While at a party organized by the local landowner for the officers of his brigade, the shy and awkward Ryabovich is suddenly kissed by an unknown woman in a dark room. This unexpected, electrifying encounter, which he relives in his mind day after day, marks a turning point for Ryabovich, showing him that everything in life joy, sorrow, hope is equally pointless and subject to chance. One of Chekhov s most admired stories, The Kiss is joined in this volume by six other celebrated tales in a brand-new translation by Hugh Aplin: The Lady with the Little Dog , Ward Six , The Black Monk , The House with a Mezzanine , The Bishop and Peasants making this an indispensable collection for those wanti