In this really rather extraordinary book, masquerading in part as a book of travel, McConkey weaves tales of Chekhov's 1890 jaunt from Moscow to Sakhalin, with insightful commentary on the great Russian writer, and an account of his own sabbatical year in Florence. McConkey's supple, quiet prose is captivating and his ability to re-imagine Chekhov's travels remarkable. Originally published in 1984.  (RUS269, $14.95)