by Anton Chekhov (Author), Richard Nelson (Translator), Richard Pevear (Translator)

"Mankind used to be busy with wars, filling all its existence with campaigns, raids, victories, but now that has all outlived itself, leaving a huge empty space, and there's nothing to fill it with. But mankind passionately seeks and, of course, will find. If only it could be soon!" ⁠-⁠Vershinin, Act Four, THREE SISTERS

"The play was read in [Chekhov's] presence. He tried to control his indignation and repeated several times, 'But what I have written is a farce.'" ⁠-⁠Nemirovich-Danchenko