By coincidence, I started reading Chekhov's complete short story output[0] a few weeks ago. It is heavy going. I have learned that 19th century Russia was fill

By coincidence, I started reading Chekhov's complete short story output[0] a few weeks ago. It is heavy going. I have learned that 19th century Russia was filled entirely with snow, petty criminals, corrupt officials, more snow, bad vodka, old solders broken by war, horse thieves, racism, typhoid, and snow. [0] http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/57333 http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/57333