Anton Pavlovich Chekhov 
Wife, and Other Stories 

Translated by Constance Garnett, this collection by Anton Chekhov consists of nine stories: The Wife, Difficult People, The Grasshopper, A Dreary Story, The Privy Councillor, The Man in a Case, Gooseberries, About Love and The Lottery Ticket. In one, a dying man-much esteemed, much feted-dwells on his life and tries to make sense of both the past and whatever future is left to him. In another, a beautiful and vivacious woman marries a quiet, sedate man with whom she is happy for a while, until a more exciting love comes her way. In another, the chance of winning 75, 000 roubles in a lottery sends a man and his wife into a realm of daydreams which swiftly turn unpleasant. (Goodreads)