The Cherry Orchard
About this ebook
At the turn of the century, Russia is undergoing massive changes. Feudalism has ended, the middle class is growing, and the aristocracy are uncertain of their future . . .
The cherry orchard on the Ranevskaya grounds is known throughout the country for its beauty, but it now sits on the brink of ruin. The entire estate is headed for auction if the family cannot pay off their debts. The land’s fate lies in the hands of the family’s matriarch, Madame Ranevskaya, recently returned from five years in Paris where she wasted away much of her fortunes.
Neither Ranevskaya nor anyone else in her household can fathom the gravity of the situation. But a merchant, the son of a former serf on the land, has an idea . . .
Written in 1903, The Cherry Orchard premiered in Moscow in 1904. It was Chekhov’s last play before his death that same year. Since then, the work has been translated and adapted into numerous languages and performed around the world.About the author
Anton Pavlovich Chekhov (1860–1904) was a Russian doctor, playwright, and author. His best known works include the plays The Seagull (1896), Uncle Vanya (1900), and The Cherry Orchard (1904), and the short stories “The Lady with the Dog,” “Peasants,” and “The Darling.” One of the most influential and widely anthologized writers in Russian history, Chekhov spent most of his career as a practicing physician and devoted much of his energy to treating the poor, free of charge. He died of tuberculosis in 1904.
