The Duel

Written by Anton Chekhov

Narrated by Frank Marcopolos

Anton Chekhov (1860-1904) is a Russian writer universally regarded as an all-time master. According to Mikhail Chekhov, while working upon "The Duel," Chekhov periodically met with the zoologist and writer Vladimir Wagner. The two men had extensive conversations, one of which was on the subject of the then-popular idea of "the right of the strong one," which became the basis of the philosophy of the main character of the story, named Von Koren, for whom Wagner apparently served as a basic template.

The story has been twice adapted for the screen, once in 1973 and again in 2010.

Frank Marcopolos is the in-house audiobook narrator for The Bookquarium, whose voice-work has garnered praise from listeners such as:

"You have the perfect reading voice It’s amazing!"

"My goodness! That's the best narration I have ever heard!"

"Pitch, pace, and power in your natural, conversational style... You're the best I've heard."

"Your voice is INCREDIBLE and the tone is quite captivating. Excellent reading. You're a lifesaver!"

"Bravo! Your voice is incredible and you really bring a ton of artistic energy to your readings. Thoroughly enjoyed this and love listening to your work!"

"I enjoyed your interpretation that you showed through your pauses, intonations, tones, etc. I prefer not to listen to any other audiobooks than yours. :)"

This story has been translated by Constance Garnett, and the translation and the text of the story are in the public domain.

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Bookquarium Audio
• Release date: Jul 26, 2021
• ISBN: 9781667025742

Anton Chekhov

Anton Chekhov (1860-1904) was a Russian doctor, short-story writer, and playwright. Born in the port city of Taganrog, Chekhov was the third child of Pavel, a grocer and devout Christian, and Yevgeniya, a natural storyteller. His father, a violent and arrogant man, abused his wife and children and would serve as the inspiration for many of the writer’s most tyrannical and hypocritical characters. Chekhov studied at the Greek School in Taganrog, where he learned Ancient Greek. In 1876, his father’s debts forced the family to relocate to Moscow, where they lived in poverty while Anton remained in Taganrog to settle their finances and finish his studies. During this time, he worked odd jobs while reading extensively and composing his first written works. He joined his family in Moscow in 1879, pursuing a medical degree while writing short stories for entertainment and to support his parents and siblings. In 1876, after finishing his degree and contracting tuberculosis, he began writing for St. Petersburg’s Novoye Vremya, a popular paper which helped him to launch his literary career and gain financial independence. A friend and colleague of Leo Tolstoy, Maxim Gorky, and Ivan Bunin, Chekhov is remembered today for his skillful observations of everyday Russian life, his deeply psychological character studies, and his mastery of language and the rhythms of conversation.