Introduction: Finding Insight in Russian Literature

Part One: Chekhov's Artistic Principle

Part Two: Turgenev's Narrative Nuance

Part Three: Tolstoy's Masterful Anecdotes

Part Four: Gogol's Craftmanship on Characterization

Part Five: An Introspection on Reading

Part Six: The Essence of Writing

Conclusion: Lessons about Life and Writing

The book 'A Swim in a Pond in the Rain: In Which Four Russians Give a Master Class on Writing, Reading, and Life' is a guided tour through some of the greatest stories ever written by author George Saunders. It explores what makes great stories work by delving into works of Chekhov, Turgenev, Tolstoy, and Gogol.

non_fiction

essays

A Swim in a Pond in the Rain: In Which Four Russians Give a Master Class on Writing, Reading, and Life