Celebrated for his realistic characters, dialogue, and situations, Chekhov was inspired by a real-life incident to create this 1896 work that ultimately established him a major dramatist. Between his ambitious literary aspirations and his overpowering love for Nina, a would-be actress, young Konstantin Gavrilovich Trepliov encounters frustration at every turn. A private performance of his play evokes derisive laughter from the audience, and Nina is increasingly drawn to Trigorin, a successful writer and paramour of Trepliov's mother. In despair, Trepliov kills a gull, proffers it to Nina as a symbol of his blasted expectations, and then attempts suicide.

"Unabridged"--Cover.