilliant work. Will sit with me for a while. Be sure to read it.