Complete Works of Anton Chekhov

TO MADAME AVILOV.

NICE,

October 6, 1897.

… You complain that my heroes are gloomy — alas! that’s not my fault. This happens apart from my will, and when I write it does not seem to me that I am writing gloomily; in any case, as I work I am always in excellent spirits. It has been observed that gloomy, melancholy people always write cheerfully, while those who enjoy life put their depression into their writings. And I am a man who enjoys life; the first thirty years of my life I have lived as they say in pleasure and content….