Kubasov A. V. Dramaturgy of A. P. Chekhov: Literary and Theatrical Context. Ekaterinburg – Moscow: Cabinet Scientist, 2026. 344 p.: Book review

Archive of Scientific Articles

ISSUE:

Philology. Theory & Practice. 2026. Volume 19. Issue 9

COLLECTION:

Russian Literature

All issues

Abstract. The review analyzes a monograph comprising articles written over a number of years and organized into three sections, each dedicated to a common theme: the literary and theatrical context of Chekhov’s drama – spanning from his first play, “Platonov” (originally titled “Fatherlessness”), to “The Cherry Orchard”. By carefully selecting a specific analytical angle for each work, the author reveals new layers of meaning in Chekhov’s plays and refutes the view held by his contemporaries that his drama was unstageable, thereby defining its innovative nature. The scholar treats Chekhov’s oeuvre (prose and drama) as a hypertext unified by Chekhovian ethics, a shared poetics, and consistent imagery. The author consistently refers to the writer’s prose as a source of motifs for subsequent plays, providing the monograph with integrity and a unified perspective on Chekhov’s work as a system. The author refines and expands upon concepts such as metatheatricality and dramatic role types (“emplois”), while highlighting the literary and theatrical context of European theater. The monograph is intended for both literary scholars and a general readership.