A Literary Classic by ANTON CHEKHOV.

The Darling and Other Stories by RUSSIAN author ANTON CHEKHOV is a collection of short stories first published in 1916 in the UNITED KINGDOM. The title story of this collection, "The Darling," tells the sad story of a woman who is generous to all yet trapped in a cycle of co-dependency.

'Olenka listened to Kukin with silent gravity, and sometimes tears came into her eyes. In the end his misfortunes touched her; she grew to love him. He was a small thin man, with a yellow face, and curls combed forward on his forehead. He spoke in a thin tenor; as he talked his mouth worked on one side, and there was always an expression of despair on his face; yet he aroused a deep and genuine affection in her. She was always fond of some one, and could not exist without loving.'

Anton Chekhov (1860-1904), a Russian playwright and short story writer, was considered to be one of the greatest writers of the 19th century. He was a key figure of early modernism in the theatre and also wrote hundreds of short stories, while working in his profession as a medical doctor. "The Darling," the title story of this collection, was first published in 1899 in the magazine, Semya (Family), in Moscow. The story follows the life of a woman who is referred to by others as "darling" for her generosity and submissive nature. Everyone calls her "The Darling" because she is generous and supportive; which is seen by adults in the community as a positive trait. However, she is trapped in a cycle of co-dependency.