Reading ChekhovBy: Janet Malcolm To illuminate the mysterious greatness of Anton Chekhovs writings, Janet Malcolm takes on three roles: literary critic, biographer, and journalist. Her close readings of the stories and plays are interwoven with episodes from Chekhovs life and framed by an account of Malcolms journey to St. Petersburg, Moscow, and Yalta. She writes of Chekhovs childhood, his relationships, his travels, his early success, and his self imposed